The Right to Read, the Marrakesh Treaty, and People with Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

The right to read can be realized for people with intellectual disabilities when we achieve the technical ability to transform texts into plain language formats and when we can agree on intellectual property rights for texts that are so transformed. We need to create plain language standards. Many of the out-of-school children and non-reading persons in the world have intellectual or learning disabilities. They need access to humane letters as well as important documents in order to participate fully in their personal and political lives. Plain language can benefit everyone.