[Editorial] The Blind Can't Study With No Books

You can determine how mature a society is by its policy towards the handicapped. How much a society cares for the handicapped also says a lot about how conscientious it is.

They say there are few books in Braille other than novels. They say it is difficult to find books needed by university students or translations of specialized publications, something unbecoming of a country that is looking to enjoy a GNP of US$20,000. It allows the handicapped to lead independent lives and it is good for the whole of society if handicapped individuals can acquire expertise, and yet blind university students have to study without textbooks, or they apply to have books translated and have a hard time getting them before the semester is over. There urgently needs to be a fully complete system of Braille translation to support their desire to study. It is hard enough to overcome one's handicap to pursue study; people should not look on as if it is not their business when the see the difficulties of students who cannot obtain reference materials or textbooks.

It is irresponsible to write off the lack of ample translations of specialized publications as being because of low demand or a lack of specialists. A climate where blind students are unable to find the books they need hurts their desire to study, and that leads to low demand and a lack of trained translators. Therefore the issue should be approached as something that helps the handicapped engage in independent participation in society instead of something relating to the principle of supply and demand. The government, universities, and social organizations need to make sure blind students are not kept from studying because of a lack of a minimum amount of translations. Publishing houses need to move quickly to resolve concerns about leaks and copyright protection so that they can maintain computer files of their books and give them to Braille translation agencies as needed. There also needs to be concern as to whether people suffering from other handicaps are being kept from their studies.

The Hankyoreh, 4 August 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]