Blind Foundation celebrates Marrakesh Treaty announcement

Blind Foundation celebrates Marrakesh Treaty announcement

The Blind Foundation is thrilled that Kiwis can now have their say on whether New Zealand should join a treaty aimed at making more published material available for people with print disabilities.

Commerce Minister Paul Goldsmith today released a discussion document which seeks feedback on whether New Zealand should join the Marrakesh Treaty.

The treaty would make it much easier for people to access, distribute and share a wider variety of copyrighted works in formats such as braille, large print or audio books.

The treaty was concluded in June 2013 and will come into effect once ratified by 20 countries.

The announcement also comes as the Blind Foundation launches its annual Blind Week street appeal today.

Blind Foundation spokesman Neil Jarvis says it is a great day for New Zealand’s blindness community.

“If New Zealand ratifies the Marrakesh Treaty it would make a huge difference to the thousands of New Zealanders who are blind or have low vision."

Mr Jarvis says this treaty will go a long way to ending the book famine which blind, low vision and other print disabled people experience because they are currently not able to access books and other publications in the format of their choice, even when they exist in other countries.

“Access to information is at the core of being able to live in today's society. This treaty will enable people who cannot read standard print to have a better opportunity of receiving the information they need, in the format they need and when they need it.”

He urged New Zealanders to have their say on the treaty to help make it a reality.

While New Zealand law already includes a copyright exception for creating accessible format copies, it does not facilitate cross border exchange. This results in costly duplication of efforts to convert works that would otherwise be easy and inexpensive to import.

Submissions close on 26 February 2016 and forms can be found on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's website.

Thousands of Blind Week volunteers will be out on the streets throughout the country today and tomorrow and members of the public are urged to give generously.

Funds raised during the appeal will go towards helping people who are blind or have low vision to enjoy life with independence.

People can also donate online at blindweek.org.nz
About the Blind Foundation
The Blind Foundation is New Zealand’s main provider of services to those who are blind or of low vision.

• The Blind Foundation equips people who are blind or have low vision with the training, tools and tips they need to deal with their blindness and achieve a life without limits.
• Every day three more New Zealanders register with the Blind Foundation.
• The Blind Foundation aspires to help all those living with blindness or low vision to live a life without limits.

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