Access To Knowledge Through Education Case Study

“Under Article 21 and 21A, access to knowledge through education is one of the most fundamental aspects of the right to read, write and express oneself in order to form an informed opinion in one’s political, cultural or social life to lead a life of human dignity. When persons with print impairment are denied such access to books in alternative formats, their fundamental right to life guaranteed to them under the Constitution is taken away from them since such denial of access will prevent their participation in the political and social aspects of their lives. Thus, it becomes an obligation on the part of the State to ensure that their fundamental rights are granted to them on an equal basis with other persons by doing away with any gap which
The government has executed National Policy for Persons with Disabilities' and which recognizes persons with disabilities as valuable human resource for the country and thus seeks to create an environment that provides them equal opportunities, protection of their rights and full participation in society. India became the first country to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled on 30th June, 2014. Over 70 million of world’s visually impaired persons stay in India and only 1 percent of books are available in accessible formats. India was already in compliance with Marrakesh Treaty before ratifying it. To tackle the deficit amendment was brought up in Copyright Act in 2012. Prior to the inclusive of Section 52(1)(zb) that the owner of copyright in a work had the exclusive right to adapt, make copies, communicate to the public etc. the work. Therefore, any conversion of a book into accessible formats such as Braille, Daisy, audio books for the benefit of persons with print disabilities could be undertaken only by the owner of copyright or with the permission of the owner of copyright. The owners of copyright were unwilling or disinterested to either undertake the conversion and sale of such accessible format copies or permit such conversion, for reasons varying from lack of profitability to limited target audience. Now these permissions are not needed for non-profit conversion and distribution. The amendment introduced through section 52(1)(zb) permitted the conversion of works in to any accessible formats for the benefit of persons with disabilities. In India, persons with disability include all kind of disability like(I) Blindness; (ii) Low vision; (iii)