Copyright: Copyright and Accessibility

There are some exceptions in place to allow for access to information for people with disabilities. These exceptions allow them to use copyrighted information without seeking authorisation from the copyright holder. Ireland as a member of the EU  is a signatory to the Marakech Treaty and by that it is committed to making information accessible to people with visual impairments and print disabled . Accessibility is incorporated into the Irish Copyright law so institutions like libraries and education institutions are encouraged to make accessible copies available for people with disabilities.

UCD as an institution is committed to accessibility, inclusivity and through the Access and Lifelong office, support is offered extensively to ensure that students and staff have equal access to information and services and can access information is formats suitable for their needs. For more information on the supports available please visit https://www.ucd.ie/all/ucdstudents/support/disabilitysupport/

Examples of exceptions for accessibility

• making Braille, audio or large-print copies of books and periodicals for visually impaired people
• adding audio description to films or broadcasts for visually impaired people
• adding subtitles to films or broadcasts for deaf or hard of hearing people
• making accessible copies of books, newspapers or magazines for dyslexic people

Who can make the copy

•  Individuals, or someone acting on their behalf (for example a parent or carer), can make a copy of a work in a format that is accessible to them (an 'accessible copy') which is strictly for their own personal use.
• Authorised bodies (for example educational institutions or charities) can create and make available an 'accessible copy' to disabled persons which is strictly for their own personal use.

Accessible copies can be part of, or the whole of, a copyright work, but there are certain legal requirements that need to be met in order for the exception to apply.  These include:

• the accessible copy must have been made from a legally-accessed original (the individual must own an original copy, or an authorised body should own or subscribe to it).
• the original can only be altered in ways that are absolutely necessary to enable it to be into an accessible format.