From Monday 22 August 2005, Royal Mail will allow blind and partially sighted customers to send and receive large print items as part of the Articles for the Blind scheme.
The Articles for the Blind scheme has for many years, allowed blind and partially sighted people and organisations who communicate with them to send and receive braille, tapes, disks, talking books, talking newspapers and equipment specifically prepared for blind and partially sighted people through the post free of charge.
Royal Mail's decision to now include large print (minimum font size 16) materials into the scheme, follows RNIB and Royal Mail working together. This reflects the fact that blind and partially sighted people use large print as well as other formats.
Steve Winyard, RNIB's Head of Campaigns said: "RNIB is delighted that Royal Mail are including large print items within the Articles for the Blind scheme. The changes will mean that many more blind and partially sighted people will benefit from this excellent service."
Liz Woskett, age 35, from Essex who is partially sighted, said: "This is fantastic! For the first time ever I can receive and send letters via Articles for the Blind in large print. Congratulations to Royal Mail and RNIB for making this happen. Its a very welcome addition to the scheme that should help encourage individuals and organisations to think about the benefits of sending large print materials to blind and partially sighted people."
Sharon Palmer, Product Manager, Royal Mail said, "Royal Mail has offered a special service for blind people for nearly a century and is proud to do so with its unique access and reach to the UK's 27 million addresses. Each year over seven million items are sent using the service and Royal Mail absorbs the £5 million it costs. This change means that a broader range of items can now be sent for free to visually impaired people".
Other changes to the scheme
In the past there have been some inconsistencies in the way in which the Articles for the Blind scheme has been implemented across the country. Royal Mail hope that by re-issuing guidelines to their staff, all customers will receive a good service.
Royal Mail have also established a telephone helpline that people can use if they wish to send a sealed item of post through Articles of the Blind scheme.
Further information
A revised set of Articles for the Blind scheme guidelines have been developed explaining who can use the scheme, how it works and clarifying the changes. Copies can also be requested from RNIB's Helpline on 0845 766 9999 or 020 7388 2525 (some callers may find it cheaper to call a landline, so we have detailed both 08 prefixed numbers and landline equivalents where available).
For more information contact the Royal Mail Customer Services Team on 08457 740 740.
Get involved
Send us your comments! Email campaign@rnib.org.uk with your experience of using Articles for the Blind and/or reactions to the change. We will publish a selection on this page.
You can also join our Campaign Supporters' Network to keep up to date with our campaigns and how you can get involved. Call the Campaign Team on 020 7391 2123 or email campaign@rnib.org.uk