Mexican Semicircular CushionFamous Centerpiece Icons of Mexico Sombrero Moustache Rumba Shaker Mesoamerican Print Entry Door Mat H 31.5 xD 47.2 Yellow
Accessories of Bathroom of Copper Electroplating Contemporary Simplified Costume Accessories Double Dry-Towels delivery Pole in The Corner Frame,Toilet Brush
On this page

Microwave Oven Shelf Shelf Rice Cooker Oven Rack Rack Multifunctional Kitchen 60 38 75cm -by TIANTA (color W, Size Black Tempered Glass Surface) kitchenware Supplies nregfr2174-Furniture

Accessible Books Consortium (ABC)

The Accessible Books Consortium (ABC) is a public-private partnership led by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It includes organizations that represent people with print disabilities such as the World Blind Union (WBU); libraries for the blind; standards bodies, and organizations representing authors, publishers and collective management organizations.

Our goal is to increase the number of books worldwide in accessible formats - such as braille, audio, e-text, large print – and to make them available to people who are blind, have low vision or are otherwise print disabled.

Contact us

Breathable Hypoallergenic Mattress Pad Cover,Portable Non-Slip 4cm Thick Soft Matt Predection Student Dorm Home-Pink King 180 200cm
Video on YouTube: The Road to Accessible Publishing - One Publisher's Story in Mexico

Email updates

Stool European Fabric Sofa Bench Three Footstool 39X28CM Removable and Washable Solid Wood shoes shoes Stool (color orange) – Regular news updates on the activities of the Accessible Books Consortium (ABC). 8-10 a year.

Sign up
Tabletop Mirror 8-Inch Vanity Makeup Mirror Double-Sided 1X and 3X Magnifying Mirrors Perfect for Bedroom or Bathroom Vanity,Sliver

What services do we offer?

Rabbit Half Round Door mats Bunny with Carred Funny Cheerful Rodent Pattern Running Jumping Sitting Bathroom Mat H 39.3 xD 59 orange bluee and Green
(Photo: WIPO)

Boscoman - Stretchy Beanbag Chair - Red (BOX A)

ABC Global Book Service is an on-line catalogue that provides libraries for the blind with the ability to search and make requests for accessible digital books. This international “library-to-library” service allows participating organizations to supplement their collections from their counterparts in other countries free of charge.

JRP Armchair,Creative Work Household Lounge Chair Fashion Black 47 48 73cm
(Photo: Steve Burden)

Bathroom Mats Water-Absorbing Carpets Non-Slip Mat Foot Pad Floor Mat Doormat Door Mats in The Hall Bedroom Indoor Mats-A 80x120cm(31x47inch)

ABC promotes the production of “born accessible” works by publishers, that is, books that are usable directly from the publisher by both sighted persons and people who are print disabled. We provide guidelines on how to produce “born accessible” works and we present an annual award for outstanding achievements in the field of accessible publishing.

Mattress - Rattan Mat, Single Student Dormitory Bedroom Mat, Summer Ice Silk Mat, Double Sided Can (Size 1.2m1.95m 47.2x76.8in)
(Photo: Piyush Arora and National Association for the Blind (Delhi))

Moen 344114SL Soap and Lotion Dispenser Kit, Stainless

ABC provides training and technical assistance in developing countries in the production and distribution of books in accessible formats. We also provide funding for the production of accessible educational materials in national languages at the primary, secondary and university levels.

(Photo: WIPO)

Websites offering accessible books

We maintain a list of links of online sources of accessible books, organized by country.  The selection includes both libraries and commercial providers.

Who are we helping?

InterMETRO Professional's Choice PrePacks Room Organizer
Video on YouTube: Bringing Accessible Textbooks to Visually Impaired Students in India
Video on YouTube: "Books for blind" Marrakesh Treaty - Ending the book famine

The legal framework

The Wood 484553cm. KXBYMXSimple Folding Table Side Table Sofa Table Leisure Table (color Wood, Size 48 45 53cm.) makes possible the production and transfer of accessible books across national boundaries. This landmark Treaty was adopted on June 27, 2013 by the member states of WIPO, and came into force on September 30, 2016 after ratification by 20 of those states.  ABC is one initiative to implement the Marrakesh VIP Treaty at an operational level.

The global context

Some 253 million people worldwide are visually impaired, according to the World Health Organization's 2017 estimates. More than 90% of these are resident in developing countries, where the World Blind Union (WBU) estimates that people who are blind have only a one in ten chance of going to school or getting a job. The lack of accessible books is a very real barrier to getting an education and leading an independent, productive life. The WBU estimates that less than 10% of all published materials can be read by blind or low vision people.

Square Solid Wood Stool Leg Stool, Sponge Padded Stool, Bedroom Living Room Dressing Table 77cm × 40cm × 40cm (Flower color) (Size 40cm×40cm×42cm) on Nelson Mandela International Day (July 18, 2016)

Voices from the floor of the Inaugural Marrakesh Assembly (October 2016)

Watch the video of Maria Soledad Cisternas on YouTube

"The CRPD is quite clear that the Marrakesh Treaty will contribute to the full inclusion of people who are visually impaired or otherwise print disabled."

Maria Soledad Cisternas, Chair, Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
5 hooks DYR Solid Wood Coat Hooks White Hook Up 4 Hooks 5 Hooks 6 Hooks 7 Hooks 8 Hooks Stable and Resistant Straight Edge (Dimensions 4 Hooks)

"[…] while blind and visually impaired children will benefit directly from the Marrakesh Treaty, the environment of accessibility that will be created will also have significant positive effects for all children with disabilities."

Gopal Mitra, Programme Specialist – Children with Disabilities, Disability Section, UNICEF

Who's involved in ABC?

ZYear Nordic Minimalist Wood Makeup Mirror Round Large Hanging Wall Mirror for Bathroom Living Room Bedroom (color 23.6-INCH)

Microwave Oven Shelf Shelf Rice Cooker Oven Rack Rack Multifunctional Kitchen 60 38 75cm -by TIANTA (color W, Size Black Tempered Glass Surface) kitchenware Supplies nregfr2174-Furniture