Established in 1951 by the then Department of Social Welfare to look after the general well-being of blind persons in the country, MAB has since carried out this role and much more. Its activities have extended from Kuala Lumpur to other parts of the country. These include educational programmes, rehabilitation courses, vocational training and placement service. In addition, MAB also runs a Braille library, a "talking" book library, a Braille Publishing Unit, an Information Technology Centre, Resource Centre and a Sale and Production Unit to name a few. Its prevention of blindness programmes are realized through the eye hospital which MAB established in 1986.