Marrakesh Treaty: a Global Step Forward for People With Print Disabilities

PRINCETON, NJ—Learning Ally’s President and CEO Andrew Friedman issued the following statement regarding the successful completion of the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled. “The successful conclusion of the Treaty is great news for millions of individuals who have print disabilities here in the U.S. and across the globe. The new agreement ensures they will have access to hundreds of thousands of accessible titles that have been locked behind borders.  We look forward to fulfilling the Treaty’s goals of enabling greater access and expanding learning for all, and urge the U.S. Senate to act as quickly as possible to ratify the Treaty. “Our mission for more than 65 years has been to help students who have print disabilities earn their education.  We’ve worked hard with our partners to increase public awareness and influence the Treaty’s passage, which promises to expand the scope of the materials available to our students and vast populations around the globe. Our thanks and congratulations go to the representatives who engaged in negotiations to ensure the Treaty’s successful passage.” For more information on the Marrakesh Treaty visit the following links: The White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/06/28/landmark-treaty-visually-impaired The World Intellectual Property Organization:  http://www.wipo.int/dc2013/en/