Kazakhstan Makes History with Braille Constitution Publication
The Constitutional Court of Kazakhstan took a significant step towards inclusivity by presenting the Constitution in Braille for the first time. This initiative, supported by the OSCE Program Office in Astana and the Ministry of Culture and Information, aims to make the text of the Basic Law accessible to citizens with significant visual impairments or blindness.
The Braille edition includes translations in both Kazakh and Russian languages using a relief-dot tactile font. These editions will be distributed to 56 institutions, including national and regional libraries, training centers, and specialized schools, to ensure equal access to important legal documents.
Chairwoman Elvira Azimova emphasized the importance of creating an accessible environment to uphold constitutional guarantees of equality before the law and access to justice. The Just Kazakhstan policy underscores the state’s commitment to safeguarding human rights, freedoms, and non-discrimination.
Volker Frobart, Head of the OSCE Program Office in Astana, commended the Constitutional Court’s dedication to human rights values and inclusive approach to providing equal access to information. Kazakhstan, as a signatory of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, is taking steps to ensure the full participation of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of life.
According to the World Health Organization, there are 160,000 visually impaired people in Kazakhstan, with 85,000 individuals classified as blind. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population also reports over 4,000 visually impaired children, including around 350 who are blind.
By publishing the Constitution in Braille, Kazakhstan is advancing its commitment to ensuring that all citizens have equal access to essential legal documents and information, regardless of their visual abilities.
