Helping visually impaired people

The exception covers you if you:

• Are visually impaired, blind or partially sighted
• Cannot focus or move your eyes

It allows you to make a copy of a lawfully obtained copyright work if you make it into a format that helps you read the material.

For example, if you buy a book from a shop then make a Braille copy to help with your visual impairment then you are not infringing the copyright in the book.

This is a general rule. You should understand the limitations and conditions before seeking to rely upon this exception.

One-for-one exception

This exception generally removes the need to seek permission from the copyright owners before you make an accessible copy for your personal use, or you make an accessible copy for someone else who is visually impaired.

The one-for-one exception applies to you as a visually impaired person when:

• You cannot read a book, magazine, newspaper or other text based copyright material that you loaned or bought
• You cannot read the material in a reference library.

The copyright material does not have to be published for the exception to apply.

This exception also makes it possible for others such as teachers, parents, friends, carers and librarians to help you make an accessible copy to overcome your visual impairment. For example:

• Braille
• large print
• audio tape
• a digital copy compatible with screen-reading technology.