Newly launched children’s storybook promotes literacy
Launched ahead of World Book and Copyright Day, which takes place on April 23, Crossing the Road seeks to promote literacy for people with visual impairment.
Catalysts for change, SECTION27 and Blind SA in partnership with Nal’ iBali launched a storybook Crossing the Road at Sibonile School for the Blind in Kliprivier on April 19.
The book best highlights how barriers to accessible reading formats violate the rights of blind and visually impaired persons.
The storybook is translated into 11 official languages, printed in Braille and large print and is available online on SECTION27 and Blind SA’s website.
Crossing the Road is a children’s storybook which vividly recounts the incredible true-life story of Justice Yacoob.
He is a former Constitutional Court judge of South Africa who permanently became blind as a child.
The book, authored by Kurt Ellis, describes Yacoob’s challenges at various stages throughout his life in accessing books in Braille and how he rose above this to become a judge in the highest court of the land.
Central to Justice Yacoob’s story are the ‘roads’ he could not cross in his struggle for education, but also in his quest for equality and dignity for all people during the Apartheid era and well into post-democratic South Africa.
Best reflects his life’s story
Yacoob faced challenges as a blind person, even as a retired judge.
In 2022, Justice Yacoob supported Blind SA and SECTION27 in their fight against the Copyright Act and its discriminatory effects as it limited access to works in accessible formats, such as Braille or large print.
The court also granted an immediate exception to copyright for persons with visual disabilities, allowing them to convert works into accessible formats without first getting authorisation from the copyright holder.
“This book is an important reminder of the many challenges persons who are blind or visually impaired face because of the lack of access to accessibly formatted books and how crucial it is that their rights be upheld to ensure they can participate equally in society,” explained Demichelle Petherbridge, an attorney at SECTION27.
Jace Nair, CEO of Blind SA, said Crossing the Road is a story that highlights the struggles with the ‘book famine’ that impacts blind and partially sighted people.
“The book will be distributed to primary school learners in Gauteng and through the Nali’ Bali Newspaper to create greater awareness on World Book and Copyright Day,” he said.
Lindiwe Mhlungu, Sibonile School for the Blind’s principal, said the book will make a great contribution to the lives of youngsters.
“On behalf of the school management, it was such an honour to be part of this event. Justice Yacoob is living proof and motivation, especially to those who’re in the visually impaired sector. This event is freedom to a child born blind,” she said.
