IV. The Provision of Adapted books in the developing World

Considering the various problems we have observed in the industry of publishing for the visually impaired in developed countries, it is hardly surprising to find these problems multiplied in developing countries, some of whom may be struggling to produce enough mainstream books and textbooks for their population. According to WBU/UNESCO statistics, less than 10 % of the world’s VI population is literate and fewer that 15% of all VI children have access to education. There is often, in the developing world, a lack of even basic Braille materials such as slates, braillers, special paper and optical aids. The aim of associations and charities working with the visually impaired is therefore often concerned with helping access to reading materials, through printing equipment, audio recordings and recording equipment. Training in installation, servicing and operation of computerized Braille transcriptions, and in binding and storage of books is also often provided in priority.

There are wide differences in the available formats of adaptive books. With Braille often being the only format available. Large print is often not considered a priority and audio and electronic books prove expensive and complex to produce. "The recording of talking books require soundproof studios, reel and cassette recording equipment, tape and cassette duplicators, maintenance of equipment, storage and preservation and…human resource management of paid or voluntary transcribers and talking book readers" Paul Erhiels

The situation of adapted book publishing in Russia, Vietnam and Indonesia

-Russia
An expert report on the technical economic and organizational aspects of developing a service to produce Braille and recorded books in Russia was produced in 1992 by the RNIB, on the demand of the charity "Know how to fund". It estimated that the main source of information in Russia was embossed Braille and books on tape. The production was centralized consisting of a state–run printing house in Moscow and a printing house of the all Russia association for the blind in St. Petersburg. Both produced around 100 titles per year and several periodicals by embossing from metal plates. Tape books were recorded on half speed 4track. There was no production of large print titles save for elementary and secondary textbooks The situation was deemed unsatisfactory because of the limited number of book titles.
The vastness of the region covered and the unorganized communication services slowed distribution and the centralized system did not permit small publishing on individual and group request. It was decided to develop a network of regional information centers throughout the country, with Braille desktop publishing, where the material were entered in computers and printed out on Braille embossers and special recording equipment. The authors also recommended specialist training instruction for readers and technicians.
It was judged that the production of Braille could be improved with computer technology and Braille embossing without plates. The importation of Braille embossers who could emboss on both sides of Braille paper was deemed desirable. This process saves paper, which is expensive and reduces the volume of Braille books and consequently storage and maintenance problems. Suitable binding equipment that would lower costs in the long run were also recommended Following this report, the material provided for the Russian mission included Braille embossers, scanners, laser printers and cartridges and 4 track recorders.

-Vietnam
Currently the population of Vietnam is 70 million people and according to the statistics of the National Optical Institute and the Vietnam Blind association, there are around 600 00 blind and visually impaired people. The main causes of visual impairment are lack of vitamin A, cataract, measles and consequences of labour accidents and war. The causes of blindness in children are mainly measles and vitamin A deficiency.
There are 6 000 blind children under 15 in Vietnam of which 600 (10%) are in education. The production of computerized Braille production has long been the goal of professionals working with the blind in Vietnam. Before1998, all the material produced was on Perkins typewriters, page by page. Vietnamese software using Braille computers was produced in 1998, A 65 000 word dictionary in Braille and educational material has since then been produced. The principal goal is the continuation of material for junior schools, continuing the production of the dictionary and publishing magazines and novels for libraries.
Associations in Vietnam recommend increased cooperation with experts to practice new software for Braille computer production, and staff training and raising social awareness so as to allow more VI children to attend school

-Indonesia.
The department of Social Welfare estimated the number of visually impaired people in Indonesia in 1994 to be 0.9% of the population. It was estimated in 1999 that 200 000 school age children had visual impairment, 3500 of them attended school (5%).
There is very little cooperation between the government run resource centers, equipped with computers and embossers and the existing private associations. Six institutions produce Braille and talking books, without any real cooperation. Usually using zinc plates. Computer software has been developed that translates Indonesian print into Braille in both grades 1 and 2. Production is hard to ascertain but there seems to be a great need for books and this is the major problem faced by Visually impaired students.

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