The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has called for the establishment of a National Accessible Book Portal to improve access to books and other published materials for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print-disabled.
The Director-General of the Commission, Dr John Asein, made the call in a statement marking the 2026 International White Cane Day, observed annually on October 15.
Asein said the proposed portal would serve as a trusted national platform for identifying and accessing books and other works available in accessible formats.
He explained that the initiative would help translate the provisions of the Copyright Act, 2022, into practical benefits for persons with print disabilities, particularly in education, research, professional development and cultural participation.
According to him, Section 26 of the Act provides a legal framework for producing and supplying accessible-format copies to eligible beneficiaries through authorised entities, while also facilitating the lawful exchange of such materials across borders.
The NCC boss stressed that equal participation in society must include equal access to knowledge, adding that difficulties in reading conventional print should not prevent anyone from pursuing education or participating fully in intellectual and cultural life.
He said the proposed portal would improve the discovery of accessible publications, reduce unnecessary duplication and encourage collaboration among authors, publishers, libraries, educational institutions, disability organisations and other stakeholders.
Asein also emphasised the importance of building trust within the copyright ecosystem, noting that authors and publishers must be confident that accessible-format copies are produced and used transparently and in accordance with the law.
He urged authors and publishers to make their works available in accessible formats wherever practicable, while encouraging the adoption of “born accessible” publishing practices.
Under the approach, books and digital publications would be designed from the outset to work with screen readers and other assistive technologies, rather than being converted only after accessibility challenges arise.
The NCC said its current efforts build on its longstanding “Let the Blind Read” campaign and continued engagement with organisations of blind persons, publishers, libraries, technology providers and development partners.
Asein noted that the 2026 White Cane Day theme, “Promoting Independence, Inclusion and Equal Access for Persons Who Are Blind,” highlights the importance of dignity, mobility and the right of persons with visual disabilities to participate fully in society.
He called on stakeholders to support efforts to ensure that no child is disadvantaged by an inaccessible textbook and no individual is excluded from knowledge because of how they read.
“Once again, on this White Cane Day we call on everyone to Let the Blind Read,” he said.
