30 Years of the DAISY Consortium
Today, we celebrate an important milestone: 30 years of the DAISY Consortium.
Let me briefly take you back to where it all began.
In the late 1980s, the Swedish Library of Talking Books and Braille recognized a growing frustration among users: analogue talking books were slow, difficult to navigate, and limited in functionality. Some of you may remember these audio books on 6 or more compact cassettes. This led to an early project to explore digital solutions, aimed at making books easier to navigate, searchable, and far more flexible for readers. By the mid‑1990s, this work had evolved into the first DAISY prototype, and in 1996, 6 international talking book libraries came together to form the DAISY Consortium, with the shared ambition of driving the transition to digital accessible reading worldwide. And they were right to do so. Three of the people who were at the early days of the DAISY Consortium are still active today. The importance of their contribution is immense: Hiroshi Kawamura, George Kerscher and Francisco Martinez Calvo.
Over the past three decades, DAISY has grown into a truly global consortium, bringing together libraries, specialist producing organizations, publishers, and technology partners. Together, we have built standards, tools, and services that have transformed accessible publishing.
Before I continue, allow me to add a personal note. Although not as long as Hiroshi and George, but I have been part of the DAISY Board since 2001. Throughout all those years, I have always considered it a privilege to contribute to this shared mission. And for six years now, I’m having the honor of serving as Chair of this Consortium.
What has impressed me most, year after year, is the enthusiastic commitment of our community. Because it is our members and friends who bring DAISY to life. Through your expertise, your innovation, and your willingness to collaborate, you turn ambition into real impact. Whether it is developing standards, producing accessible content, supporting users, or driving adoption in your own countries, you are the foundation of everything we achieve together.
At the same time, we should recognize the equally essential role of the DAISY staff. Your expertise, dedication, and continuity ensure that ideas are translated into action, that projects move forward, and that collaboration across our global network truly works. You provide the backbone of this Consortium, and your commitment is vital to our success.
And together, this collective effort has made a difference:
- We introduced structured digital talking books
- We set the worldwide standard for accessible publications
- We developed tools for the production of accessible books
- We contributed to the development of EPUB and made sure the EPUB accessibility standard was adopted
- We supported the evolution from specialized formats to mainstream accessibility
- And perhaps most importantly:
We helped shift accessibility from something exceptional… to something expected.
Today, accessibility is increasingly embedded in legislation, in publishing workflows, and in digital products. The Marrakesh Treaty, the European Accessibility Act, and similar initiatives around the world reflect progress that DAISY has actively supported and influenced.
But while we celebrate, we also recognize that our work is far from complete. Because access to information is still not equal. Too many people with print disabilities still face barriers in education, employment, and participation in society.
And the world around us is changing rapidly. New technologies like artificial intelligence, automated content generation, immersive media, are creating new opportunities, but also new risks. If accessibility is not built in from the start, the gap may widen again.
That is why DAISY remains as relevant today as it was 30 years ago. Our role is not only to innovate, but also to connect. To bring together expertise from across the world. To ensure that standards remain practical and widely adopted. To support capacity building and knowledge sharing. And to keep the needs of users at the center of everything we do.
What makes DAISY unique is this collaboration. No single organization could have achieved what we have achieved together. And no single organization can solve the challenges ahead alone. So, as we celebrate 30 years, we also look forward. Forward to a future where accessibility is truly universal. Where accessible content is not a separate track, but the default. And where people with print disabilities have equal opportunities to learn, work, and participate.
Thirty years ago, DAISY started as an idea. An idea that access to information should not depend on how you read. Today, that idea has become a global movement. And tomorrow, it is up to all of us to continue that work.
Thank you for your commitment, your collaboration, and your belief in our shared mission. And congratulations to all of you on 30 years of DAISY.
Our thanks to Maarten Verboom, Chairman of the DAISY Consortium, for this presentation which was originally delivered at the DAISY AGM in Oslo, Norway, June 2026.
The work of the DAISY Consortium is only possible thanks to our members and supporters. We offer a wide range of membership levels enabling individuals and organizations of all sizes to support and participate in our work. If you would like to discuss supporting our work please contact us.