Brussels, 12/12/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Blind Union (EBU) has called on the European Parliament to protect the right of the blind and of persons suffering from partial blindness to be part of the information society. These persons must use a programme known by the name of "screen reader" for reading information available on the Internet. It transfers the text into synthetic vocal reading mode or temporarily into Braille. This technology is not always compatible with copyright and security measures in force on the Web. It does not allow access to images and graphics. The draft directive on copyright, currently being examined by the European Parliament's Committee on Legal Affairs, makes the situation worse by preventing those concerned from legally using these technical means. They call on MEPs to repeal Article 6.4.4. of the draft, to ensure that copyright holders allow them - as beneficiaries of exceptions - to overcome the technical and legal obstacles.