Children’s literacy is one of the most important issues facing us today. Fortunately, many groups, organizations, and individuals are dedicated to reversing the staggering statistics. However, as hard as people are working to get kids reading, there are some kids—such as the visually- impaired ones—who get left out.  Thanks to Stevie Wonder, though, visually-impaired literacy is getting some of the attention it deserves.

Stevie Wonder recently appeared before the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) of the United Nations urging for global copyright laws to be changed to the benefit of the 300 million print-reading-disabled global citizens, to whom millions of books are inaccessible to them as audiobooks due to the current copyright system.

According to the Huffington Post, the way the system is currently set up requires that many audiobook versions of the same work be produced, which carries a higher cost, the burden of which falls on the visually-impaired public. What’s more, some poor countries can’t even afford to make their own versions of works, so that they’re not available at all to their blind citizens.

Here is part of Wonder’s address, courtesy of The New Yorker:

“While I know that it is critical not to act to the detriment of the authors who labor to create the great works that enlighten and nourish our minds, hearts and souls, we must develop a protocol that allows the easy import and export of copyright materials so that people with print disabilities can join the mainstream of the literate world.”

“According to the AFP,” reports The New Yorker, “aides to Wonder said that just ‘five percent of printed materials and books are available in a readable form for the blind or visually impaired in industrialized nations, and just one percent in developing countries.’”   You may wonder, as I certainly did, how come such a small amount of books get translated into formats accessible to the visually-impaired, such as Braille and audiobooks. Ian Crouch of The New Yorker interviewed Paul Schroeder, the Vice President of Programs and Policy at the American Foundation for the Blind to find out more about this issue.

According to Shroeder, while several developed countries have different copyright laws allowing books to be reproduced in Braille, audio, and electronic or large print, the materials must fulfill two limitations, first that the books only go to those who are unable to read print books due to a disability, and secondly that the books are made by “specialized format producers who work with people with print-reading disabilities.”

In the U.S. the copyright provisions, also known as the Chafee provisions after former Senator Lincoln Chafee, allow these specialized producers to reproduce books in formats that are accessible to people with print-reading disabilities. A problem arises, however, with the fact that the provisions don’t allow for export outside the U.S., a law that other counties have in common with us.

According to Shroeder, “We definitely want to see a treaty or other mechanism that allows books to be shared across borders for use by people with print disabilities.” Stevie Wonder’s advocacy work is in alignment with this goal.

It’s an inspiration to see other artists working on behalf of children who aren’t typically represented in the children’s literacy issue.  After visiting with the bright children of Blossom Montessori School for the Deaf on my East Coast book tour, I released Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy, the first book of my children’s book series, on DVD with a sign interpretation, and the profits are going to the causes of literacy and education. Now the DVD has been released by iStorytime, of Dreamworks and Shrek Forever After, as an app for the iPhone, iTouch, and iPad. I hope to see other artists and individuals follow in Stevie Wonder’s example by championing causes that are special to them, and I look forward to seeing progress in developing a global system whereby the millions of visually-impaired are able to enjoy the books we ourselves are lucky to have access to.

Tina Turbin

www.TinaTurbin.com

Resources:

New Yorker: Stevie Wonder and Books for the Blind http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2010/09/stevie-wonder-and-books-for-the-blind.html#ixzz10K3xYhi1

Huffington Post: Stevie Wonder To UN: Ease Copyrights For The Blind http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/20/stevie-wonder-to-un-ease-_n_732281.html

Tina Turbin

Again, I wrote this when first purchasing our East Coasthome and was bombarded with questions and calls after my many years in LA with working with the kids in our Burbank Studio and working with one of my sons, Jason in television shows and stage- Les Miserables and music.

You may purchase it on line on Amazon as well as read many reviews.

Thank you, Tina Turbin

This was one of the most professional interviews I’ve ever done, focusing mainly on the topic of my role as an author, writer and humanitarian.

Here I am sharing a lovely note that Denise sent to me after the show:

Hi Tina,

Thank you for a great interview! I enjoyed connecting with you today! I’d like to say THANK YOU! I appreciate your time! I appreciate you sharing your insight! I appreciate your candidness! I appreciate your tips and advice that you shared with Off The Shelf’s listeners! I appreciate YOU, Tina!

Thank you!

Denise Turney

A Black Swan is something that is unexpected or highly improbable. That’s how art arrived in my life, as a black swan. I didn’t have a long time dream of becoming an artist. Like many others, when it comes to artistic expression, I would have said that I couldn’t draw a straight line. I’ve never had an art lesson. The art comes from a peaceful place in my heart. I started experimenting with glass as a way to unwind after my usual 12 hour work day in event marketing.

Soon, I had a house filled with brightly colored glass plates and bowls. When I had friends over, they offered to buy my work or would request a special item for a wedding gift or other celebration, which was a complete surprise to me! My first exhibit was a big success and resulted in a commission of twenty pieces of glass art by the local museum store. I’ve continued to grow as a glass artist and will always enjoy that medium.

I had another black swan experience when I had a dream about drawing and painting these beautiful, flowing ladies; I didn’t paint or draw before that dream. I began to draw these simple figures, all with the desire to express love, beauty, connection and the radiant heart of a woman. Sometimes the trials and concerns of life cause women to close in, hide their hearts and shut down, however, I know inside of each woman is a beautiful treasure. This art calls out to the treasure and the beauty.

That’s what I want to capture in the celebration ladies, the unhindered spirit of a woman. Long open arms, generous hearts and a reflection of peace. People often cry when they look at the simple paintings and drawings because they are touched in a deep place inside. I’m always humbled and blessed when that happens, when a heart is touched or inspired by my art.

At this time in my life I have the joy of living my creative passion and I’m taking it to the next level by working with women, helping them to tap into their own creative identity. Creative expression comes in many forms; sometimes it’s in the arranging of a delightful garden or a fun and vibrant patchwork quilt. Other times it’s more subtle, like the ability to write an endearing letter or card.

Creativity is a part of each person, however sometimes you have to look for clues to how it is expressed through your life. Your unique creativity always leaves clues and those clues are waiting to be discovered.

Through the art and my passion for radio, my mission remains the same, helping others to have their own black swan experiences that shift life to a new level of fulfillment, health, love, connection and freedom. I love being an artist…and I still can’t draw a straight line! www.JordanMercedes.com

Please visit me every 2nd Monday of the month at 12 noon, EST. Next show is November 9th, so mark your schedule and connect up. The topic of conversation is Gluten Free and Celiac Disease! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Thrive-In-Balance

Recently I have had the wonderful opportunity to have my recent book “Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy” featured on one of the children’s bookshelves of the Virtual Bookcase website: http://www.virtualbookcase.com/book/detail/45003915  (details)

As Danny’s presence continues to virtually expand, my team, Danny and I would love for you to take a moment to visit the above link and add your “5-BOOK” VOTE to Danny’s online rating: http://www.virtualbookcase.com/book/vote/45003915.  (to vote)

Your votes will help tremendously to increase Danny’s expansion – thank you in advance! www.dannythedragon.com in case you want to check out what is happening.

Tina Turbin