'Baen Enables the Disabled': Leading sci-fi publisher sets example for e-bookdom

E-book publishing isn't the friendliest industry for the disabled, who, even more than others, suffer from the effects of Draconian DRM---all too often a horror for those using screen readers, for example.

Baen Books, a leading sci-publisher, which each month previews its p-books in e-format, earlier set an example through avoidance of DRM. Now it's gone another step by providing e-books free to the disabled. Here's a news release on Baen and ReadAssist, a group working with the disabled:

11/14/2006
Baen Books Free to Disabled Readers

Baen Books, a publisher of science fiction, will provide its books to fans who are blind, paralysed, or dyslexic, or are amputees, in electronic form free of charge, effective immediately.

Baen Books is making this offer in recognition of Veterans Day, and all our disabled military veterans. Many Baen authors are veterans themselves, using a military setting as the setting of their tales. Right now convalescing vets might welcome an exciting, fast-action tale to pass the time.

Jim Baen, founder of Baen Books, who passed on June 28, 2006, decided to "provide each challenged reader with a permanent pass" to the regular e-publication of Baen’s new books. His successor, publisher Toni Weisskopf, is implementing his idea with this program.

Since 1999, Baen has published its new books as ebooks each month, in several formats, with no Digital Rights Management, through WebScriptions, for a small fee. Now, this service will be available at no cost to the disabled, who must apply for this privilege.

Applications will be processed by ReadAssist, a volunteer group devoted to helping disabled readers find the books they want in the form they need, and join the community of fandom. The application form has been set up by ReadAssist, and can be found through either WebScriptions or ReadAssist.

If you'd like to volunteer to help ReadAssist, please contact them at...query@readassist.org.

(Via the Book People list.)