topic 3.1: protesters demand the right to read

http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,6109,1427270,00.html

A petition signed by 30,000 people was presented to Downing Street this lunchtime which urged ministers to do more to increase the availability of literature in braille, large print or on in audio formats. Seventy two percent of the British society thinks "the government should take the responsibility for ensuring blind and partially sighted people have the same access to books as sighted people". Right now, only 4,5% of books are available in braille, or on audio format or in large print. The petition, which was presented by blind and partially sighted children and adults, was organised by the Right to Read Alliance - a coalition of 17 organisations including the National Library for the Blind, the British Dyslexia Association and Royal National Institute of the Blind.

I think it's a good thing that this petition has been signed and handed over to the government. It may not come to mind to many people with sight, that there is just 4,5% of all the books in the world that blind or visually impaired people can read. I personally love to read, and I am happy with the hugh amount of books I can choose of. Therefor, I am really sorry for those who love to read but do not have a wide range of books to pick from. I think that reading books smartens people (it depends on the books, of course), and therefor everybody should have the same right to books - especially in a well-developed country as the UK. I can imagine visually impaired people having problems getting a job already, and by keeping them away of improving their skills out of books by simply not providing them, sounds rediculous to me.