Digital Right Management: The Challenges of Electronic Resource Accessibility for Blind and Visually Impaired Users in Libraries
Keywords:
Accessibility, Assistive technologies , Blind and visually impaired user , Digital right managementAbstract
This study explores the impact of Digital Rights Management (DRM) on the ability of blind and visually impaired (BVI) users to access electronic resources in libraries. This study employs an exploratory research methodology, conducting a comprehensive review of 42 articles published between 2002 and 2023. It examines the impact of Digital Rights Management (DRM) on the accessibility of electronic resources for blind and visually impaired (BVI) users in libraries, focusing on ten key areas.DRM, a key tool for content owners to protect intellectual property online, often limits unauthorized access to and use of copyrighted digital materials. However, these restrictions can hinder the effectiveness of assistive technologies essential for BVI users. The research identifies significant challenges, including how DRM obstructs access to digital educational resources and how legal frameworks, such as the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), further complicate the situation. While recent amendments to India's Copyright Act have improved access to some extent, DRM provisions continue to
create barriers to accessibility. The study highlights insufficient institutional support, with libraries lacking the
necessary resources for inclusive access. It calls for policy reforms that balance intellectual property protection and equitable access, advocating for fair use and adjustments to DRM systems to ensure both creators' rights and broader educational access.
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