1. PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE COPYRIGHT AMENDMENT BILL
4 AUGUST 2017
AND NOW IS THE TIME!
THE KEY IS IN YOUR HANDS!
The gift of empowering blind, visually impaired and otherwise print disabled persons in South Africa
By Mr Jace Nair

3. AND NOW IS THE TIME!
THE KEY IS IN YOUR HANDS!
The gift of empowering blind, visually impaired and otherwise print disable persons in South Africa

4. SA Right To Read Coalition
Established 2009
Blind SA – Established in 1946 – 30 Member Organisations
SA National Council for the Blind (SANCB) – Established in Organisations
SADA
SOUTH AFRICAN DISABILITY ALLIANCE
SA Disability Alliance (SADA) – Established in 2007 – 19 National DPO’s, service Organisations, Parents Organisations and Professional Associations

5. African Union of the Blind (AFUB) – Established by OAU 1987 – 54 Countries
World Blind Union (WBU) – Established in Countries

6. The Book Famine
People had access to printed books for centuries
Blind people - access to books in an accessible format was limited

7. The Book Famine – continue
Inaccessible formats

8. The Book Famine – continue
Inaccessible formats

9. The Book Famine – continue
WBU 5% Developed Countries
WBU 1% Developing Countries
SA 0.5% - English, limited Afrikaans and very few African languages
Produced by NGOs
Available accessible books

10. Challenges in producing accessible publications by NGOs
Delay with licence
No electronic files
Data typing – data typist, proof readers (includes up to 5 persons)
Additional time – approximately 26 days (without electronic file) and 10 days (with electronic files)
High costs – R (without electronic file) and R (with electronic file)
Developmental funds used

11. Statistics: Blind and visually impaired
Stats SA 2011 Census:
Prevalence blind and partially sighted persons - 11% of National Population
Prevalence blind and partially sighted persons - 32% within persons with disability
Prevalence blind and partially sighted persons - Rural areas 80%
Prevalence blind and partially sighted persons - Unemployed 97%
Prevalence blind and partially sighted persons - World wide 288 Million

12. Impact on the community:
Low levels of literacy and access to quality education
High levels of unemployment and poverty
Blind readers’ access to local, national and international libraries

13. Treaty came into force on 30 September 2016
Miracle of Marrakesh
Africa Group
Negotiations at WIPO since 2009 until the adoption of the Marrakesh Treaty on 27 June 2013 in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Treaty came into force on 30 September 2016
Currently there are 30 countries that have ratified and there are 6 countries in Africa

14. The spirit of Marrakesh is captured by:
The inclusion of blind, visually impaired and otherwise print disable persons as beneficiary and users identified as an important key stakeholder
The separation of exceptions and limitations for the blind, visually impaired and otherwise print disable persons
The acknowledgement and cooperation of publishers and rights holders to facilitate the access of published works in an accessible format
Adoption of the Marrakesh Treaty

15. Provisions of the Marrakesh Treaty
The important provisions of the Marrakesh Treaty includes:-
Defining the beneficiary group to include blind, visually impaired and print disable persons
Accessible formats to mean braille, audio, large print, daisy and e- copy formats that can be used by the beneficiaries
The published works being available in an accessible format at the same time as the original printed works
Publishers and right holders encouraged to produce their published works in an accessible format for use by beneficiaries

16. Provisions of the Marrakesh Treaty – continue
Copyright exceptions and limitations available to non profit organisations that reproduce these published works in an accessible formats for beneficiaries
The circumvention of Technical Protective Measures to allow for accessibility of the published works to beneficiaries
The cross border exchange-importation and exportation of published works which is in an accessible format

17. Realisation of the NDP
Lead to the accelerated realisation of nine of the NDP outcomes and create a better life for all South Africans including blind, visually impaired and otherwise print disable persons.
NDP Outcome 1: Improved quality of basic education
NDP Outcome 4: Decent employment through inclusive economic growth
NDP Outcome 5: A skilled and capable workforce to support an inclusive growth path
NDP Outcome 6: An efficient, competitive and responsive economic infrastructure network

18. Realisation of the NDP – continue
NDP Outcome 7: Vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities with food security for all
NDP Outcome 8: Sustainable human settlement and improved quality of household life
NDP Outcome 11: Create a better South Africa and contribute to a better and safer Africa and the World
NDP Outcome 13: Social Protection
NDP Outcome 14: Nation building and social cohesion

19. What South Africa must do
UN Convention on the rights of persons with disability (CRPD) 2007 – Article 4, 30, 32, and 33.
Enact Copyright Bill
Ratify Marrakesh Treaty
Harmonise legislation
Set up the Authorised Entities
Prepare the systems, content development, production guidelines
Eliminate Book Famine
Increase access to knowledge and information
Contestation by certain stakeholders on sections other than 19D
DTI to delink ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty with enactment of the Copyright Bill

20. THE KEY IS IN YOUR HANDS - The gift of empowering blind, visually impaired and otherwise print disabled persons in South Africa!

22. Thanking you! Jace Nair CEO: Blind SA
Chairperson: SANCB Copyright and Marrakesh Committee
Chairperson: Africa Marrakesh Treaty Committee
Acknowledgements:
Photo’s and pictures from Google, Pioneer Printers, Blind SA and WIPO

23. Braille Services a division of Blind SA is a producer of assessable books in the following formats:
Daisy
Audio
Contact details:
Mr Jace Nair – CEO –
Mr Philip Jordaan – Manager Braille Services –
Tel: 011