CASHMAN URGES EU ACTION ON TACKLING THE BOOK FAMINE FOR THE BLIND - 2012-02-16

Europe should be doing more to improve access to books for blind people.

That was the message last night from West Midlands Labour MEP Michael Cashman following a debate in the European Parliament on the issue of access by blind and dyslexic people to books and other printed products.  The debate followed a question to the Commission, tabled on behalf of the Parliament’s Petitions Committee, on the same subject.

Michael Cashman, Labour’s representative on the committee,  and long-time supporter of the Royal National Institute of Blind People, hit out at the European Commission for being reluctant to support a binding worldwide treaty which would make it legal to send blind accessible books across national borders.

"Blind people and people who are visually impaired across the world are victims of a worldwide book famine. We need to take positive action in tackling it, in full respect of copyright legislation. I do not believe that the creators of these works stand as a barrier to access"

"The potential exists to produce accessible books, but current international law restricts their accessibility, particularly in developing nations”, said Cashman, also Labour's Spokesperson on International Development in the European Parliament.

Last year the European Parliament adopted a report called “Unlocking the potential of the cultural and creative industries” that made clear its support for an international binding “Treaty for the visually impaired and print disabled person”.

Although the Parliament made clear its support for a binding WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation) Treaty, the European Commission rejected that view and currently favours non-binding stakeholder agreements in the EU and a non-binding, voluntary “Joint Recommendation” at international level.

Michael Cashman believes that Commission proposals are not sufficient: 

"Proposals by the Council and Commission for “soft law” guidelines will be nowhere near as effective as a binding treaty. The European Parliament supports an international binding treaty, organisations for the blind support it and so do most countries. I urge the European Commission and Council to go forward and beyond voluntary agreements. Can we possibly imagine a world without access to the works of Shakespeare, Victor Hugo and countless others who enrich  our  very lives?", he asked.

› Back