Automated conversion of text into inclusive Braille within in the same document

Boltay Huroof developed software that prints ink and Braille together and converts Arabic, English, Urdu and other texts into Braille. It halves Braille production time. Since 2022 it made 300,000 documents, reached 500 users, worked with 10 schools and six banks, earning $100,000.

Boltay Huroof is a Pakistan-based NGO founded by local educators and activists to promote literacy and creative expression among underprivileged children in Karachi. Its digital assistive software automates the conversion of printed and digital text into inclusive Braille, allowing individuals with and without visual disabilities to read from the same document.

Problems Targeted

Pakistan's 330,000 school-age children with visual disabilities have less than 5 percent access to course books in accessible formats such as Braille.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

Boltay Huroof has developed inclusive Braille technology that prints ink and Braille together, line by line. The Boltay Huroof software is used to translate digital text, including Arabic, English, Urdu, and other regional languages, into Braille. Another software module can then print both standard text and Braille on the same page. This software allows a diverse group of users – including visually impaired individuals, educators, parents, and organizations such as schools and banks – to access and produce accessible materials. Visually impaired people can use it to independently read everything from educational textbooks to official financial forms, while sighted individuals can use the same documents to teach or provide services, fostering a more inclusive environment. Boltay Huroof’s software reduces Braille production time by half, and it supports tactile graphics, particularly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. It is designed to work with traditional Braille embossers and printers, but also works with digital documents, seamlessly integrating with common Braille-Line-Readers and other assistive technologies. Since 2022, Boltay Huroof has produced over 300,000 Braille documents and reached 500 users, partnering with 10 schools by 2025. In 2024, Boltay Huroof partnered with six major banks to improve financial inclusion, generating $100,000 in revenue and reducing usability issues by 40 percent based on feedback from 300+ users.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

From 2021 to mid-2025, Boltay Huroof generated a budget of PKR 21 million ($73,000), with 70 percent coming from commercial services (Braille documents, books, and software licenses), and 30 percent from grants. Endorsement by the National Textbook Board enables expansion within Pakistan’s public sector infrastructure and beyond. (#ZeroCall26)

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