GAM Braille guide keeps navigation at all citizens’ fingertips

AMMAN — HH Prince Mired Bin Raad, president of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), on Wednesday attended the launch of GAM's Braille guide for people who are blind and visually impaired at City Hall in downtown Amman.

The guide, written in Braille code, features general information about the city and public transport, including details about bus stops. 

"The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) is pleased to announce the launch of GAM's Braille guide, as a part of the Royal directives to facilitate access to services for all citizens of different conditions," said Amman Mayor Yousef Shawarbeh at the launch event.

The mayor said that GAM aims to integrate and address the needs of people with visual impairments, who use GAM's services on a daily basis.

"Citizens who are blind and visually impaired are an active group in the Jordanian society, and they are capable of great influence," Shawarbeh stated.

"As His Majesty the late King Hussein said, ‘man is the most precious thing’, therefore, our support is for all persons with no exception," he stressed.

GAM “continues its path in giving for the sake of humanity” through renewing its accomplishments in human development, GAM Director of Geographic Information Systems Nidal Oqla said at the launch.

GAM has issued the guide in order to enhance the lives of people who are blind and promote a sense of partnership between all citizens, the official added.

The launch was also attended by the ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Jordan, the Saudi consul, GAM members and Nuwara Hamad, a girl who is blind, who read the new guide in front of attendees by touching the raised dots with her fingers.

"I am very proud of this new project and I thank everyone who participated in creating this useful guide," Hamad said.