Swimming upstream

While World Book and Copyright Day is recognized globally on April 23rd, the complex nature of copyright legislation with respect to electronic book access in both Canada and the U.S. is an ongoing issue.
 
The lobby to maintain these exemptions limits the market for authors, publishers, and from personal perspective, blind and partially sighted consumers. 
 
I have always been known as someone consistently swimming upstream in the aim of accessibility, and I consider access to copyrighted e-Text and audio books for blind individuals to be no exception.   
 
The advent of accessible and usable technologies has made it possible for blind individuals to participate more fully than ever before, but despite this reality, the current copyright exemptions and practices that are in place not only limit participation, but if maintained, will deny blind and partially sighted access to the mainstream market.
 
Mainstream solutions ensure full and equal participation for all consumers, and is as simple as offering access to books via electronic devices in the same way that CD’s are available for audio access. Equality, in this reference, is not possible without personal choice. 
 
So, I swim upstream and sometimes find rest on the beach of reason, as I continue to believe that the participation of those who have  experienced  inaccessible design have the insights to identify important communications solutions.  The insights will bolster the economy and help our minds catch up to the realities of technological innovation that is accessible and usable by everyone.