Helping libraries support people with sight loss Pat Beech, Tom Forrest and Simon Morgan

Why a new website? Who is it for? What’s on it? When will it be ready? Where? www.readingsight.org.uk

Why a new website?

Who is it for?

What’s on it?

When will it be ready?

Where?

There are 378,000 people in the UK who are registered as blind or partially sighted; 315,000 in England, 38,000 in Scotland, 20,000 in Wales and 5,000 in Northern Ireland About 2 million people in the UK self define as having a sight problem or seeing difficulty www.readingsight.org.uk

There are 378,000 people in the UK who are registered as blind or partially sighted; 315,000 in England, 38,000 in Scotland, 20,000 in Wales and 5,000 in Northern Ireland

About 2 million people in the UK self define as having a sight problem or seeing difficulty

1 million extra people who are print disabled Therefore, about 3 million people or 5 % of the population need adjustments to standard print to be able to read www.readingsight.org.uk

1 million extra people who are print disabled

Therefore, about 3 million people or 5 % of the population need adjustments to standard print to be able to read

Only 4.4% of titles published by UK publishers 1999-2003 were reproduced in an alternative format by either commercial or voluntary sectors LISU Findings 2005 www.readingsight.org.uk

Only 4.4% of titles published by UK publishers 1999-2003 were reproduced in an alternative format by either commercial or voluntary sectors

LISU Findings 2005

RNIB National Library Service Calibre Clearvision Custom Eyes Books NBCS Talking Newspapers Cue and Review Bag Books www.readingsight.org.uk

RNIB National Library Service

Calibre

Clearvision

Custom Eyes Books NBCS

Talking Newspapers

Cue and Review

Bag Books

There are not enough books available in alternative formats, so: we need to make sure we know how to access the whole range of services that are available www.readingsight.org.uk

There are not enough books available in alternative formats, so:

we need to make sure we know how to access the whole range of services that are available

There are not enough opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to engage in reading activities, so: we need to explore ways to make our programmes accessible; and tell people about it! www.readingsight.org.uk

There are not enough opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to engage in reading activities, so:

we need to explore ways to make our programmes accessible; and

tell people about it!

There are many agencies who want to help blind and partially sighted people to access and enjoy reading, but it’s a complicated landscape. So: we need to make sure we know what all the agencies do; and explore ways to work together more effectively www.readingsight.org.uk

There are many agencies who want to help blind and partially sighted people to access and enjoy reading, but it’s a complicated landscape. So:

we need to make sure we know what all the agencies do; and

explore ways to work together more effectively

Best Practice Manual Esm é Fairbairn Training Feedback from blind and partially sighted readers Gateway champions www.readingsight.org.uk

Best Practice Manual

Esm é Fairbairn Training

Feedback from blind and partially sighted readers

Gateway champions

Free UK national offer Web- based Accessible Audience www.readingsight.org.uk

Free UK national offer

Web- based

Accessible

Audience

Live from mid July 2009 www.readingsight.org.uk

Live from mid July 2009

www.readingsight.org.uk