Braille Library

Within Al-Shurooq School, there is a library section housing an extensive collection of Braille-printed books. These cover elementary educational materials and a wide range of literature on various topics, all tailored for individuals with visual impairments.

The National Society for the Visually Handicapped (NSFVH) has been committed to producing Arabic and English Braille books since its establishment in Jerusalem in 1962. In 1996, recognizing the need to expand accessibility, NSFVH opened a library branch in Beit Jala. This step aimed to provide better access to visually impaired individuals in the southern regions of the West Bank, eliminating the challenges of traveling to Jerusalem.

To bolster its services, NSFVH introduced a computerized Braille book production unit. This unit plays a pivotal role in converting Arabic and English texts into Braille format. The process involves typing the original text on a computer, using specialized software to transform it into Braille, and then printing it on specific Braille paper. Each book undergoes meticulous revision and editing to ensure accuracy and quality.

The library offers book-borrowing services for a small fee throughout the school year, striving to make these resources more accessible. Additionally, it collaborates with various institutions to prepare and print essential Braille books, stories, and documents, utilizing specialized machinery for this purpose. Going beyond its regular duties, the library conducts training courses in Braille printing, extending this knowledge to interested parents and community members.