What is the Marrakesh Treaty?
The Marrakesh Treaty is part of a body of international copyright treaties managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Its main objective is to require affiliates to introduce a standard set of limitations and exceptions in copyright regulations to allow reproduction, distribution, and availability of publications in accessible formats for visually impaired people.
In 2020, the Government of Argentina enacted Law No. 27,588, which incorporates the exceptions stated in the Marrakesh Treaty into the Intellectual Property Regime. This law stipulates the exemption from paying royalties for the reproduction, distribution, and availability of publications designed to be accessible when carried out by authorized entities, a beneficiary, or an individual acting on behalf of the latter.
Digital Resources for Reading Accessibility
The resources that enable access to reading for the visually impaired include macrotypes, accessible e-books, audiobooks, and OrCam devices.
Macrotypes are books with large or larger-than-usual font (between 16 and 20 point size) that help make reading easier for people with visual impairments that cannot be corrected with standard eyeglasses. Macrotype books offer the possibility of reading the same book together as a group where there are people with normal and reduced vision. This encourages bonds during reading and promotes inclusion.
Accessible e-books are files created by institutions that comply with all Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and
Section 508. These files include technologies that ensure all accessibility features such as navigation, font size, high contrast, mark-up and headings, structurally-tagged content, text-to-speech recognition, alternative text descriptions for diagrams, illustrations, and images, alternative background colors, and manageable spacing.
Audiobooks date back to the 1930s. However, they were initially used as an educational medium and were primarily available in schools and libraries. Before they were digitally available, they used to be sold physically as cassettes and vinyl records. With the mass adoption of the Internet, audiobooks became available online, making them available to people with visual impairments and allowing literary publications to be consumed in another format.
OrCam devices are portable computer vision devices that allow visually impaired people to understand the text and identify objects through audio feedback. This technology still has a way to go before being massively used, given its high cost and innovative technology.
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