SIR - 2008 will be the National Year of Reading. This should be a time to encourage participation and celebrate the joy of reading.
Sadly three million blind, partially sighted, dyslexic and other print-disabled readers risk being excluded from this nationwide event due to the lack of accessible books.
A shocking 96 per cent of books published in the UK never make it into an accessible format, such as larger print, Braille, audio or electronic.
When a book is available, it is often many months after the standard print version and much more expensive. This book famine limits learning, leisure and social opportunities, making the world a smaller place. Can you imagine a world without books?
On behalf of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), I urge you to lend your support to the Right to Read campaign.
During the National Year of Reading we will continue our campaign for everyone to have the right to read the same book, at the same time, at the same price.
If reading matters to you, please sign our declaration at www.rnib.or.uk/righttoread.
Sir Trevor McDonald OBE, RNIB Supporter, c/o 105 Judd Street, London
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