BEAU Project
The Braille Education and Accessibility Unit (BEAU)
A Centre of Excellence within The Malta Trust Foundation.
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About the Project
The Malta Trust Foundation has consistently demonstrated its commitment to promoting inclusion, empowerment and equal opportunities through innovative programmes that improve quality of life and strengthen community participation.
As Malta continues to advance its commitment to inclusive education and the rights of persons with disabilities, there remains a clear need for a coordinated national resource dedicated to braille education, accessibility and independent living for persons who are blind or visually impaired.
While Braille remains the foundation of literacy for many people with visual impairment, true inclusion extends far beyond the ability to read and write.
Equal participation in education, employment and community life also depends on accessible environments, independent mobility, inclusive educational practices, accessible information, assistive technologies and an informed society.
The establishment of the Braille Education and Accessibility Unit (BEAU) within The Malta Trust Foundation will address these needs through a holistic and collaborative approach.
BEAU will serve as the Foundation's dedicated Centre of Excellence for braille education, accessibility, independent living and inclusion, bringing together specialist expertise, lived experience and strategic partnerships to improve opportunities and outcomes for persons who are blind or visually impaired throughout Malta.
Initially established through a focused two-person specialist team, BEAU will be designed as a scalable programme capable of evolving into a nationally recognised centre supporting education, accessibility, research, professional development and policy development.
Vision & Mission
Vision
To establish BEAU as Malta's leading Centre of Excellence for Braille Education and Accessibility, enabling persons who are blind or visually impaired to participate independently, confidently and equally in every aspect of society.
Mission
To promote braille literacy, accessible communication, independent living and inclusive environments through education, training, accessibility services, resource development, advocacy, research and collaboration, supporting individuals, families, educators, organisations and public authorities in creating a more accessible Malta.
Strategic Objectives
Braille Literacy
Promote braille literacy across all stages of life, in particular with Children and Young People.
Inclusive Education
Support inclusive education through specialist teaching, accessible resources and educator training.
Accessibility
Improve accessibility within education, employment, public services and community life.
Independent Mobility
Promote independent mobility and confidence through awareness, guidance and specialist partnerships.
Public Understanding
Increase public understanding of blindness, visual impairment and accessibility.
National Capacity
Build national capacity through professional training and resource development.
Organisational Support
Support organisations in implementing inclusive and accessible practices.
Innovation & Research
Foster innovation, collaboration and research in accessibility and inclusive education.
Policy Development
Contribute to the development of national policies and accessibility standards affecting persons with visual impairment.
The Five Accessibility Pillars of BEAU
1. Educational Accessibility
- Braille literacy programmes.
- Early intervention and braille readiness.
- Curriculum adaptation.
- Accessible examinations.
- Inclusive teaching resources.
- Training for educators and Learning Support Educators.
- Family support and educational transition planning.
2. Physical Accessibility and Independent Mobility
- Promoting orientation and mobility skills.
- Facilitating white cane training through qualified specialists and strategic partnerships.
- Providing guidance and support for individuals considering or using guide dogs, including referral pathways and awareness programmes.
- Supporting independent travel using public transport and community services.
- Promoting accessible wayfinding systems.
- Advocating for tactile paving, accessible crossings and pedestrian safety.
- Encouraging inclusive design within public buildings and open spaces.
3. Information and Communication Accessibility
- Braille transcription.
- Large print and tactile materials.
- Accessible digital documents.
- Tactile graphics and diagrams.
- Accessible publications.
- Guidance on inclusive communication practices.
- Support for organisations in producing accessible information.
4. Digital and Technological Accessibility
- Raising awareness of assistive technologies.
- Supporting access to screen readers, refreshable braille displays and accessible mobile technologies.
- Promoting digital accessibility standards.
- Providing guidance on accessible websites and digital services.
- Encouraging innovation through emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
5. Social Inclusion and Community Accessibility
- Delivering awareness programmes in schools.
- Providing disability confidence training.
- Supporting employers to develop accessible workplaces.
- Promoting accessible tourism, museums and cultural heritage.
- Organising community awareness campaigns.
- Celebrating World Braille Day, International White Cane Day and other relevant awareness initiatives.
- Supporting volunteering and peer mentoring.
- Encouraging active participation in sport, recreation and community life.
Accessibility in the Maltese Context
BEAU will work collaboratively with government entities, local councils, educational institutions, transport providers, employers, disability organisations and community partners to address accessibility challenges that are particularly relevant to Malta.
It will also seek collaboration with international organisations.
These include improving the accessibility of public buildings and open spaces, promoting tactile paving and consistent wayfinding, supporting accessible public transport and ferry services, encouraging the provision of braille and tactile signage, promoting digital accessibility across public and private services, strengthening inclusive educational practices and contributing to more accessible tourism, heritage sites and cultural experiences.
The Unit will also advocate for universal design principles and provide practical guidance that enables organisations to remove barriers before they arise, rather than responding only after obstacles have been identified.
Through collaboration, training and evidence-based practice
- Improving the accessibility of public buildings and open spaces.
- Promoting tactile paving and consistent wayfinding.
- Supporting accessible public transport and ferry services.
- Encouraging the provision of braille and tactile signage.
- Promoting digital accessibility across public and private services.
- Strengthening inclusive educational practices.
- Contributing to more accessible tourism, heritage sites and cultural experiences.
- Advocating for universal design principles.
- Providing practical guidance that enables organisations to remove barriers before they arise.