Reading Sight

Reading Sight is a one-stop shop for people who are looking for information that will help them to support visually and/or print impaired readers.

Hi-VIS Fortnight 2021: 7-20 June 2021

An opportunity to raise the profile of accessible library services, collections, and activities, and to connect people with a vision or print impairment to reading.

Two visually impaired readers with a stack of audio books

In libraries

Find out more about making your local library accessible and setting up reading groups

Girl reading large print book in classroom

Accessible reading

Learn more about accessible formats and new reading technology

Latest News

Supporting Inclusivity of People Living with Sight Loss

For those of us with full sight, it can be hard to imagine life without it. However, according to HelpingHandsHomecare.co.uk, people can confidently face any difficulty associated with a visual impairment – all they need is “a little extra help from professional and medical experts, as well as family and friends.” Communi...

‘I can’t see to read books anymore. The library staff know what authors I like and request items for me, it is a lifeline to me.’
Talking with Readers quote from library user, Libraries Connected

The Vision and Print Impaired People’s Promise sets out the experience that people with blindness, sight loss and other print disabilities should have through public library services. We want everyone who visits a public library to be inspired by an exciting accessible environment which makes reading and seeking information a pleasure.

‘All the time I can still access reading I don’t feel as if I’m outside society. I just feel I’m engaging in a different way. But if I couldn’t read I would feel as if I was completely on the margins’
Assessing the Impact of Reading for Blind and Partially Sighted Adults, RNIB

You may be in the lucky position of working in a library which is already well used by visually-impaired people and their families and friends. However, here are some ideas if your library seems to have very few visually-impaired users and no one from local groups visiting.