9781107119000 (hardback)

1107119006 (hardback)

"While equality laws operate to enable access to information, these laws have limited power over the overriding impact of market forces and copyright laws that focus on restricting access to information. Technology now creates opportunities for everyone in the world, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, to be able to access the written word - yet the print disabled are denied reading equality, and have their access to information limited by laws protecting the mainstream use and consumption of information. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the World Intellectual Property Organization's Marrakesh Treaty have swept in a new legal paradigm. This book contributes to disability rights scholarship, and builds on ideas of digital equality and rights to access in its analysis of domestic disability anti-discrimination, civil rights, human rights, constitutional rights, copyright and other equality measures that promote and hinder reading equality"-- Provided by publisher.

"Laws and institutions recognised that persons with print disabilities could not read standard books printed on paper. This gave rise to an exemption in copyright laws that is analysed in chapter 5 of this monograph. Predominantly, charities that assist the blind have utilised these exemptions to provide persons with print disabilities a library of books in alternative or accessible formats. Charities, such as the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the Royal National Institute of Blind People, and Vision Australia, have impressive catalogues of books in Braille, large print and audio cassette. Most of these works have been created by volunteers reading books onto tape, as well as scanning, editing and printing books into alternative formats"-- Provided by publisher.

1. How technology has created the possibility of opening the book: from hard copy to e-books

2. Access to information communication technologies, universal design and the new disability human rights paradigm introduced by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

3. The weakening of the exception paradigm: the World Intellectual Property Organization changes path with the Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled

4. The role of copyright laws in restricting access to information and contributing to the book famine

5. Exceptions to rights-holders' exclusivity provides limited relief from the disabling impact of copyright

6. Anti-discrimination laws help protect persons with disabilities against digital disablement, but who qualifies for protection?

7. Causing digital disablement is not a trigger for regulation by anti-discrimination laws: ignoring capacity in favour of prescribed relationships

8. The prohibition against discrimination: regulating for equality through retrofitting inaccessible systems

9. Introducing positive duties in promoting equality outcomes for persons with disabilities: the United Kingdom Public Sector Equality Duty reducing digital disablement

10. The right to digital equality in action: protections under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and human rights acts

11. United States regulatory interventions targeting disability inclusive digital environments

12. The enforcement of legal duties: protecting copyright or promoting reading equality?

Closing thoughts and new options to reduce digital disablement.

Discrimination against people with disabilities > Law and legislation.

People with visual disabilities > Legal status, laws, etc.

People with visual disabilities > Means of communication.

People with visual disabilities > Services for.