Cambridge donates content to the visually impaired in India
(NewDesignWorld Press Release Center) -- Cambridge University Press has signed an agreement with a charity for the visually impaired in India, which will eventually give millions of readers with a visual impairment unique access to a range of educational materials.
There are over 10 million visually impaired people in India and for many of them the only way they can access content in books is by other people reading to them.
A wide range of assistive technologies is available, including Braille and computers that can read electronic versions of books and study materials. However, Braille can take a very long time to read - one average 250-page book would convert to about four large Braille books – and content for computer software has not been of a very high standard in the past.
The DAISY Forum of India is a forum of not-for-profit organisations in India who are involved in the production of books and reading materials in accessible formats for people who cannot read normal print. They turn books into digital content, which can be read aloud by special software in computers and laptops.
Cambridge University Press has signed an agreement with the DAISY Forum, which will allow them to use the content in Cambridge books free of charge. This will save the forum thousands of pounds each year in copyright fees.
Manas Saikia, Managing Director of Cambridge University Press India Pvt Ltd said: “I am really proud to announce this agreement, as it will help the DAISY Forum in their vital work making educational content accessible to the visually impaired in India. Having a visual impairment can affect quality of life and it can also significantly reduce people’s exposure to decent educational materials. By donating Cambridge content, we are doing our bit to help change this problem, whilst also increasing people’s access to some excellent products.”
Kevin Taylor, Director of Intellectual Property at the Press, added: “We are glad to find ways to make our books available for visually impaired users without endangering the security of our content, and the agreement we have signed with the Daisy Forum provides for this. We hope to sign similar deals in other regions wherever appropriate".
Dr. Sam Taraporevala, Chairman of the Daisy Forum’s Committee on Copyrights and Publisher Relations has thanked the Press for taking this vital step forward in promoting access to reading in India. Dr Taraporevala said: ‘This historic process marks the beginning of a long and fruitful engagement which will help the print access movement in India gather momentum.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
About Cambridge University Press
Cambridge University Press was founded by a royal charter granted to the University of Cambridge by King Henry VIII in 1534. It is the oldest printer and publisher in the world, having been operating continuously since 1584, and is one of the largest academic publishers globally.
Its purpose is to further the University’s objective of advancing learning, knowledge and research. Throughout its history, the Press has maintained a reputation for innovation and enterprise, through its use of printing technologies, through publishing the latest research, and through supporting the latest methodologies for teaching and learning.
This year we celebrate 425 years of continuous publishing, a year that also marks the 475th anniversary of King Henry VIII’s grant to Cambridge University Press of ‘Letters Patent’ allowing us to print ‘all manner of books’. 2009 also sees the 800th anniversary of the University of Cambridge, providing an occasion for us to join in celebrating our respective foundations by commemorating the books, people, ideas and achievements that have emerged from this shared history and which continue to inspire and transform the world.
About the DAISY Forum Of India
DAISY Forum of India is a forum of not-for-profit organisations in India who are involved in production of books and reading materials in accessible formats for persons who cannot read normal print. The forum was established in April 2007 and more than 60 organisations from all over the country are now members.
All of these organisations work together to resolve the issues involved in the transition from analogue to digital technology of accessible books.
If you would like more information, contact the Press Office:
* Telephone: +44 (0)1223 325544
* Fax: +44 (0)1223 325062
* Email: press@cambridge.org
* Post: The Press Office, University Printing House, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge, CB2 8BS, United Kingdom
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