Vodacom launches Braille versions of key consumer documents

Mobile network and telecommunications company, Vodacom Lesotho has launched Braille versions of its Consumer Protection Code and Impact Booklet, a move aimed at improving access and inclusion for visually impaired individuals.

The unveiling, which took place in Maseru this week, follows consultations with disability organisations last November. During these discussions, stakeholders highlighted the barriers visually impaired persons face in accessing telecommunications services and information.

Vodacom Lesotho CEO Mohale Ralebitso said the Braille documents are a direct response to recommendations from these consultations.

“A key request was the translation of vital documents such as the Consumer Protection Code into Braille to enable consumers to independently understand their rights and responsibilities,” Ralebitso said. “At Vodacom, we believe in the power of connection to transform lives.”

He noted that the initiative is not a mere compliance effort but a reflection of the company’s commitment to inclusion through its ‘Further Together’ promise.

“This is about ensuring that our visually impaired customers journey with us and are not left behind,” Ralebitso pointed out.

He also indicated that the project aligns with Vodacom’s broader ‘Connecting for a Better Future’ philosophy, which underscores the importance of empowering all communities, including persons with disabilities, as essential to Lesotho’s social and economic development.

The initiative has been welcomed by advocacy groups. The Lesotho National Federation of Organisations of the Disabled (LNFOD) praised the move, stressing that access to information is central to full citizenship.

The Lesotho National League of the Visually Impaired Persons (LNLVIP) also expressed its appreciation, describing the availability of these materials in Braille as a ‘substantial positive change’ for visually impaired persons.

Ralebitso stated that the launch is part of Vodacom Lesotho’s ongoing efforts to improve accessibility across all services and communication channels.

The Braille documents, available in both English and Sesotho, will be distributed at Vodacom Lesotho retail outlets nationwide and at the offices of LNFOD and LNLVIP.