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Kuala Lumpur, 16April 2025 – Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Astro, and the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) have joined forces to launch a significant new program targeted at assisting blind and visually impaired children throughout Malaysia. Unveiled at a specially curated Hari Raya Open House celebration, the campaign marks the beginning of a nationwide volunteer movement committed to producing 5,000 hours of high-quality audiobook content by 2026.
While the festive gathering served as a joyous celebration of unity, it also spotlighted a critical and often overlooked challenge - access to reading materials for visually impaired children. This collaboration goes far beyond a single event. It is a clarion call to action for Malaysians from all walks of life to contribute their time, talent, and voices toward building a more inclusive society.
The campaign addresses a pressing need in the educational landscape. Despite Malaysia's progress in supporting inclusive education, students with visual impairments continue to face substantial disadvantages due to a shortage of accessible learning tools. With over 2,600 blind or partially sighted children enrolled in schools across the country, the majority of whom live in Klang Valley, Selangor, and Penang, the demand for braille and audio-formatted materials greatly surpasses the present supply.
Less than 15% of essential schoolbooks and academic texts are available in accessible formats, leaving many students reliant on teachers or family members to read aloud - a practice that can stifle independence, reduce confidence, and impede learning outcomes.
By tapping into the strength of volunteerism and the power of voice, this audiobook movement empowers these students to learn at their own pace, in their own space. It also fosters a love for storytelling, giving children access not only to academic materials but to the imaginative worlds found in literature and folklore.
To bring this vision to life, employees from TCS and Astro have begun recording curated content for use in schools, libraries, and community centres. Now, the movement is opening its doors to the public. All Malaysians - individuals, NGOs, and corporates are invited to participate. Narration in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin, and Tamil is highly encouraged to ensure broad reach and cultural inclusivity.
Volunteers can either record from home or use the professional facilities at MAB’s Brickfields headquarters. Thanks to MAB’s legal standing as one of only two organisations in Malaysia authorised to reproduce copyrighted materials in audio format, the recordings will be distributed lawfully and widely, ensuring maximum impact without legal barriers.
To accelerate production, TCS and Astro are exploring the integration of AI-driven voice solutions. While conventional audiobook production can take up to 20 hours per title, advancements in machine learning and voice cloning could significantly streamline the process, allowing human narrators to focus on nuanced, emotive storytelling while technology handles more routine narration.
The Hari Raya Open House, where the campaign was launched, was a celebration of unity and creativity. The event was inclusive and family-friendly, with interactive games, listening booths provided by Astro Radio, and upbeat performances by a combination of Astro artists and visually impaired musicians. The environment was one of excitement and common purpose, showcasing how art and empathy can span cultures.
Quote from Dato George Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, MAB: [“The Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) is pleased to collaborate with TCS and Astro on this meaningful campaign to make books more accessible to the visually impaired community in Malaysia. While MAB is the leading producer of textbooks for students in mainstream schools, we are committed to meeting the growing need and demand for a wider range of accessible reading & content materials.”]
Quote from Jeevan Rajoo, Country Head, TCS Malaysia: ["We invite the nation to join us in recording 5,000 hours of audio books for the visually impaired in Malaysia. This community faces significant challenges, from inaccessible education materials to limited employment opportunities. Together with Astro, our initiative involves humanising technology that aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 10 and 4, promoting reduced inequality and inclusive quality education. By providing accessible learning resources, TCS aims to bridge the knowledge gap and empower visually impaired individuals to flourish and reach their full potential, fostering a more equitable society for all."]
Quote from Euan Daryl Smith, Group Chief Executive Officer, Astro: [Astro is a proud champion of inclusivity and accessibility. Every Malaysian story should be enjoyed by all individuals regardless of abilities, and we’re committed to elevating content accessibility. Our recent launch of the first-ever local drama with audio description enhanced the viewing experience for the visually impaired community on TV and OTT streaming platforms. Innovations like these and championing this audiobook initiative underscores our commitment to ensure everyone can enjoy the magic of storytelling.]
This is more than just a CSR initiative; it is a nation-building endeavour that encourages every Malaysian to become a voice for change. Volunteers who donate their time and voices help children learn while also opening doors to imagination, independence, and opportunity.
To join this extraordinary movement, email [email protected] and request an audition guide and recording instructions. Together, we can turn the page towards a more inclusive future, one audiobook at a time.
