For Immediate Release
Contact: Judith Platt (202-220-4551)
jplatt@publishers.org
Acacia O’Connor (202-220-4550)
aoconnor@publishers.org
Association of American Publishers Files Comments on Accessibility of Copyrighted Works
Washington, DC, May 14, 2009: On May 18 the U.S. Copyright Office will hold a public forum on “Facilitating Access to Copyrighted Works for the Blind or Persons With Other Disabilities.” Allan Adler, Vice President for Legal and Government Affairs at the Association of American Publishers (AAP), will appear on three panels at the forum. In addition, pursuant to a Notice of Inquiry and Request for Comments published in the Federal Register, AAP has submitted written comments on behalf of its members.
Outlining AAP’s long history of involvement and cooperation with advocacy groups and federal and state officials on efforts to make accessible materials available for individuals with print disabilities, AAP’s comments point out that the Association has been a key partner in a number notable initiatives undertaken over the past fifteen years to address these special needs. Among the hard-learned lessons that have emerged from this experience for AAP and its members are that: 1) “the rapid development of technology and our evolving understanding of human disabilities can quickly challenge the basic assumptions underlying even the most carefully crafted regulatory approach....,” and 2) “ ‘one-size-fits-all’ solutions are not necessary, appropriate or sufficient to meet the accessibility needs of all individuals...” In light of the experience of the past fifteen years, AAP and its members, while remaining unquestionably committed to providing accessible materials, believe that “ imposing such solutions by regulatory mandates will delay introduction of more effective market-based response.”
The complete comments can be found here.
The Association of American Publishers is the national trade association of the U.S. book publishing industry. AAP’s more than 300 members include most of the major commercial publishers in the United States, as well as smaller and non-profit publishers, university presses and scholarly societies. AAP members publish hardcover and paperback books in every field, educational materials for the elementary, secondary, postsecondary, and professional markets, scholarly journals, computer software, and electronic products and services.
