Right to Read Week - 15-21 November 2004

Activities include:

• The publication of a report (Monday 15 November), Written Off , which will reveal that the minuscule proportion of books people with print disabilities can read in formats such as large print, braille, and audio books is decreasing. (Currently only 5 per cent of books and publications are published in accessible formats).


• A parliamentary reception at the House of Commons on Tuesday 16 November. The event will be hosted by the Right Hon Chris Smith MP with guest speaker Jacqueline Wilson - currently the UK's most frequently-borrowed author from public libraries. Guests attending include high profile authors Sebastian Faulkes, Wendy Holden, and Julian Fellowes.


• Media activity supported by high profile authors who are backing the campaign.


• Media campaign to encourage the public to sign the Right to Read Charter which is being presented to the Government on World Book Day (3 March 2005).

"Our research tells a frustrating story," says David Mann, RNIB's Right to Read Spokesperson. He adds: "While the number of books and other reading materials available to sighted people is growing dramatically, the proportion of those books which are published in accessible formats is falling. Our message is clear - the Government must act to end the book famine now. They must support and fund the production of more books in accessible formats."

- Further information from the Royal National Institute for the Blind at: www.rnib.org.uk

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