I'm not quite sure how our situation relates to Ian's question but we
are due to get scanning/OCR equipment soon (actually we should have had
it before Christmas - but that's another story).
I'm advised that the only people I can allow to use it without explicit
prior permission of copyright holders are those with a physical visual
handicap. As the law stands, I believe dyslexics are excluded. Quite
apart from any moral or ethical concerns, I'm not at all clear how I'm
going to control access on such a basis. If anyone can give me proof
that my advice is wrong I'd be very grateful!
Arthur Owens (SubLibrarian Socila Sciences and Disability Officer for
Lanchester Library, Coventry University)
Ian Litterick wrote:
> I have been asked by the British Dyslexia Association Computer Committee
> to put together a briefing document about the waste of resources in
> scanning already printed documents so that they can be accessed by
> people with dyslexia and disabilities, eg via text to speech. We would
> like a change of legislation on copying rights for people with
> disabilities to be included in this year's Disability Bill: see
> http://www.dwp.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/2003/jan/csd2201-flying.
> htm
>
> We would like to know how big is the problem?
>
> How much
> time;
> and
> money
>
> are spent by
> organisations (eg RNIB, Talking Books);
> institutions (eg University support services);
> individuals (eg dyslexic students)
>
> scanning and OCRing printed text to get it into digital form so that it
> can be used for:
> changing its appearance (font size, colour etc);
> assisted reading (via Text to Speech, E Books)
> Braille.
>
> And how much reading and learning doesn't get done because of the time
> and costs that would be incurred?
>
> If you have any evidence from your experience or your organisation that
> would help to build a picture, however anecdotal, could you please pass
> it on to me? Thanks.
>
> The aim would be to let UK legislation relating to Disability
> Discrimination and publishing catch up with and perhaps overtake that of
> the USA. The hope is that relevant organisations - eg BDA, RNIB, Mencap
> can work together on this one.
>
> Ian Litterick
>
> BDA Computer Committee Member
> iANSYST Ltd
> www.dyslexic.com
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