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The Government will join an international treaty to improve access to written materials for blind and visually impaired New Zealanders, Disability Issues Minister Nicky Wagner and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Jacqui Dean say.

The Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled is an international framework that will enable the reproduction and distribution of books and other literary works in accessible formats.

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Goldsmith says submissions are overwhelmingly supportive of New Zealand joining an international treaty that will make more published works available to people with a print disability.

“The government released a discussion document in October seeking public feedback on whether New Zealand should accede to the international copyright agreement,” Mr Goldsmith says.