Print disability and the right to read

People who have a print disability include people who are blind or with low vision, people with a physical disability that makes it difficult for them to manipulate a standard book and people with other cognitive impairments. This is a large group of people. However, these people have access to precious little information in their lives. In developed countries, such as Australia, less than 5% of published material is put into an alternate format. In the developing world it is less than 1%. The World Blind Union has been running a right to read campaign to encourage action on this issue. In this instalment of Podrights, Disability and Race Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, discusses the campaign and its challenges with the President of the World Blind Union, Maryanne Diamond.