UN NEWS SERVICE –Stevie Wonder, a United Nations Messenger for Peace, called for improved access to copyright material for people with visual disabilities at the annual meeting of the UN World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Wonder said “… while I know that it is critical not to act to the detriment of the authors who labor to create the great works that enlighten and nourish our minds, hearts and souls, we must develop a protocol that allows the easy import and export of copyright materials so that people with print disabilities can join the mainstream of the literate world”.
Accessible copy-righted materials is a key topic at this year’s WIPO and the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights. WIPO Director General Francis Gurry acknowledged the growing complexity of intellectual property concerns and technological innovations. WIPO recently opened WIPO Lex, an on-line global intellectual property reference resource on national intellectual property laws and treaties.
SOURCE:
UN Peace Messenger Stevie Wonder calls for copyright steps for the blind
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=35998&Cr=WIPO&Cr1=#
SOURCE:
UN Peace Messenger Stevie Wonder calls for copyright steps for the blind
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=35998&Cr=WIPO&Cr1=#
21 comments:
While doing a search, I logged into UTPA library to look for some articles and when I was there I found a journal that was different. It is called Willing the World to Listen. So I go into it and there are options to listen or read this article. So this article for blogging came to my mind right away. It is true what Stevie Wonder is advocating for. There was only one out of 10 articles that was for persons that might be blind. We still need more to do for the people that are blind. We take a computer, book, article, or any reading material for granted. We usually think about us, most of us can see. Thinking that things are more accessible to people with disabilities like least restrictive environments but sometimes we forget about learning materials like reading for the blind. I work in a school district and we do have many children with disabilities but no one with 100% blindness, so we do not think about accommodating for people that are blind. We have had children with certain percentage of blindness and there have been accommodations for them like a dome, larger print, overlays, and some audios. But really I would not know how much material we could get for someone that would be completely blind. I also know that not everybody that is blind learns to read Braille. This avocation makes me think of people that are blind like Stevie Wonder.
By Matilde Barrera Alaniz
mbalaniz
As an advocate for persons with disabilities, I believe that all avenues of information should be accessible to as many people as possible. "We must develop a protocol that allows the easy import and export of copyright materials so that people with print disabilities can join the mainstream of the literate world”; I believe in the integrity of this statement. Using empathy, I can side with the statement made. If I had a visual disability I would deeply appreciate the opportunity to have literature made available to me as often as possible.
I am proud to read about Stevie Wonder advocating for the rights of people who are visually impaired or blind to have access to copyrighted literature. This would mean more literate minds who could use the literature works from the past to create new ones. We need to acknowledge that people who are blind or visually impaired have talents that could be contributed to the expansion of the literature world. We need more stories, such as fiction and nonfiction, through the perspective of people with disabilities (PWD). The notion that much of society places on PWD is that their stories would be about disabilities and how no one would want to read that but them. To these people I say the stories that PWD would write do not all have to be about disabilities, rather they could be about any issue of interest going on around the world. Focusing on the disability would be last thing to notice, rather the only thing to notice would be the talent of writing that the person would show. We need to give a chance to PWD in the literature world to learn about different perspectives and let that influence the stories and literature of the future.
It is great to know that someone like Stevie Wonder is out their advocating for himself and others a like. It is very difficult for persons who are visually impaired to find material that is suitable for them to read. Stevie Wonder is making a valiant effort to improve access to material that is accessible to this particular population. If written material is easily available for the visually abled, than it should be readily available for the rest of the world. Stevie is not asking for much if you think about it. He is simply asking for books, articles, magazines, to be produced and shipped to people just like him who have interests in reading and accessing written material. Why should people who are able to see be the only one’s who can basically go to any store and pick up a magazine, or anything like it, and start reading what is going on in this world? The world is so advanced with technology now days, but they forget to consider those who might not be able to easily go anywhere and a read what is on the menu, or read the latest New York Time’s best seller. I agree with having a system or printing company who is able to convert the printed material like a book to Braille. People who have visual disabilities have all the right to access any form of material just like anyone else. Stevie has been a long time advocate for the visually impaired and continues to fight for the advancement and equality of those like him.
I can certainly agree people with disabilities should not be limited in their learning capabilities as well their ability to share their thoughts and experiences. We are human beings and should be given the same opportunities, often times I see people treat individuals differently or make them feel less than because of ethnicity, gender, race, color, religion, and even disability. I believe that Stevie Wonder has an extremely important message to us all and he is basically trying to state that there should be equality for all. If we have found methods to translate literature in many different languages and developed computerized systems that allow us to do that, why not go that extra mile to make this opportunity for people with this particularly disability more feasible. I believe that by doing this their quality of life will be much better and we can help them feel like they are included instead of excluded.
I remember growing up and listening to Stevie Wonder's song's via radio and t.v. His music swept through the ears and eyes of all who enjoyed and appreciated music. To this day, Stevie Wonder remains an inspiration to many people and a advocate to others. Stevie Wonder has served on the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, he has worked with the Junior Blind of America, and founded the Wonder Vision Awards to encourage innovations to help the disabled. In addition, he has performed for countless charities working for justice and equal opportunity for all. In December 3, 2009, he was appointed as the 11th UN Messenger of Peace. It is most certain that Stevie Wonder will carve the stone of accessibility to copyright material for people with visual disabilities. One could only imagin the positive impact Stevie Wonder will creat on a global level.
I commend when such progressive moves are made on the part of global (or any) organizations to improve accessibility to people with disabilities. However, I still don't understand why our nation, perhaps the most progressive nation in the world, continues to use the same shape and size for their currency. As many may know, blind people have great difficulty differenciating between the denominational values of paper money. Several other nations use different textures, sizes, and shapes for this reason; yet america continues to lag behind. This case was even taken to federal court. Why did the courts have to become involved? Are most of our elected officials that inconsiderate?
I think it's commendable that Stevie Wonder is using his star power to bring attention to a matter as important as this. It is a very difficult task to get the cooperation of the international community to do anything. This definitely includes helping people with visual disabilities gain access to copyright material. Access to information is the key to intellectual growth and freedom. Member states of the UN World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) should remedy this problem posthaste. The international community should not just sit by and allow millions of people with visual disabilities to be dispossessed by something as fundamental as the sharing of information and ideas. I agree with Stevie Wonder and anyone else who wishes to create improved access to copyright protected works for people with visual disabilities. Celebrities can and should use their recognition to advocate for causes they believe in. All too often celebrities squander their fame by staying out of the limelight or ending up on tabloids for their silly shenanigans. Some celebrities do great things with their money by donating to worthy causes. However, there are some causes that you just can't throw money at. There are some causes, such as this one, that require public interest. This is where celebrities should participate. Kudos to Stevie Wonder!
I think that publishing print materials in a manner so that visually impaired people can enjoy them should not be seen as a copyright infringement. I think that any material that is in print should be made readily accessible to all individuals regardless if it is in print, audio, braille, etc... . I do not think that it should be seen as a violation against copyrighted material. I am happy to hear that Stevie Wonder is speaking out against this type of discrimination. A visual impairment is not synonymous with intellectual impairment.
I think it is great that people are fighting for the rights of individuals who are visibly impaired. There are so many things that need to be changed in order for everyone with disabilities to be accommodated, and this is taking us one step closer. Sadly not everybody thinks of what others may need in order to access public places. I have seen firsthand that in some restaurants or clothing stores where restrooms are not handicapped accessible which makes it impossible for someone with a disability to access it.
This article is extremely important because it shows how advocacy can really help others who are sometimes not heard. It is crucial for Rehabilitation counselors to advocate for their clients in order for their needs to be met. Many times individuals with disabilities don’t have the opportunity to advocate for themselves, but we as rehab counselors can give them that opportunity.
I am glad that famous people like Stevie Wonder are using their power to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. I am not a real fan of Mr. Wonder’s music. However I really admire him for his social contribution. Hopefully Mr. Wonder’s initiative serves not only to improve access to materials for people with visual impairments, but also as an example to other important people to advocate for social causes.
I.Isabel Corbi
I strongly believe that more people need to advocate for those with visual loss and blindness. As I was reading the article, I began to ponder the question, “What if I became blind?” Some articles on the web are video audible; however others are not. Also, how would I know how to click the audio option? I would either need assistance in completing the task or find alternating methods to do so. This population needs more advocating. Just like those with physical disabilities don’t have access to all places in the community, those who are blind don’t have access to all information and tools to complete a task, such as researching an article. Because no two blind people see the same, no two blind people can benefit from the same assistive technologies. Thus, someone who is considered legally blind may need more assistive equipments/technologies than someone who is either visually impaired or functionally blind.
It is great to see Stevie Wonder advocating for such a good cause. It isn't fair that people with visual impairment don't have the same access to copyright material and it reminds me of the daily struggles they encounter even in present day. Sometimes these are thngs that are overlooked on a daily basis so I'm glad that Stevie is stepping up to bring up the issue and push for a change. If it isn't for people like him to stand up for what they believe, then things will never change. It will be great if other celebrities can do the same for other causes that they believe in and continue making positive changes for people with disabilities.
Friday October 8, 2010 will be a day to remember and support for all persons in the United States. The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 was signed by President Barack Obama. Those individual who stood next to the president during the historic event include; Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark.Sen. Jay Rockefeller,D-W.Va, Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif. and Stevie Wonder. This new law will assist persons with blindness and hard of hearing to better able to use new technologies such as, smart phones, internet, navigating a t.v. or Dvd player. In a statement made before signing,President Barack Obama ensured that, "It sets new standards so that Americans with disabilities can take advantage of the technology our economy depends on, and that's especially important in today's economy when every worker needs the necessary skills to compete for the jobs of the future,". It is comforting to know that the federal law will mandate the telecommunication industry to take all measures needed to have equal access for persons with disabilities.
It is nice to see stars like Stevie Wonder actually making a difference in the world. Most celebrities cajole with politicians in hope that they can pick up a few votes for their candidate. Rather than actually advocating for a worth while cause. In addition, some celebrities who take on causes as feeding the hungry in Africa give up when they see progress is not being made, rather then following through to the very end to break down all barriers to combat starvation. Clearly shows, most celebrities are narcissistic and only interested in self-aggrandizement. Thankfully, dedicated individuals like Stevie Wonder see to it that a cause such as his will be known throughout the world.
I think it is a great idea that Stevie Wonder is advocating for people with visual impairments. They have the right to have easy access to written materials. I just can't think myself loosing my vision and not being able to get infromation of what is happening in the world. Providing books, computers, magazines, etc with adaptations to those with visual impairments will allow them to get a better education and engage in the world as anyone else.
The importance of this treaty is making the copyright laws flexible giving an equal access to information for people with visual disabilities. They will be able to convert all type of literature to an accessible format. Also they will be provided by copies of the work that can be used by visually impaired persons and the activity is undertaken on a non-profit basis.
It's great that a public figure like Stevie Wonder to make a statement. Our society is always looking and hearing what the next celebrity is doing either good or bad and to advocate for equality. I am a book lover and I cannot imagine what it is to miss a good book due to the non-accomodation of a audio tape. I'm happy to hear that there is someone who wants a change.
Melchora Gracia
Advocating for the advocated! Does that make sense? I guess it's better said in person to get the feel for it. Nonetheless great job on Stevie Wonder's advocation. I personally cannot seem to find the form of copyright infringement when reproducing something to aid those with some sort of disability.
Lead by example is what I have learned over the years. It is great to see that individuals with the so called "pull" of the media are doing what they think and feel is beneficial for others.
Well, it is always nice to see that someone from the media is advocating for something so important such as the rights of people with visual impairments. Perhaps, people constantly watching television will feel more motivated to advocate not only for people with visual impairments but with another type of disability.
It is a MUST that all people should be provided with the same opportunities.In this case with the access to reading materials this population will increase their knowledge and enhance their happiness in life.
Alinka
Definitely is a social problem. Materials are needed to make a person who have a visual disability . His efforts of providing literature copy righted materiel to help the 300 million plus people who have a visual disability will definitely will make the difference in those lives, but other institutions should be primarily involved in this issue such as the public education from every state. The Department of public education should rule a budget in other to accomplish this task. Mr. Wonder is doing a great job in bringing awareness to the public to accomplish the needed task for people who have a visual disability.
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