Nigerian Copyright Commission strikes to ascertain nationwide accessible e book portal

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has introduced plans to ascertain a National Accessible Book Portal to enhance entry to books and different printed works for blind, visually impaired and print-disabled individuals in Nigeria.

The Director-General of the Commission, Dr. John Asein, disclosed this in an announcement issued on Thursday, October 15, 2026, to commemorate the 2026 White Cane Day, with the theme, “Promoting Independence, Inclusion and Equal Access for Persons Who Are Blind.”

Asein stated the proposed portal would offer a trusted nationwide platform for figuring out and facilitating entry to books and different printed works out there in accessible codecs.

According to him, the initiative would assist authorised entities, enhance the invention of accessible supplies, scale back pointless duplication and encourage collaboration amongst authors, publishers, libraries, academic establishments, organisations of individuals with disabilities and different stakeholders.

He stated the lack to learn typical print mustn’t stop anybody from accessing training, conducting analysis, advancing professionally or taking part within the nation’s cultural and mental life.

The NCC Director-General famous that Section 26 of the Copyright Act, 2022, offers a authorized framework for enhancing entry to printed works for individuals who’re blind, visually impaired or in any other case print-disabled.

He defined that the availability offers impact to the ideas of the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled.

According to him, the legislation permits the manufacturing and provide of accessible-format copies to eligible beneficiaries by authorised entities, topic to applicable safeguards, whereas facilitating the lawful trade of such works throughout nationwide borders.

Asein, nevertheless, burdened the necessity to translate the prevailing authorized provisions into sensible advantages for individuals with print disabilities.

He stated the proposed portal was a part of the Commission’s efforts to make sure that accessible books may very well be recognized and obtained by a transparent, environment friendly and dependable system.

The Director-General added that the initiative would additionally defend the pursuits of authors, publishers and different copyright holders by guaranteeing that accessible-format copies had been produced and used transparently and in accordance with the legislation.

He known as on authors and publishers to accomplice with the Commission in increasing entry to books, urging the publishing trade to make publications out there in accessible codecs wherever practicable.

Asein additional advocated the adoption of “born accessible” publishing, a apply by which books and digital publications are designed from the outset to be appropriate with display readers and different assistive applied sciences.

He stated accessibility ought to change into an integral a part of publishing apply slightly than an afterthought.

The Director-General famous that the Commission’s present initiatives construct on its longstanding “Let the Blind Read” marketing campaign and continued engagement with organisations of blind individuals, authors, publishers, libraries, academic establishments, know-how suppliers and growth companions.

He burdened that no youngster needs to be deprived as a result of a textbook was inaccessible and no particular person needs to be excluded from information due to how they learn.

Asein reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to selling equal entry to printed works, calling on stakeholders to assist efforts to make sure that blind and print-disabled individuals may take part totally in training and society.

He concluded by reiterating the Commission’s name on Nigerians to embrace the message: “Let the Blind Read.”