KUALA LUMPUR: As Malaysia advances its digital agenda, Putrajaya remains guided by the principle that a digital nation is only truly successful when everyone can participate in it.
So said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo who added that accessibility cannot be treated as an afterthought.
“It must be embedded into the way we design our technologies, our services and our policies” said Gobind.
“This vision aligns closely with the aspirations of Malaysia Madani, which places inclusivity, compassion and shared prosperity at the heart of nation-building.”
Gobind said this at the launch of the Global Accessibility Awareness Day and Be My Eyes mobile application.
He added that technology is a powerful force for empowerment.
“Through the National AI Office (NAIO), we are working to ensure that artificial intelligence is developed and deployed responsibly, ethically and inclusively.
“We are not just looking at AI as an economic driver, but as a social equaliser. Our goal is to leverage these advanced technologies to intentionally dismantle the daily challenges faced by persons with disabilities.”
“We see tremendous, life-changing potential for AI and digital technologies to completely redefine accessibility. Innovations such as computer vision can instantly translate the visual world into audio for the visually impaired.”
Government data showed there were over 736,000 registered persons with disabilities in 2023. The number increased to 844,000 as of May this year, with over 69,000 of them having eyesight disability.
“These numbers remind us that accessibility is not a niche issue, because it affects hundreds of thousands of Malaysians and their families. The Be My Eyes application is a powerful example of how technology can create meaningful impact.”
Gobind added smart digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven navigation can map out barrier-free routes in real-time, allowing individuals with physical disabilities to navigate our cities with confidence and total independence.
“Through the AI Untuk Rakyat programme, we have taken proactive steps to bridge the digital gap. More Malaysians, including persons with disabilities and their caregivers, are now able to understand, are empowered and can use AI technology for free.”
He also called upon the Malaysian Association for the Blind to collaborate with the ministry and other stakeholders to advance digital accessibility nationwide.
“Accessibility is not about seeing limitations. It is about seeing possibilities, recognising that every individual has talents, aspirations and contributions to make.
“When we make opportunities accessible, we unlock more human potential. And when we unlock more human potential, we are building a holistic Malaysia for everyone,” he added.
