Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – For blind, visually impaired, and other print-disabled Gambians, getting access to books and educational materials will soon become easier following the National Assembly’s ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty.
The treaty is designed to make published works more accessible to people who cannot effectively read or handle standard printed material. It allows eligible beneficiaries to access books and other publications in formats such as Braille, audio, and large print.
The treaty was presented to the National Assembly by Attorney General and Minister of Justice Dawda A. Jallow for consideration and ratification.
Opening Access To More Books
Under the treaty, authorized organizations will be able to reproduce and distribute accessible versions of copyrighted works for eligible beneficiaries, subject to specific safeguards.
The agreement also provides for the cross-border exchange of accessible-format books between participating countries through authorized organizations. This could give print-disabled Gambians access to a much wider range of books and educational materials, including works that may not be available in accessible formats locally.
For students and others who depend on accessible materials, the measure could help reduce barriers to education, information, and independent reading.
Copyright Protection Remains
The Marrakesh Treaty does not remove copyright protection. Instead, it creates specific exceptions that allow accessible copies to be produced and shared for eligible beneficiaries while maintaining safeguards for copyright holders.
The treaty applies not only to people who are blind or visually impaired but also to people with other disabilities that prevent them from effectively reading printed works or physically handling books.
The Marrakesh Treaty was adopted on June 27, 2013, and entered into force internationally on September 30, 2016.
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