Disability info South Africa
“Disability Info South Africa” would like to thank “Blind SA” for renewing their advertising and therefore supporting the free information service and website that we provide to assist persons with disabilities. Blind SA originally started on the 26th October 1946 as the South African Blind Worker’s Organisation to help the blind find meaningful careers. In […]
Submission on the Local Government Elections 2021
Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke – Constitutional Court Dear Sir,Submission on the Local Government Elections 2021 proposed for 27 October 2021 and the possible impact on blind and partially sighted people due to the COVID-19 pandemic 1. The submission is made by Blind SA, a National Disable People’s Organisation established in 1946 to empower, advocate, […]
Book Famine for Blind Persons in SA
Since the introduction of the Marrakesh Treaty in 2013, Blind SA and other civil society organisations have been engaging government regarding the Copyright Amendment Bill and the importance and urgency of the Marrakesh Treaty, to no avail. It cannot be normal that eight years thereafter, we are still lobbying government to respect the rights of […]
Book Famine Copyright Amendment Bill SA
World Book Day, 23 April 2021 – Reading is important because it develops the mind. The mind is a muscle. It needs exercise. Understanding the written word is one way the mind grows in its ability. Blind SA endorses and encourages the right to read. This is a basic human right.
Ratify Marrakesh Treaty
Not criminals, not copyright pirates, just blind. The Marrakesh Treaty is ratified by over 90 countries and when South Africa ratifies the Marrakesh Treaty, blind people in this country may have access to over 700 000 books in braille, daisy and ePub formats. Mr. President PLEASE, sign the CAB into law? #brailleisnocrime
Unlock the Chains and Ratify Marrakesh Treaty
Blind people in South Africa have access to less than 0.5% of published works in an accessible format and the majority of these works have been produced by NPO’s like Blind SA. The President’s inactiveness in not signing the CAB into law is further impacting on the “book famine” experienced by blind people.
#BrailleIsNoCrime
Why, in a South Africa where the equality of its citizens is key and constitutional, is 42 year-old copyright laws still observed, making reproduction of reading and learning material into accessible formats a crime? The South African Constitution – section 9(2) states: “Equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms”. #brailleisnocrime #equalrightsforall […]
The Blind SA case: Watershed moment for disability rights in South Africa
Article courtesy of: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-04-15-the-blind-sa-case-watershed-moment-for-disability-rights-in-south-africa/ Almost 25 years ago, in December 1996, President Nelson Mandela promulgated South Africa’s progressive and aspirational Constitution. The document recognises a wide range of rights, including the right not to be discriminated against based on a disability. Also in 1996, a piece of less well-known legislation called the Chafee Amendment […]
Reading is Easier with Bookshare
Available, but still not accessible – Blind SA laments the fact that due to outdated copyright laws blind and partially sighted South Africans still do not have access to all reading material that Bookshare has to offer. #brailleisnocrime.
New Blind SA Bookshare a breakthrough for people who read differently
Blind SA’s Bookshare venture launched in October last year and has quickly become a real breakthrough for people with reading disabilities. In South Africa, access to books of all forms has been a serious difficulty for anyone with visual impairment. But Bookshare gives members choice across a vast library of e-books in accessible formats. Now, […]