Innovative Technologies: Making the world of books accessible to the print disabled | Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD)

On Wednesday March 25th 2015 the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) co-organised a panel discussion titled "Innovative Technologies: Making the world of books accessible to the print disabled".

Among the panellists were H.E. Dr. W. Aubrey Webson, Ambassador of the Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbu to the UN, Mr. Scott LaBarre, Board Member of Accessible Books Consortium and Representative of the World Blind Union, Mr. Dave Power, President and Chief Executive Officer of Perkins as well as Mr. Gopal Mitra, Programme Specialist on Children with Disabilities, Gender Rights and Civic Engagement of UNICEF. The panellists discussed ways to ensure that all persons can participate fully in global cultural life and education in the post-2015 era, focusing on the role of innovative technologies as a strong ally in achieving these goals. Special attention was also given to the WIPO Marrakesh Treaty for Persons Who are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled as a milestone Treaty aiming to create a set of mandatory limitations and exceptions for the benefit of the blind, visually impaired and otherwise print disabled (VIPs).

The panel discussion was moderated by Ms. Lucinda Longcroft, Head of the WIPO New York Office. Ms. Daniela Bas the Director of the UNDESA Division for Social Policy and Development gave the opening remarks, highlighting the role of Innovation and Technologies in achieving inclusive and equitable sustainable development for all, post-2015.

Click on the videos below to listen to panellists' and participants' views on "How can we ensure that Innovation and Technologies are widely available to Persons with Disabilities, including making the world of books accessible to all?"

Mr. Scott LaBarre, Board Member of Accessible Books Consortium and Representative of the World Blind Union

Mr. Dave Power, President and Chief Executive Officer of Perkins, Watertown

Mr. Gopal Mitra, Programme Specialist on Children with Disabilities, Gender Rights and Civic Engagement at UNICEF, New York

Ms. Rosangela Berman - Bieler, Disability and Inclusive Development Specialist and Senior Adviser on Children with Disabilities at UNICEF

Join the conversation using: #action2015 and #ForPeople

Stay connected and participate in the activities of the United Nations Division for Social Policy and Development throughout the year by following our official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/undesadspd

For more information please visit: social.un.org

To learn more about DSPD Focal Point on Disability (UN Enable), please visit: www.un.org/disabilities

To learn more about the WIPO Marrakesh Treaty, please visit: http://bit.ly/wipo-marrakech2013