What is Round Table?

Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Inc (Round Table) has a broad membership of education, government, business, alternate format producers, community and disability organisations throughout Australia and New Zealand with the following mission:

“To facilitate and influence the production and use of quality alternative formats for people with print disabilities by optimising the evolving Round Table body of knowledge.”

What is a print disability?

According to the Copyright Act 1968 (Interpretation part 2. section 10, page 13) a “person with a print disability” means:

A person without sight; or
A person whose sight is severely impaired; or
A person unable to hold or manipulate books or to focus or move his or her eyes; or
A person with a perceptual disability

In practice, this includes examples such as:

People who are blind or vision impaired
People with severe arthritis who may have difficulty holding a book or turning pages
People suffering from multiple sclerosis who may have functional eyesight but be unable to read due to severe shaking of their head or hands
People with other types of physical disability or injuries that inhibit the easy use of reading materials such as books, magazines or newspapers
People with a perceptual disability, such as dyslexia

Why is information access so important?

Access to information for people with a print disability, be it in traditional formats such as large print, braille and audio, or in newer and emerging electronic technologies such as the world wide web, structured e-text, e-commerce and interactive voice response, ensures that all people have access to the thoughts and ideas which make a society.

This means people with a print disability have access to the same educational, recreational, social and business opportunities as the rest of the community. Without accessible information active and full participation in society is denied to those with a print disability.

The principal role of the Round Table is to produce standards and guidelines on the production of material in accessible formats including braille, large print, e-text and audio.

Round Table Conference

An annual conference is organised each year to provide members with updates on areas of interest. The aims are:

To share information about the latest developments in the provision of accessible information
To enhance dialogue between users and providers of accessible information
To showcase examples of best practice in the provision of accessible information to peopled with a print Disability in the work place and the community sector, which includes businesses, agencies, tertiary institutions, libraries, Commonwealth, State and Local government, etc
To exchange ideas and enhance peer support networks

Structure

Executive Committee

The Round Table Executive Committee is composed of members elected to committee positions at the Round Table Annual General Meeting in accordance with the Round Table Constitution. A job description for each position is available by clicking on the position title. All positions are voluntary and include:

A part time Administration Officer supports the Committee in its work and receives a small remuneration determined by the Committee.

Members

Member organisations range from state government departments, direct service providers, production organisations, tertiary institutions, libraries, through to volunteer based community groups.
Members have exclusive access to the members’ area, which houses minutes and working documents.
Find out more about the advantages of Round Table membership.

Australian Braille Authority

The Australian Braille Authority (ABA) is a subcommittee of Round Table. It has the specific focus of promoting the use and production of braille, including the accreditation of braille transcribers and monitoring overseas developments.

Australia and New Zealand Accessibe Graphics Group

The Australia and New Zealand Accessible Graphics Group (ANZAGG) is a subcommittee of the Round Table. Its focus is on access to graphics using strategies including (but not limited to) enlargement, tactile graphics, description, 3D printing and sonification.

Working Parties

Round Table working parties are formed to complete specific tasks or projects for the Round Table.

Further Information

For more information about the Round Table, see our answers to Frequently Asked Questions or contact us.

Last updated: November 9, 2023 at 14:07 pm