The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

1. (a) Thousands of citizens in this State have disabilities (including blindness or visual impairment) that prevent them from using conventional print material.
2. (b) The State fulfills an important responsibility by providing books and magazines prepared in Braille, audio, and large-type formats made available to eligible blind persons and persons with disabilities.
3. (c) The technology, transcription methods, and means of distribution used for these materials are labor-intensive and cannot support rapid dissemination to individuals in rural and urban areas throughout the State.
4. (d) Lack of direct and prompt access to information included in newspapers, magazines, newsletters, schedules, announcements, and other time-sensitive materials limits educational opportunities, literacy, and full participation in society by blind persons and persons with disabilities.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)