Mother Of Visually Impaired Child Pleads For Exam Papers To Be Offered In Braille

A Maltese mother has appealed for exam papers to be made available in braille after her visually impaired daughter expressed a desire to sit exams like her peers.

Marilena, mother to young Melania, took to social media to highlight what she described as a lack of accessible examination options for visually impaired students.

“Melania strongly shared her wish to have her exam papers Brailled,” Marilena wrote. “She deserves access like any other student, not a workaround. Children shouldn't have to justify their right to access.”

According to Marilena, Melania currently sits all of her exams orally. She said the experience is particularly stressful, comparing it to oral mental maths assessments, which her daughter finds anxiety-inducing.

“The joy she once carried to school is being replaced by worry,” Marilena said. “As a mum, it’s heartbreaking.”

She explained that she has spent years working to make learning accessible for her daughter and fears the current situation is affecting her confidence and enjoyment of school.

Heartbreakingly, Marilena revealed that Melania has begun questioning her blindness and saying she wishes she could see.

“The lack of Brailled exam papers only feeds that feeling further,” she added, renewing her call for greater accessibility in Malta’s education system.

#MaltaDaily