ShareKUWAIT: Many Kuwaitis of visual impairment cope with their condition quite well, guided by their enlightened hearts, counting on other senses and various technical and computer systems.
Great credit for aiding this segment of people goes to the French Luis Braille who had invented the Braille language that enabled the sightless people to be much more involved in various fields, productively interacting with others. Abdullah Al-Othaina is a 19-year-old Kuwaiti who is challenging the impairment, aspiring to master computer sciences and cyber security despite some obstacles.
In addition to his studies in English literature and linguistics, Al-Othaina had been enrolled in many courses in computer sciences and programs, revealing, “I am now in the last phase of posting additional programs to the global site, Access NVDA, for the blind. I am also designing a personal aid application identical to Siri system that had been designed for Apple and Amazon, which I will develop for written and vocal conversation,” he said, adding that he done successful initial tests.
Al-Othaina also said that he had contributed to working out an application for currency conversion and games for the blind. As to his condition, the 19-year-old national said he had lost sightedness at birth due to the gene, 1RPGRIP, adding that scientific researches indicate that a treatment to his condition might be found in the future. Describing his condition, Al-Othaina has said that he only sees glimpses of light.
“The picture reaches the eye but not the brain however I have faith that someday I will be able to see,” he said. His fellow citizen, Humoud Mohammad Al-Hojailan, says he is following steps of the late Kuwaiti astronomer, Saleh Al-Ojairi. Al-Hojailan started to develop interest in climatic issues since childhood when his father, a shepherd, used to talk a lot about weather forecast, creating special forms of thunders in his imagination. In 2021, he recalled, the meteorology authorities gave him some weather monitoring devices, thus he had successfully recoded win speed, direction, humidity levels and climatic pressure in Al-Sabbahiya where he had lived. He had also co-established Salem Al-Jalawi meteorological center, documented information about snow falls in Kuwait in January 2016 and served as member in the Kuwait and the Gulf meteorological network.
Al-Hojailan has added that he aspires to set up meteorological monitors throughout Kuwait to aid the state in observing the climate. A third special challenge case is that of Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi, who is particularly attracted to poetry and philosophy.
Al-Otaibi who lost seeing ability accidentally, three months ago, during a surgery can visualize colors and shapes more than his two peers, evidently. His impairment has not left him slack or complacent for he has taken part in the volunteering “resalat mufaheh” that promote causes of persons of special needs, pledging to convey their demands to state officials.”I aspire to acquire a PhD and raise the name of my country Kuwait aloft for it has given me much and I will seek to work as a professor at Kuwait University by Allah’s will,” he said.
Kuwait first adopted the Braille system in 1947, established a special section for the blind at the religious academy, founded the girls’ school for the blind in 1956. In 1958, the ministry of education established a special publishing house for this segment, The Braille system is available at some educational centers, schools and societies throughout Kuwait. — KUNA
