Member states urged to 'do more' for blind people

British Socialist MEP Michael Cashman says Europe "should be doing more" to improve access to books for blind people.

The demand follows a debate in parliament on the issue of access by blind and dyslexic people to books and other printed products.

The debate followed a question to the commission, tabled by parliament's petitions committee, on the same subject.

Cashman, a member of the committee, hit out at the European commission for "being reluctant" to support a binding worldwide treaty, which would make it legal to send blind accessible books across national borders.

Cashman said, "Blind people and people who are visually impaired across the world are victims of a worldwide book famine. We need to take positive action in tackling it, in full respect of copyright legislation. I do not believe that the creators of these works stand as a barrier to access"

"The potential exists to produce accessible books, but current international law restricts their accessibility, particularly in developing nations," added Cashman, also Labour's spokesperson on international development parliament.

Last year, parliament adopted a report called "Unlocking the potential of the cultural and creative industries" that made clear its support for an international binding "treaty for the visually impaired and print disabled person".

Although parliament made clear its support for a binding World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) treaty, the commission rejected this and currently favours non-binding stakeholder agreements in the EU and a non-binding, voluntary "joint recommendation" at international level.

Cashman, a supporter of the Royal National Institute of Blind People in the UK, said he believes that commission proposals are not sufficient.

He said, "Proposals by member states and the commission for "soft law" guidelines will be nowhere near as effective as a binding treaty.

"Parliament supports an international binding treaty, organisations for the blind support it and so do most countries.

"I urge the commission and member states to go forward and beyond voluntary agreements. Can we possibly imagine a world without access to the works of Shakespeare, Victor Hugo and countless others who enrich our very lives?"