Stories from six publishing houses joined an anniversary programme of storytelling, craft workshops and activities introducing families to accessible reading
- Ten titles for children aged three and above mark a new publishing milestone under the Foundation’s Ara initiative
- The launch responds to growing demand for accessible children’s literature and reinforces the Foundation’s decade-long commitment to every child’s right to read
Amna Al Mazmi: “Our ambition is for accessible publishing to become the norm, not the exception. Every child deserves to see themselves as a reader, regardless of how they read.”
Kalimat Foundation marked a decade of championing children’s right to read with the launch of 10 new Braille storybooks at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026), bringing children’s literature from six publishing houses into accessible formats for blind and visually impaired young readers.
The launch reinforced its commitment to ensuring that children who rely on Braille have greater opportunities to discover stories, develop their reading skills and experience the independence that comes with being able to read for themselves.
The anniversary programme began at SIBF, featuring storytelling and craft workshops, inclusive reading activities and opportunities for children and families to learn about accessible reading.
Ten new titles, more stories within reach
The collection, developed in partnership with the Zayed Authority for People of Determination, brings together books for different stages of childhood, from early reading for children aged three and above to stories for readers aged nine and older.
Five titles come from Kalimat Group: The House of Wisdom, Did You Know?, When My Hat Broke, A Twinkling Star and I’m Not Afraid to Explore.
The remaining five titles are Perai and the Island of White Cotton from Altafarud Design and Publishing Services; Extend a Bridge of Love from Rabie Publishing House; Friendship Bows from HudHud Publishing and Distribution; Mariam and the Stars from Wow for Publishing & Educational Services; and Peter Pan from Thaqafa Publishing and Distribution.
Developed under the Foundation’s flagship Ara initiative, meaning “I See” in Arabic, the collection responds to a need identified by specialists and organisations supporting blind and visually impaired children for a wider selection of accessible storybooks, particularly amid logistical challenges affecting the availability and distribution of Braille publications. Beyond supporting literacy and education, the initiative recognises that children with visual impairments deserve the same opportunities as their peers to choose stories, explore different worlds through literature and develop a lifelong relationship with reading.
A decade of making the right to read a reality
Amna Al Mazmi, Director of Kalimat Foundation, said: “Marking ten years means little unless we can show what we are doing for the children who are still waiting to find books they can read. These ten titles are not simply anniversary publications; they represent ten more opportunities for children to choose their own stories, develop confidence and experience the joy of reading independently.
“Our ambition is for accessible publishing to become the norm, not the exception. For the past decade, we have worked to remove the barriers that prevent children from accessing books, and this anniversary is an opportunity to renew that responsibility. Every child deserves to see themselves as a reader, regardless of how they read.”
Stories, crafts and shared reading
At its stand, Kalimat Foundation organised a series of storytelling and craft workshops led by storyteller Haytham Shokry. The programme included dedicated sessions for blind and visually impaired children alongside inclusive workshops welcoming children with and without visual impairments and their sighted peers. Through stories and creative activities, participants had opportunities to listen, express themselves and engage with stories together.
Kalimat Foundation also honoured three young readers from “National Charity Private School – Sharjah” at its stand for their outstanding participation in its summer reading campaign, “United by Stories”. The students were selected following a reading activity in which participants received book packs and submitted reports sharing their reviews and reflections. The recognition reflected the initiative’s aim to encourage children to explore stories and develop a lasting connection with books.
The Foundation’s participation also featured the Kalimat Foundation × eL Seed merchandise collection, with all proceeds supporting the Pledge a Library initiative to expand children’s access to books and learning resources.
Connecting accessible publishing with practical action
Alongside its activities for children and families, Kalimat Foundation contributed to the professional programme surrounding the fair through two accessible publishing sessions organised by the Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association (ERRA).
At the Sharjah International Publishers Conference, the Foundation took part in a panel discussion that highlighted the UAE’s experience in implementing the Marrakesh Treaty and explored opportunities to expand collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Accessible Books Consortium (ABC). The session examined how publishers could consider accessibility from the outset and expand the availability of Arabic-language content for readers who require accessible formats.
Building on these discussions, the Foundation also participated in a roundtable at SIBF that introduced the ABC Global Book Service and demonstrated an AI-assisted tool for converting content into accessible formats. Together, the sessions connected the Foundation’s work with children to wider industry efforts to improve how accessible books are produced and made available.
Expanding access to books
Established in Sharjah in 2016 by H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Chairperson of Kalimat Foundation, the organisation works to ensure that children facing displacement, disadvantage and visual disabilities can access books and knowledge.
Through Ara, the Foundation supports access to reading materials in formats suited to blind and visually impaired children. Its Pledge a Library initiative provides portable libraries of Arabic-language children’s books to underserved communities, helping young readers maintain a connection with their language and culture.