Can you imagine how you'd feel if the print shrunk on your favourite book to the point where it was too tiny or fuzzy to read? Or not being able to enjoy a bedtime story with your child or grandchild because you couldn't see the words to read out loud?
Blind and partially sighted readers face a dramatically limited choice of titles. New research commissioned by RNIB shows that just seven per cent of all titles are available in large print, unabridged audio and braille, including titles available in these formats as ebooks.
One in five people aged 75 and over live with sight loss. The lack of accessible books means that blind and partially sighted people of all ages cannot enjoy the broadened horizons or pure escapism that comes from a good read.
How we help
Our National Library Service offers more than 19,000 Talking Book titles and 25,000 braille titles, as well as an increasing number of giant print titles.
We also work with the publishing industry to ensure that 'must have' books, like the Harry Potter titles, are available in audio and braille at the same time as the print book.
How you can help
Our volunteers help Talking Book customers in their homes. Find out more about volunteering opportunities in your area.
We want publishers to produce more large print and audio books and ensure that blind and partially sighted people of all ages can read their ebooks.
Bookshops and libraries must also increase their stock of large print and audio books.
Just £5 a month helps combat the isolation felt by many people losing their sight, by providing as many RNIB Talking Books as they can read throughout the year. Donate now.
Read our 2011 Lost for words report, with the latest statistics and stories about sight loss and reading.