RNIB is honoured to have worked alongside the Man Booker Prize to produce all six shortlisted novels in accessible formats before the announcement of the winner, in 2009, 2010 and again in 2011.
Collaborative approach
In 2009 the Prize included a clause in its rules, for the first time, that publishers of longlisted books are required to provide an electronic file to RNIB. This aids the timely production of the shortlist in braille, giant print and as an RNIB talking book, enabling blind and partially sighted people to enjoy the books that everyone is talking about.
The Man Booker Prize is the first book prize to introduce a clause like this. They have shown a fantastic commitment to blind and partially sighted people's right to read.
Information on this process is available in our frequently asked questions document.
Accessible versions
RNIB versions
RNIB produced all six shortlisted novels for 2011 in braille, giant print and as an RNIB talking book, before the announcement of the winner.
This is thanks to the generosity of the Man Group PLC Charitable Trust and The Booker Prize Foundation, as well as the positive participation of the publishers.
Commercial versions
We are also delighted that all six books are available commercially as eBooks with text to speech enabled, as well as being available commercially in unabridged audio.
This means that blind and partially sighted people who are not in touch with RNIB also have an opportunity to enjoy these books. This is an exciting development that is widening access for print impaired readers.
Interview with Julian Barnes
You can listen to an interview with Julian Barnes, the 2011 winner, on RNIB's Insight Radio website.
More information
For more information on RNIB's work with Man Booker contact publisheradvice@rnib.org.uk