The UIE (IPA, International Publishers Association), in partnership with the African Publishing Innovation Fund and the DAISY consortium, specialized in the subject of accessible publishing, is implementing this free training for the benefit of African publishers. . It will cover all the obstacles that make it difficult or impossible to read printed works, in particular visual handicaps.
« DAISY’s international experts will explain how accessible publishing practices open books to people who are unable to read in print, such as blindness, visual impairment or learning difficulties. Participants will also share their own experience, which will serve as the basis for another technical training offered later in the year. », adds the UIE.
This first training session, on July 5, 6 and 7, will therefore be followed by other meetings later in the year. The International Union of Publishers specifies that the follow-up of this training will make it possible to claim aid of the African Publishing Innovation Fund (APIF) for the production of accessible works, precisely.
« It is very important — especially in these difficult times — that publishers play a role in ensuring access to information and content for all explains Bodour Al Qasimi, President of the UIE and architect of the African Publishing Innovation Fund.
« Accessible publishing opens up the literary world to everyone, regardless of physical status, and as a founding member of the Accessible Books Consortium, this is a fundamental tenet of the work we do at IPA. We hope that by dedicating IPA funding to this specific task, we can make a major contribution to increasing the amount of accessible African books available to readers who need them. »
Richard Orme, CEO of the DAISY Consortium, says for his part: “ Several African publishers are accelerating the adoption of digital publishing solutions, especially in the wake of the global pandemic. It also creates publications that can be read by previously excluded children and adults, including those with blindness and low vision. Accessible publishing is better publishing for everyone, and we look forward to sharing practical steps publishers can take to reach new audiences and tackle existing inequalities. »
Registration for the online conference in French take place at this address.
Photography: illustration, ActuaLitté, CC BY SA 2.0
