10 BRNEBN Chair-Stool Stylish Bar Front High Chair Cashier Bar European Bar Simple Lift Bar Chair Home Convenient (color 10)
180x40cm(71x16inch) N DYR Heavy-Duty Solid Wood Coat Hooks, Hallway Coat-Hangers, Coat Hangers for Hats, Coat Hangers, Premium Home Hall Classical-E 180x40cm (71x16inch)
On this page

Doormat Non-Slip mat Style,Home,Carpet Doormat pad Door,Living Room,[Hall],Bedroom,Indoor mats-E 80x100cm(31x39inch) European Foot nrvhda2007-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

HomeRoots Décor 295538-OT Home, Multicolor
Video on YouTube: The Road to Accessible Publishing - One Publisher's Story in Mexico

Email updates

Makeup shaving mirrors bathroom blonde beauty mirror wall mirror folding toilet telescopic mirror double-sided copper zoom wall-mirror mirror beauty mirror makeup mirror 8-inch-diameter 20CM – Regular news updates on the activities of the Accessible Books Consortium (ABC). 8-10 a year.

Sign up
Slacker Chair,Small Folding Stool Portable Super Compact Light Wight,pinkred,S

What services do we offer?

Xyanzi- Floating TV Stand Cabinet,Wall MountSemi-Circular Double Mouth Entertainment Unit,White 2 Sizes (Size 60x20x8cm)
(Photo: WIPO)

Student Mattress Thickening and Folding Tatami Household Single Double Mat (color 4, Size 120X200cm)

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.

Angel's Home Simple Clothes Rack Modern Nordic Coat Stand Wood Floor Hanger Office Bedroom Clothes Tree Living Room Hall Hat Coat Rack
(Photo: Steve Burden)

Simple Wrought Iron Magazine Rack Single Page Landing Newspaper Rack Removable Brochure Subrack with Roller == (color Silver)

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.

C Barber Shop Trolley Hair Salon Dedicated Rack Trolley Trolley Barber Shop Tool Cart (color C)
(Photo: Piyush Arora and National Association for the Blind (Delhi))

Headboard Bed Backrest Cushion Bed Cushion Bedside Pillow Cotton Fabric Soft Large Pillow Lumbar Support Detachable and Washable 7 Solid colors 5

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?

Folding Chair Solid Wood Folding Chair Portable Chair Balcony Home Leisure Chair Dining Chair (color B)
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 LQQGXL.Storage and Organization 2-Storey Modern Minimalist Sofa Wooden Table Small Square Table Living Room Coffee Table (color Brown, Size 404050cm) 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.

TYUIO Folding Bar Stools Counter Height Bistro Dining Kitchen Pub Chair (color Black) 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)
LUDSUY Bathroom accessoriesAll Copper and gold Antique Double Tripod Corner Shelf Bathroom Shelf Double Triangle Hanging Basket, G

"[…] 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?

LLSDLS Traditional Designed Plastic Umbrella and Walking Stick Stand Home Office Hallway Storage 11.6x7 inches(29.5cm X 18cm). (color Black)

Doormat Non-Slip mat Style,Home,Carpet Doormat pad Door,Living Room,[Hall],Bedroom,Indoor mats-E 80x100cm(31x39inch) European Foot nrvhda2007-Furniture