Kuala Lampur, July 16 -- Over the past few months, I have been making regular trips to Methodist College Kuala Lumpur in Brickfields. Directly opposite the college stands the Malaysian Association for the Blind, a familiar landmark that thousands of motorists pass every day. And yet, it is easy not to notice it.

Cars, buses and motorcycles weave through the streets. Pedestrians move quickly towards offices, shops, restaurants and train stations. The rhythm of the area is constant, purposeful and, at times, hurried. It is only when one pauses, even briefly, that another layer of the scene begins to emerge. Amid this movement, I have started to notice visually impaired men and women making their way through the busy neighbourhood, many wal...