The Ministry of Education started delivering a device for translating written text into Braille and vice versa for students at public schools. The first batch of devices was delivered to grade school students in the western city of İzmir and more will be delivered in the coming months.

The device, the size of a tablet computer, enables students to translate computer texts into Braille and translate notes they jotted in Braille to written texts. It also comes preloaded with textbooks and books, internet connection and several apps for education. Its memory card allows storage of up to 300 books and can be connected to personal computers.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Ertan Göv, head of a research and development department at the ministry for special students, said they aimed for equal opportunities in education through the device.

"Visually impaired students had to carry hefty books in Braille to school every day. Now, they can have it all in a small memory card. This will make things easier for students and it will also help them better socialize and integrate. They will not need someone else to read the books for them and they will be able to learn anything they need without help," he said.

Emre Taşgın, a visually-impaired teacher who trains the children on how to use the device, says they used to have to wait for the Braille edition of any book for months but the new technology allows instant translation.

Turkey is home to 1,346 blind students in 36 schools for the visually impaired while 2,722 blind students attend public schools.