On Thursday evening (June 28, 2018), the United States Senate formally voted to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled.

While the United States signed the treaty shortly after it was drafted in 2013, it now joins 40 other state parties that have formally ratified the legislation.

This treaty allows for copyright exceptions to assist in the creation of accessible versions of print materials (books and other copyrighted materials) for visually impaired people.

The hope is that this ratification will make it easier for the US to ratify other treaties, including the CRPD, in the future.

Read more about the ratification decision Here.