Introduction

This chapter introduces the core themes central to the monograph including the importance of the written word to the realisation of fundamental human rights, the concept and reality of the global book famine, and a brief preliminary note on the Marrakesh Treaty. It frames the monograph as a tool to be utilised in the pursuit of the resolution of the book famine and the realisation of the rights of persons who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled. The theoretical approach taken in the monograph is elaborated as being emancipatory, inclusive, and human rights-based. The key contributions of the monograph are also outlined, along with a synopsis of the subject matter discussed in each chapter. This ranges from copyright law and theory, disability rights law, substantive analysis of the formulation and national implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty, to recommendations for paving the way forward towards improving the daily lives of those affected by the global book famine.