World Braille Day: NCC urges greater access to books for the blind
By Editor
THE Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John Asein, has called for urgent action to expand access to reading materials for blind and visually impaired persons, insisting that access to knowledge must be treated as a fundamental right rather than a privilege. Asein made the call in a statement issued to mark World Braille Day 2026, observed on Sunday, January 4, as the commission joined the global community in celebrating Braille as a powerful tool for literacy, independence and human dignity. The statement, released ahead of the commemoration, comes with the theme ‘Let the Blind Read.’
He said the observance comes at a time when inclusion, digital equity and accessibility in education have become global priorities, noting that these values align closely with the Commission’s long-standing advocacy for a fair and inclusive copyright system that serves both creators and users of knowledge.
According to the NCC Director-General, the situation in Nigeria remains deeply concerning, as available studies show that less than one per cent of published materials in the country are available in accessible formats such as Braille, audio or screen-reader–compatible digital text. He described the shortage as a “book famine” that mirrors challenges across much of the developing world and poses serious obstacles to education, employment and the full participation of blind and visually impaired persons in national development.
Asein said the Copyright Act, 2022 represents a major shift from charity-based access to a rights-based framework for inclusion. He explained that Section 26 of the Act domesticates the Marrakesh Treaty by permitting the reproduction, distribution and cross-border exchange of works in accessible formats for persons with print disabilities, while also providing safe-harbour protections for authorised entities involved in producing and sharing such materials.
He disclosed that the commission has issued new guidelines aimed at strengthening the safe-harbour regime, providing clarity, transparency and safeguards for the lawful production and dissemination of accessible-format copies. According to him, the guidelines are designed to encourage broader institutional participation, rebuild confidence among rights holders and intermediaries, and significantly increase the availability of books in Braille and other accessible formats.
The DG added that regulatory efforts will be supported by sustained advocacy, awareness-raising and capacity-building initiatives targeting publishers, libraries, educational institutions and other relevant stakeholders. He emphasised that World Braille Day serves as a reminder that inclusion is not an act of generosity but a legal obligation, a moral imperative and a development necessity. He reaffirmed the Nigerian Copyright Commission’s commitment to building a copyright system that is fair, balanced and humane, one that protects authors’ rights while ensuring that learning materials are accessible to blind and print-disabled persons across the country.
