VOINews, Jakarta: The Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkum) emphasized that World Braille Day serves as a moment to raise awareness about the right to access information for all, particularly for persons with disabilities.
Agung Damarsasongko, Director of Copyright and Industrial Design at the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DJKI), underscored that World Braille Day is not merely a celebration but a reminder of the fundamental right to access books and knowledge for individuals with disabilities.
"Government Regulation (PP) No. 27 of 2019 was established to ensure inclusive access for persons with disabilities," Agung stated in a written statement issued in Jakarta on Saturday.
The regulation, known as PP No. 27/2019 on Facilitating Access to Works for Persons with Disabilities, underscores the government's commitment to inclusivity. It allows persons with disabilities to obtain, use, convert, reproduce, announce, distribute, and communicate works—either in part or in substantial form—through formats such as braille, audiobooks, or other accessible mediums, without facing legal barriers.
Furthermore, the regulation permits educational institutions, libraries, and other organizations to produce and distribute accessible formats without requiring copyright holder permission, provided they apply for facilitation through the Ministry of Law and Human Rights.
Since its enactment, DJKI has collaborated with various stakeholders to expand the availability of works in braille and audio formats. Agung highlighted that modern technology has been instrumental in enhancing accessibility. Digital-to-braille conversion devices and screen reader applications have become increasingly available.
"Technology acts as a bridge for persons with disabilities to connect with a broader world of knowledge. We encourage continuous innovation in this field," Agung added.
This regulation, he noted, represents a significant milestone in fostering equal access to literacy for all Indonesians.
Aria Indrawati, Head of Mitra Netra Foundation, shared similar sentiments, noting that prior to PP No. 27/2019, there were concerns about the legality of producing braille and audio books. This uncertainty diminished after Indonesia ratified the Marrakesh Treaty, which promotes access to published works for persons with disabilities.
"Before the regulation, many publishers questioned whether our work violated copyright laws. But with supportive regulations in place, such concerns have almost disappeared," said Aria.
Despite these advances, Aria acknowledged that awareness about accessible literacy resources remains limited among the public and even among persons with disabilities. Mitra Netra's online library currently has only 2,568 registered users, serving a visually impaired population of approximately four million in Indonesia.
"Nonetheless, we are committed to consistently producing and providing braille, audio, and digital books to visually impaired individuals across Indonesia free of charge," Aria concluded.
World Braille Day serves as a reminder that access to knowledge and information is a universal right, and the efforts to realize this vision continue to expand opportunities for a more inclusive society.ANTARA/VOI
