Here you will find research into blind and partially sighted people's experience of accessing information, products and services, as well as studies into good practice in accessibility.This page displays the most recent reports published in this category. For other reports in this area please visit the Research Library.
Bollywood for all
Research project carried out by RNIB and Agroni Research into the demand, from blind and partially sighted viewers, for audio described Bollywood films in the UK and India. Published September 2009 by RNIB.
Bollywood for all Executive summary (Word, 83KB)
Bollywood for all Executive summary (PDF, 411KB)
Bollywood for all Full report (Word, 474KB)
Bollywood for all Full report (PDF, 1116KB)
International survey of tactile reading codes
Survey of tactile reading codes used around the world, including investigation of whether a tactile code alternative to braille may be required. Published August 2009 by RNIB's Centre for Accessible Information.
International survey of tactile reading codes (Word, 342KB)
Braille in the 21st Century
RNIB commissioned the Visual Impairment Centre for Teaching and Research (VICTAR) at the University of Birmingham to conduct research into the teaching of braille to people who have lost their sight in adulthood. The report details findings from interviews with visually impaired people and service providers. Published July 2009 by University of Birmingham.
Braille in the 21st Century Executive summary (Word, 97KB)
Braille in the 21st Century Full report (Word, 647KB)
Converter tools evaluation
Overview of a range of converter tools for creating accessible formats. Published June 2009 by RNIB's Centre for Accessible Information.
Converter tools evaluation (Word, 227KB)
Towards synthetic speech for talking books
Research into how members of RNIB's talking book service feel about the idea of having some talking books produced in synthetic speech. Published May 2009 by RNIB's Centre for Accessible Information.
User attitudes towards synthetic speech for talking books (Word, 418KB)
Accessible information from local authorities
Research into the availability of accessible formats from local authorities. Published March 2009 by RNIB's Centre for Accessible Information.
Accessible information provision from local authorities (Word, 163KB)
Health Inequalities Workshop
Tackling health inequalities in relation to sight loss: developing effective strategies for groups most at risk. A report based on a workshop held on 21 January 2009.
Exploring Tactile Graphics
Literature review into effective strategies for exploring Tactile Graphics. Published November 2008 by RNIB's Centre for Accessible Information.
Exploring Tactile Graphics (Word, 208KB)
Exploring use of synthetic speech
Literature review into blind and partially sighted people's use of synthetic speech, and related research into acceptance of synthetic voices. Published November 2008 by RNIB's Centre for Accessible Information.
Exploring use of synthetic speech (Word, 185KB)
eBooks review
A review of available ebook readers, formats and services looking at how this upcoming way of reading might be accessible for blind and partially sighted reders. Published October 2008 by RNIB's Centre for Accessible Information.
eBooks review (Word, 374KB)
Access to Health Report
RNIB commissioned the Information Centre for Health and Social Care and Dr Foster Holdings LLP, to conduct a national survey in 2008 and the results have been published in the report:
Towards an Inclusive Health Service: a research report into the availability of health information for blind and partially sighted people, 2008