International Islamic University Malaysia
Touch2Read: Empowering Stem Literacy Through Braille & Tactile Innovation
Finalist, Student engagement
About
Touch2Read is a transdisciplinary service-learning initiative at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) designed to empower blind and visually impaired (BVI) students with accessible STEM education. Addressing a critical gap where 92 percent of surveyed special education teachers lacked sufficient tactile resources, 47 undergraduate volunteers collaborated with 13 teachers to convert standard STEM textbooks into customized Braille and tactile diagrams. Enriched by the lived experiences of IIUM’s own BVI students and backed by diverse funding partners, this project produced curriculum-aligned materials using low-cost methods to provide to schools for free. The initiative profoundly impacted both the community and the campus; participating teachers reported improved teaching delivery, while volunteers’ understanding of BVI learning challenges skyrocketed from 34 percent to 96 percent. Touch2Read exemplifies a high-impact, replicable model for championing inclusive education.
Top 3 learnings
- We learned direct community engagement drastically increases our students' awareness of inclusive education challenges.
- We found that involving teachers during material development ensures resources align with classroom instruction.
- We discovered hands-on service learning effectively builds practical skills in creating accessible tactile resources.
Sustainable Development Goals
| 2026 | |
| Student engagement | |
| Finalist, International |
