Development strategy of the alternative format materials for disabled people in Korea

Purpose – Disabled people have the same information needs as non‐disabled people. Nevertheless, only 5 per cent of the world's publishing output is made accessible in alternative formats for people who cannot access and use printed materials. This paper aims to suggest the strategy for a national development plan, role models for production and distribution of the alternative format materials for the equitable library service for Koreans with print disabilities. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a series of pre‐research studies and discusses arguments for and principles of an alternative format materials development plan in terms of protecting access to information, eliminating the knowledge and information gap, the role of libraries and their social responsibilities, the inadequacy of materials currently available, production plans at the national level, and the advent of an era of digital distribution. Findings – This research presents a strategic development plan as well as a role division model concerning the production of alternative format materials based on the mid‐ to long‐term plan and a nation‐wide cooperative network centring on the National Library Support Center for Disabled People in Korea. Originality/value – The strategic development plan and a role division model concerning the production of alternative format materials presented in this study will improve consciousness about the gap in information.