[Reader-list] Right to Read Campaign for the Visually Challenged

[Chintan]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Chandni Parekh


The entire post on the Right to Read campaign is at
http://kafila.org/2009/09/19/right-to-read-campaign/

Millions of Indians are unable to read printed material due to disabilities.
There are technologies available which can help them read print if the
material is converted into an alternate format such as large print, audio,
Braille or any electronic format. While the Indian constitution guarantees
the “right to read” as a fundamental right, the copyright regime does not
permit the conversion of books into accessible formats for the benefit of
persons with print impairment, as a result of which a “book famine” is
created.

Objectives of the Right to Read Campaign

·    To accelerate change in copyright law
·    To raise public awareness on the issue
·    To gather Indian support for the Treaty for the Blind proposed by
the World Blind Union at the World Intellectual Property Organisation
(WIPO).

As part of the campaign we are creating audio visual clips of eminent
persons, celebrities etc. supporting the Campaign. If you know any eminent
persons, celebrities etc. who are willing to support the campaign do mail me
(rahul.cherian at inclusiveplanet.com) so that we can arrange for their
testimony to be recorded.