HiVis 2026: 1-14 June 2026
Taking place across the first two weeks of June, HiVis fortnight gives libraries across the UK the opportunity to highlight services and support for those with a vision impairment. As in previous years, Share the Vision, the library charity that organises HiVis, will be asking colleagues across all sectors to concentrate on two core things:
- Organising and highlighting local activities and provision across the libraries sector; and,
- Sharing positive content and messages on social media.
To help libraries and library workers join in with HiVis 2026, we will be producing a range of high quality digital promotional assets and supporting resources; all freely available to download from our website: www.readingsight.org.uk nearer to time.
Background
Every hour, another person in the UK goes blind; and around 2 million people in the UK are living with sight loss, and estimates suggest that this number could double by 2050. Therefore, it is very important that we reach out to those in the community who could benefit from libraries’ range of content and activities.
Resources
As noted above, a range of digital assets will be produced in English and Welsh language; and for use on X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky. Content will be provided in formats that will allow local libraries to adapt. There will also be a checklist to help you with your planning. Further information and guidelines on running events etc. are provided on the website: www.readingsight.org.uk .
If you want to get ahead of the game, we will be using Share the Vision’s X/Bluesky account: @ReadingSight and the hashtag #HiVis to help spread the word and feature activities that are going on. Alerts will also be sent out via the Reading Sight mailing list – and you might like to share information there about what you are doing too. Key supporting stakeholders will also be encouraged to participate and promote this annual event.
Suggested theme: National Year of Reading / ‘Go All In’
This year, given that everyone is going to be busy with the National Year of Reading and going all in ( https://goallin.org.uk/ ), we have decided to not complicate matters and are suggesting that we embrace this overarching programme, with an added accessible element.
During HiVis fortnight, we are hoping that everyone will shine a light on the Accessible Reading and the important role that alternative formats and accessible library services play in ensuring that all readers can find the book they want, in the format they need/choose. Also, that people with a vision impairment can engage in accessible activities, supported and provided by their library service.
What can libraries do?
As in previous years, we want libraries across the UK to highlight and celebrate all that you do to help people with vision and/or print impairments to access and connect to reading and library services. We want you to put on events and activities across the fortnight that bring this into focus; and raise awareness of all of this on social media.
Ideas for activities
- Embed HiVis fortnight into your National of Year of Reading planning and delivery
- Highlight the accessible stock that you have in your collections: large print, Audio/talking books, Braille, tactile, e-book/audio/magazines etc.; especially the fact that, in most cases, it will be freely available to people with an impairment
- Focus on the excellent, specialist library provision that is available via national specialist services (https://readingsight.org.uk/accessible-libraries/); and the formats and wide range of accessible content that they supply.
- Raise awareness of freely available and accessible digital provision (content, software/hardware, services, online support sessions etc.) – as covered in recent Share the Vision/Libraries Connected webinars (Webinars Archives – Reading Sight).
- Feature any accessible book groups or other ‘social’ sessions that you have going on in your libraries during the fortnight, and in general.
- Invite local ‘sight loss’ or disability groups and partner organisations in, to talk about the work they do, or to deliver an activity during the fortnight
Please engage with HiVis 2026 via X and Bluesky: @readingsight using the tag #HiVis
Please remember, if you are featuring images/photos of your activities on social media, please make sure that these images are accessible by providing an accompanying image/’Alt text’ description. There is advice online to help you (https://www.rnib.org.uk/accessibility-guidelines-alt-text-what-you-need-know ). For example, we use Camel Case, i.e. HiVis to make it easier for screen reader users.
Wider context
The availability of alternative formats and cultural engagement through libraries is critical to ensuring that people in the UK who are blind, or who have sight loss or anything that stops them from using standard print, can access, enjoy and share a diverse range of reading and experiences. In the National Year of Reading, it is particularly important that we use HiVis fortnight to stress the importance of accessible libraries and reading; and that we use this annual event to increase the profile of accessible library provision in the UK.
Thank you!