[Dtb-talk] Accessible Format Books from Scribe Publishing Fast Tracked for Equal Access

[Greg Kearney]

27 November 2012

Accessible Format Books Fast Tracked for Equal Access

On Monday 26 November, the Association for the Blind of WA – Guide Dogs WA made two books available in accessible alternative formats at the same time as the conventional print version was released to the general public.

Copies of The Last Refugee by Yemen al-Qaeda and America’s War in Arabia by Gregory Johnsen were provided to the Association by Scribe Publications in advance of their official release. This allowed the Association’s Accessible Information Service to fast-track production of alternative formats, which would usually be released many months after the print copy is published.

Through this historic partnership between a publisher and the Association, the simultaneous publishing of these books allows people who are blind or vision impaired, or those who have a print disability, the same access to newly published books as the rest of the community.

“It’s fantastic that we’re able to make these books accessible at the same time as they’re released,” said Chris Whitelock, Director of Information Services. “This is an important step in our pursuit of equal access to information for people who are blind or vision impaired.”

The books have been produced as DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System) talking books which include a full-text, full-audio version, and digital Braille file version of the books.

The Association is currently converting a further six Scribe books into accessible formats. Scribe Publications will continue to submit books to the Association for conversion to ensure accessibility for people who are blind or vision impaired, or those who have a print disability.

The Association relies on the support of the community to provide life changing services to people who are blind or vision impaired. For more information, visit www.guidedogswa.com.au.

ENDS

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Contact

For more information please contact

Prue Kraft, Public Relations and Bequests Administration Officer, Community Relations Association for the Blind of WA - Guide Dogs WA
Tel: 08 9311 8241 | Email: prue.kraft at guidedogswa.com.au

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Gregory Kearney | Manager Accessible Media
Association for the Blind of WA - Guide Dogs WA
PO Box 101, Victoria Park WA 6979 | 61 Kitchener Ave, Victoria Park WA 6100
Tel: 08 9311 8246 | Fax: 08 9361 8696 | www.guidedogswa.com.au
Tel: 307-224-4022 (North America)
Email: greg.kearney at guidedogswa.com.au
Email: gkearney at gmail.com

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 19 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights