Despite advancing technologies, visually impaired people often struggle to find books in accessible formats such as braille. Less than 2 percent of published books are available in braille. Dick Kawooya, associate professor in the School of Information Science, examines how intellectual property rights create barriers to providing information in accessible formats in both print and digital environments.

His research and international outreach work continue to break down those barriers to ensure visually impaired people can not only read their favorite books but also find the vital information they need.

“I moved to America from Uganda two days before the September 11 attacks. Horrific events like that remind us how critical access to information can be. Information can save lives. Technology now allows for the creation and sharing of more information, but laws and policies often directly, or indirectly, prevent some people from accessing that information,” said Kawooya.

Access to books and knowledge is a human rights issue. We all deserve this right.

Dick Kawooya, associate professor

Kawooya passionately works to shed light on legal or ethical obstacles — from copyright laws to the cost of printing in braille — which stand in the way of making digital and printed books accessible to the visually impaired.

“When a book is published, it’s usually available immediately in digital or print form,” said Kawooya. “But it may take months or years to be printed in braille, if ever. That’s an injustice. Some books are also available in audio format now, which is good. But, access to free libraries, the internet or other resources varies greatly across the world and therefore, many people still don’t have access to books in a format that works for them.”

To reduce this global “book famine” among the visually impaired, Kawooya collaborated with other experts during the development of the “Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled” in 2013. The treaty allows legal exceptions to copyright rules and requires nearly 100 member countries to reproduce and distribute published works in accessible formats. The treaty also mandates the exchange of these works across countries by organizations that serve people who are visually impaired or people with physical disabilities that prevent them from holding a book.

“Access to books and knowledge is a human rights issue. We all deserve this right. Visual impairment could impact us all. Aging and diabetes are two common occurrences that lead to loss of sight, or a random accident could leave any of us blind. We are all  potential beneficiaries of this research.”