Ramanujan Auditorium

Copyright Exceptions for Persons with Disabilities and opportunities for libraries

Rahul Cherian

Inclusive Planet Centre for Disability Law and Policy

India has recently amended its copyright laws creating new copyright exceptions for persons with disabilities. These exceptions allow non-profit organisations including libraries to convert copyrighted works into formats that can be accessed by persons with disabilities without requiring permission from publishers. The World Intellectual Property Organisation is also negotiating a copyright Treaty for Visually Impaired Persons and Persons with Print Disabilities to address this issue globally. The talk will focus on these issues and opportunities for libraries to improve access to works for persons with disabilities.

About the Speaker:

Rahul Cherian Jacob is a lawyer and disability rights activist and is the founder of the Inclusive Planet Centre for Disability Law and Policy operating out of India. He assists disability rights organizations and the government with law and policy reform to ensure that persons with disabilities can exercise their rights on an equal basis with others. Some of the areas he is currently involved in include reform of banking regulations, broadcasting and air travel for persons with disabilities.

He was one of the original team that drafted the copyright related Treaty for the Visually Impaired and he is the legal advisor to the World Blind Union on the Treaty. He was instrumental in providing input and assistance to disability rights organizations and the copyright office in India in relation to the recently introduced copyright exceptions for persons with disability. He also assists the copyright offices of other countries with
respect to reform of their copyright laws for the benefit of persons with disabilities.

Tea/Coffee/refreshments will be served after the event.