Reading is one of the most basic modes of exploration of the world outside each of our contexts. For the visually challenged this exploration becomes a tedious task. However tools exist to help them overcome the challenge – computers with specialized software that can read electronic versions of books and other written material such as study notes or news papers. This basic human right of access to the written word is overshadowed by the book draught of lack of accessible books
People with print disabilities are those who cannot read standard print because of
1. Visually Impaired: Blind or Legally Blind
2. Learning Disabled :Individuals with specific language learning impairment and IEP needing text modifications
3. Physically Challenged: Cannot hold a book or turn pages
These Disabilities are certified by appropriate governmental authorities
There are over 10 million Visually Impaired (VI) persons in India and many more print disabled person in the country who cannot access hard copy books and material.
Traditionally they have relied on human readers to access hard copies. Today a host of advanced assistive technologies are available for them. However for the technologies to work one of the biggest hurdles is the lack of availability of books in accessible formats.
The range of assistive technologies that exist include the following:
a. Talking Book and special DAISY Books
b. Screen reading software
c. OCR Software
d. Reading machines
e. Refreshable Braille Displays
f. Screen Magnifiers / Large Print
g. Audio Conversion Devices
Each of these help the print disabled convert the hard copy inaccessible book into a version of their choice- Audio/Braille/Large Font. These technologies help the print disabled to read independently without any reliance on readers.
Internationally in over 121 countries including the US, UK, Canada, Japan, the EU and many others the Copyright Laws have been amended to permit print disabled individuals and organisations working with them to convert hard copy material into accessible formats for the use of print disabled.
In India the Copyright Act, 1957 is yet to bring in the appropriate amendment. Organisations like the Xavier’s Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC), DFI are collectively working to amend this law. In the mean time it leaves us in the current situation where the only way that organisations can work towards creating accessible content is by seeking permission from copyright holders for each of their works.
Internationally innovative successful e-library models such as Bookshare.org. have been working to bridge the gap of the print disabled as also the use and creation of material in specialized formats such as DAISY. DAISY is a specialized format that allows the print disabled a synchronization of audio, text and images. It also allows for easy and special navigation options by which the print disabled can access a book in just about the same way as the sighted access their hard copy books.
In India, we have recently launched the Daisy Forum of India (DFI) the DAISY Forum of India (DFI) is a network of organisations working with the Print disabled in India
Further DFI and Bookshare India have finalized a partnership to setup an e-library sharing model for India. Some Publishers who have already partnered with us are – Seth Publications, University Press, Orient Longman, Scholastic, Harper Collins, etc. And others are at an advanced stage of tie-up.
What we are therefore proposing is if upon request the publishers and copyright holders can help us either get the e-books or give us permission to convert the books into accessible formats.
One of the biggest concerns that the publishing lobby has expressed is that of piracy.
Our response to the same is that whilst we do not condone piracy, those who wish to pirate books are doing so even now. It will cost far less to Xerox a book in India than create and access the specialized e-copies we are talking about.
Further we are committed to ensuring publisher rights and hence enough technological and other safeguards will be put to prevent misuse.
Also in order to address this concern the DFI- Bookshare partnership would like to sign formal agreements with copyright holders by which we ratify that the books will be used only by print disabled persons. Both DFI and Bookshare would ensure through its channels that the books are distributed only to print disabled persons and in many cases in special formats which the larger sighted community may never use.
Our claim is not to undermine the interest of the copyright holders or publishers. Our only question is can we deny the print disabled in the country their basic rights only because we fear piracy?
We firmly believe that given the will, with advancement in technology and adequate applicability of safety measures the rights of the print disabled can be guaranteed without compromising anyone's interest.
You may write either to Mr Dipendra Manocha at dipendra.manocha@gmail.com Or to Dr Sam Taraporevala, Director, XRCVC at sam@xrcvc.org