Why Universal Literacy matters for Children and Young Adults with Specific Needs?

Abstract

All United Nations member states approved 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which includes SDGs. “Libraries” are not mentioned in this strategic document. However, “a world with universal literacy” is mentioned in “Our vision” of the Agenda as one of overarching goals of SDGs. The 2030 Agenda also stresses “leaving no one behind”.

IFLA declares its support and contributions to the Agenda representing global library communities. The author discusses innovation, new findings, and unmet needs around library services for children and young adults with specific needs in addition to good practices. International instruments such as 2030 Agenda, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and WIPO Marrakesh Treaty as well as international accessibility standards will be discussed as tools to achieve the cross-border goals. Harmonization of “adaptation to meet a specific need” and “universal design development to reduce adaptation as much as possible” will be stressed to make the “universal literacy” real. In this context, linking needs of individuals and international standards development will be discussed.

Case study on the Accessible Book Consortium as one of the most promising cross-border exchange mechanisms of accessible alternative publication in accessible and easy to understand format will be discussed in relation to the Marrakesh Treaty. Emerging issues of media accessibility will be a cross-cutting issue and opportunity to meet the needs of children and young adults with visual and/or auditory, cognitive, intellectual, or mental disabilities. Multilingual services issues and opportunities will be discussed too.