The Government has launched a public consultation exercise on proposed amendments to make copyrighted works more accessible to the visually impaired community in Singapore.

It is seeking to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty, an international agreement by member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization, to facilitate access to published works for people who are visually impaired.

Under the current copyright regime, institutions are limited to reproducing literary and dramatic works into Braille, large print, photographic and sound recorded formats only. The proposed amendments will look to include new formats such as electronic books.

Architectural and engineering drawings and other art can also be reproduced under the amendment, while copies of work may be exchanged and shared with foreign institutions.

Mr Michael Tan, executive director of The Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH) said: "The proposed amendments to the Copyright Act will certainly open doors for persons with reading disabilities to enjoy greater access to copyrighted materials."

The public can provide feedback through the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore's website or the REACH consultation portal.