One children’s book in nine accessible formats

The project promotes the concept of inclusion through book workshops for children, teachers, and educators allowing children aged 7 to 11 years to experience inclusion in a sensory and playful way. The main feature is the children's book "Sonhos do Dia" (Dreams of the Day), which is presented in nine diverse and accessible formats.

Problems Targeted

The project acknowledges the vital role that stories play in the personal and social development of the child, and it aims to promote the experience of accessibility to young readers and address the urgent issue of discrimination of persons with disabilities.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

The project promotes the accessible book as a crucial tool of empowerment for socially vulnerable groups and the protection of fundamental human rights. The initiative was created without hierarchizing disabilities, and serves persons with dyslexia, pervasive developmental disorder, and illiterate people alike. It also provides the opportunity for new generations to avoid and eliminate discriminatory attitudes towards persons with disabilities. Published in nine accessible formats, SONHOS DO DIA, by Claudia Werneck, was developed with the participation of sign language interpreters and audio description technicians. Participants learn about and reflect on the relationship between the concept and the experience of inclusion. Notably, an interactive installation inspired by the book has been added to a famous cultural centre in Rio de Janeiro. There, children have the opportunity to experience all the accessible formats available in the publication.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

WVA Editora has the expertise to help other publishers and organizations to replicate this project. It is true that depending on the book, the accessible formats can cost up to 15-times the publishing cost of a printed book. On the other hand, publishing a book in DAISY format, for example, can be relatively inexpensive if the book has no pictures or images. Soon, sign language software will work just like the best screen readers today. The more WVA participates in forums and conferences and helps to develop a pool of accessibility specialists and professionals, the more it sees that the future of our inclusive communities will be a rich mix of new technologies and human talent. What is needed to spread a project like "Every person has the right to know all stories" is dialogue and more inspiring examples of inclusive publishing. Because of its focus on inclusion, 10 of WVA's publications have been recommended by both UNICEF and UNESCO.