EasyConverter Express APP

The World Blind Union (WBU) is thrilled to share the news about a new app which has been developed to enable blind and partially sighted people to access information in braille, large print and audio formats.

The app, called EasyConverter Express, has been developed by Dolphin, with support from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and grant support from Google.org, as a gift to the World Blind Union (WBU) and International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI). The app is available worldwide in English, French & Portuguese and can be downloaded from www.YourDolphin.com/easyconverter-express. It is a free download for users in developing countries.

Over the years, the WBU has continued to strongly advocate for human rights of print-disabled persons by promoting availability of books and information in accessible formats. About 253 million blind and partially sighted people around the world lack access to printed works and cultural materials in accessi¬ble formats. Less than 10% of published works in developed countries are available in accessible formats while less than 1% are available in developing countries.

The development of the new EasyConverter Express app is therefore significant for our members specifically in developing countries as they can download the app for free and have optimal access to information and literacy materials.

Kevin Carey, Chair of the World Braille Council, said: “I truly believe EasyConverter Express is a game changing development for the millions of people living with sight loss in developing countries. It is a fabulously simple product, specifically designed to get braille, large print and audio to blind and partially sighted people in the world’s poorest countries. It’s free for people in developing countries and immediately available and I hope that it will make a big difference in terms of access to information and literacy.”
The EBU, as part of the World Blind Union, believes that access to information is a human right that must be enjoyed by all as a precondition for equal participation in society. We therefore call upon governments and the private sector to emulate Dolphin and Google's partnership efforts in providing alternative ways to access information without creating barriers to its use.
For more information about the new app, read the full Press Release