Viviana Mall, the only in India to have a library for the visually impaired

by Suman Gupta

Online library introduced on the occasion of World Braille Day

Jan. 3, Mumbai: Viviana Mall has become India’s only mall to have opened an online Braille library within its premises for the visually impaired.

On the occasion of World Braille Day on Saturday, Viviana Mall announced the introduction of #BrailleLibraryAtViviana or online library at its Xavier’s Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC)-Viviana Extension, Thane.

The latest feature has been made possible by accessing books available with XRCVC and Sugamya Pustakalaya.

Now, a collection of over 3.45 lakh books can be accessed at XRCVC-Viviana Extension.

Ms. Rima Kirtikar, Chief Marketing Officer, Viviana Mall said, “Viviana Mall is India’s first mall to be visually challenged friendly. Now, we have gone a step further and become India’s first and only mall to have a library for the visually impaired.”

In India, less than 10% of visually challenged children are privileged to receive a formal education. Secondly, almost 90% of the visually impaired population is below the poverty line, who do not have access to education.

Viviana Mall believes in inclusiveness, which is why it is not only India’s first visually impaired friendly mall but also responsible towards differently-abled people. The mall has tied up with PANKH – Wings of Destiny (a joint initiative of TRRAIN and Youth4Jobs Foundation) to provide employment to the differently-abled within the mall.

As part of Corporate Social Responsibility, Viviana Mall has also started registering volunteers who would want to assist visually impaired for the upcoming Board and University examinations.

“Those who would want to be part of a larger cause can approach us to register themselves in assisting to convert novels, magazines, textbooks, etc. into Braille books. Viviana Mall has set up a conversion facility at XRCVC-Viviana Extension and we invite shoppers to be part of this noble cause. Their initiative will help hundreds of visually impaired to get their hands on on new literature, helping them increase their knowledge,” said Ms. Kirtikar.

Those willing to be exam assistants and take up conversion project may approach the information desk at the mall’s atrium.

ABOUT VIVIANA MALL: Viviana Mall, a well-known ‘Destination Mall’, was built to give an experience to its audience. Encompassing one million square feet, Viviana Mall covers over 250 leading brands in its prime retail and leisure space. Established in 2013, the mall is India’s first and only visually impaired friendly mall and has also launched “XRCVC-Viviana Extension” a resource centre for visually impaired.

ABOUT XAVIER’S RESOURCE CENTRE FOR THE VISUALLY CHALLENGED: The XRCVC is an integral part and department of St. Xavier’s College. It was started in 2003 as an effort to ensure an inclusive environment at St. Xavier’s College, one of the most well-known educational institutions in the country, for its students with blindness and low vision. Having created an inclusive set-up for its own students, keeping with the college’s long tradition of creating social impact within the larger community, the XRCVC has today become a national advocacy and support centre for the blind and low-vision across the city and the country.

ABOUT SUGAMYA PUSTAKALAYA :Sugamya Pustakalaya is a facilitating platform for producers of accessible content to jointly work in producing and providing accessible books to people with print disabilities. Publishers can also collaborate with Sugamya Pustakalaya to publish their content in accessible formats.