Challenges And Development Of The ILMAN Innovative For Arabic Language Leaning As A Foreign Language For Individuals With Visual Impairments

Persons with disabilities (PWD) are often perceived as a burden to society due to the considerable resources required to meet their needs. Misconceptions ignore abilities, hinder investment unlocking their talents. Mastering a foreign language fosters self-reliance, enhances employability, and creates opportunities for participation in local and global contexts. For individuals with visual impairments (VI), language acquisition is particularly significant as it grants access to knowledge, facilitates social interaction, and supports career advancement. The objectives of this study are to identify the challenges and develop an innovative of Arabic language learning (ILMAN) for visually impaired learners. with emphasis on innovation (I), inclusive leaning (L), multimedia (M) support, flexible accessibility (A-anywhere), and continuous engagement (N-nonstop). These dimensions are combined to establish a sustainable framework that addresses learners’ needs. Assistive technologies such as electronic Braille displays, screen readers, and audio resources are crucial in overcoming barriers. The research adopted a qualitative design and was conducted in Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh, Malaysia. Eight participants with visual impairments were selected using purposive and snowball sampling, ensuring representation of diverse experiences. Data were collected through interviews and analyzed thematically to identify challenges and effective strategies. The results of themes show that access to learning materials (20.6%) is the most critical issue, reflecting the shortage of Braille resources. Religious-based methods such as memorisation and talaqqi remain dominant (27.3%), indicating that Arabic Language Learning (ALL) for blind students is still largely centred on religious practice. At the same time, Braille displays and teacher support (40%) highlight the importance of assistive technology and motivation, with the ILMAN innovation concept offering an inclusive and flexible solution. This is expected to assist visually impaired learners in developing spoken Arabic communication skills. Future studies are encouraged to expand these practices and assess their application across other languages and contexts.