Stevie Wonder has been working hard to get an international pact approved that will see books and other reading materials become more accessible to the blind, and it finally happened today. As a result, Wonder will perform a special concert in Marrakesh on Friday.
The treaty was approved by over 600 negotiators from 186 states, which was no easy feat.
“This is a legacy, a gift to future generations. So let’s finalize a new agreement that opens doors to the world’s written treasures and moves towards a future where there are no barriers to the expansion of knowledge and enjoyment of culture,” Wonder said.
The major issue with having many written works turned into blind-accessible formats is that there are copyright laws which bind them. Now, several countries will adopt laws that will permit the works to be republished in braille, audio, and large-print form.
Wonder seems to have been inspired by his international philanthropy; he said recently that he may put a gospel tune sung in Arabic on his upcoming album.
“We’re going to do some traditional gospel stuff, but I’m thinking about doing a gospel song in Arabic,” he revealed. “I’m going to twist it all up in different ways, because I think everyone needs to hear the word of the gospel … whether they read the Koran, the Torah or the Bible, whatever they read.”
The concert will take place at the Palais des Congres in front of members of the diplomatic conference.