In the blue corner

An estimated 90 per cent of all written materials worldwide are not published in accessible formats, such as braille, audio or large print. That number will grow as our population ages.

For about 168,000 New Zealanders with a print disability, this is a barrier to participation in public life and restricts employment, educational and recreational opportunities. A lack of access to copyright works can make it difficult for people with print disabilities to participate in public life and restricts their employment, education, and recreational opportunities.

Simply – it does not assist them to live their best lives.

The implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty has allowed for a meaningful change to the lives of thousands of New Zealanders by ensuring they have access to a greater variety of books and other publications in accessible formats.

Although the implementation of this treaty will make an incredibly positive change to our society, it doesn’t take away from the fact that authors who produce this work should be entitled to some form of