From aviation boardrooms to Braille storybooks, the founder of Special North is on a mission to inspire young minds, champion inclusion and ensure that every child has the opportunity to dream beyond limitations.
By Shereen Shabnam
Some encounters leave a lasting impression, not because of the professional achievements of the person sitting across from you, but because of the passion and purpose behind their work. My recent meeting with Aida Ismail in Dubai was one such experience.
As we discussed her journey in aviation and her latest venture, Special North, I found myself particularly drawn to her commitment to children with special educational needs. Her determination to make learning accessible through Braille, audiobooks, sign language and other inclusive formats was both inspiring and thought-provoking.
Here was a woman who had spent more than two decades building a successful career in aviation, yet was now using that experience to address something far more personal and meaningful: ensuring that children, regardless of their abilities, have access to the same opportunities to learn, imagine and aspire.
What impressed me most was the simplicity of the idea behind her ambitious initiative. Why should a visually impaired child miss out on the excitement of discovering aviation? Why should a child with hearing difficulties be excluded from educational storytelling? And why should children have to wait until their teenage years to discover the fascinating career possibilities within aerospace?
These are precisely the barriers that Aida hopes to address through Special North.
Beyond Aviation: A Mission with Purpose
Aida Ismail is no stranger to the international aviation industry. With more than 21 years of experience spanning Asia, New Zealand, Australia and the Middle East, she has established herself as an experienced aviation professional. She currently serves as Managing Director of Executive Aviation (M) Sdn Bhd and sits on the Board of Governors of the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA).
Her professional journey has given her valuable insight into the industry’s growing need for skilled talent and the importance of nurturing future generations. However, what makes her story particularly interesting is how she has connected this industry challenge with a broader commitment to education and inclusion.
Through Special North, Aida is introducing children aged four to nine to aviation and aerospace concepts through creative storytelling and interactive learning. Her belief is that curiosity should be encouraged early, when young minds are naturally eager to explore, question and discover the world around them.
The initiative also responds to a significant industry challenge. According to Boeing’s long-term workforce projections cited by Special North, commercial aviation will require more than 2.4 million new personnel by 2045, including pilots, maintenance technicians and cabin crew. Aida’s approach is to begin inspiring potential future talent long before children start making formal career decisions.
The Beauty of Learning Through Touch
Of all the aspects of Special North that we discussed, it was the commitment to Braille education that resonated most strongly with me.
We often take the simple pleasure of reading a beautifully illustrated children’s book for granted. Yet for a child with visual impairment, the experience of discovering a story can depend entirely on whether that story has been made accessible.
Special North is working to address this through its range of educational materials, including Braille and electronic Braille formats. For a visually impaired child, being able to explore a story through touch represents far more than an alternative reading method. It provides access to knowledge, imagination and the confidence that comes from being included.
The initiative also incorporates audiobooks and sign language videos, recognising that children learn and experience the world in different ways. This inclusive approach particularly impressed me because it does not treat accessibility as an optional addition. Instead, it places inclusion at the heart of the educational experience.Aida’s vision recognises that a child’s potential should never be defined by a disability or restricted by the limitations of conventional learning resources.
Where Storytelling Meets Science
At the centre of Special North is Sunny’s Aviation Adventure Series, a collection of 20 aviation-themed storybook titles designed to make complex scientific concepts engaging and accessible to young readers.
Through imaginative characters and adventures, children are introduced to the principles of flight, aerodynamics, engineering and aerospace technology. The series combines storytelling with STEAM education, bringing together science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics in a way that encourages curiosity rather than overwhelming young learners with technical information.
The concept is particularly appealing because it allows children to explore subjects traditionally associated with older students through an enjoyable and familiar medium.
For some, these books may simply provide an entertaining introduction to aviation. For others, they could inspire an interest that eventually develops into a career in engineering, aerospace technology or another specialised field. More importantly, the availability of accessible formats means that children of determination can participate in these discoveries alongside their peers.
Creating Opportunities Through Collaboration
Aida’s ambitions for Special North extend beyond publishing educational books. The initiative also seeks to work with airlines, aircraft manufacturers, airports and other organisations interested in supporting education and social inclusion.
Through corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) partnerships, Special North offers opportunities for co-branded inflight entertainment kits, educational workshops and community outreach programmes. Its Buy-1-Give-1 initiative is designed to help extend access to educational materials, connecting corporate participation with meaningful community benefits.
For aviation organisations, such collaborations offer an opportunity to engage with future generations while supporting a more inclusive approach to education. They also demonstrate how corporate responsibility can move beyond traditional sponsorships towards initiatives that contribute to long-term social development.
Aida’s experience in aviation gives her an understanding of how industry partnerships can help connect educational ambitions with practical opportunities.
A Lasting Impression
As our meeting in Dubai came to an end, I found myself reflecting on the children who could benefit from initiatives such as Special North. A young child discovering the wonders of flight through a Braille storybook. Another experiencing an aviation adventure through an audiobook. A child who is deaf or hard of hearing following the same story through sign language.
Different experiences, different abilities, but the same opportunity to learn and imagine. For me, this is where the real significance of Aida’s work lies. While the aviation industry may benefit from inspiring a new generation of talent, the greater achievement is creating educational opportunities that recognise the value and potential of every child.
