Lebanese inventor Nora Ali Al-Maarabi won the gold medal and the special excellence award from the World Intellectual Property Organization for Inventors for her invention "PuzzBlocks." This invention uniquely allows blind individuals and those with limited mobility or who are wheelchair-bound to participate in learning programming using block-based languages like "Scratch" and "Pictoblox" from their seats directly to the teacher's screen, individually or collaboratively. It consists of twenty interconnected blocks, operated with a wireless mouse and featuring Braille writing for the visually impaired.
It is noteworthy that Al-Maarabi, who specializes in educational technology and serves as the secretary of the Educational Technology Syndicate in Lebanon, stated during her presentation and defense of her invention that this invention is a gift for the blind and disabled on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. She emphasized that they have the right to keep pace with advancements in knowledge, enabling them to use these simple innovations as tools to demonstrate their strong will and determination, even in the most advanced technological subjects. This participation aims to transform them into knowledge producers, equipping them with advanced job opportunities, achieving digital justice, and empowering their ability to innovate. Additionally, she hopes to inspire others to register patents nationally and globally, contributing modestly to restoring Lebanon's position on the global innovation index and encouraging the youth to engage positively with their dreams and scientific and humanitarian ideas.
