Your experiences - Right to Read

Have you ever had problems finding your favourite book in a format you can read? Share your experiences and comments about the right to read.

About the Right to Read campaign

Comments so far:

• Stephanie, Mablethorpe
  I have a very good friend who is almost blind and am shocked that she cannot read the same books as us, also she cannot get any books for her uni course in large print. whats going on?
• Alison, Hook
  My son is dyslexic and finds reading difficult. He has maintained his interest in books through using audio books. As a result he has just completed A levels instead of giving up on school many years ago!
• Scott, Aberdeen
  I'm registered blind and love books. I use audio cds, but the lack of choice and expense is very frustrating.
• Marjorie, Barbados
  Firstly, let me say I am from Barbados and our percentage would be alot less than 96%. I am neither visually-impaired nor blind, however my job as a Rehabilitation Officer involves reading for some of my clients who, unfortunately have no one to read or source material for them, apart from a few talking libraries. Of course it is shocking that percentage cannot read. I endorse the Right to Read Campaign. Reading is the key to knowledge and this will keep persons aware of what is taking place not only in their country but worldwide.
• NICOLA, HEIGHINGTON VILLAGE
  My son has just been diagnosed with Mear-Irlen Syndrome and alot of books that he would love to read but is unable to do so through this condition are denied to him, thus I have to spend more time reading to him which he hates as he feels as if he is baby and he is 10yrs old and unable to read anything above a 5yrs level.
• Jill, Dorking
  Tahir Shah would like me to record his book 'In Arabian Nights' on to tape. I do record for friends as needed, but he suggested I contact you so you could make it available to all visually impaired people. This would mean I should need to use professionnal equipment. I simply read into my radio-recorder. Could you make this possible for me? It is an attractive book to read, being full of short stories, and I would love to do it. Currently I read on to tape for SAVI - Surrey Association for Visual Impairment.
• emma , exeter
  I get told about a lot of great books to read by my sighted friends and family and would love to read them but for 90% of the time i can not. This makes me feel discrimated against.
• Carole, Wakefield
  I used to be an avid reader, until I lost my ability to read in 2000, since then I've been supported by RNIB to read audio books and although this has helped a great deal it is very frustrating that the vast majority of books that I used to read are no longer available to me, even if I was able to puchase them. Libraries are available to allow and encourage people to read, but the service provided to print disabled people is vastly inferior to the service for everyone else and wholly inadequate.
• Kim, Southport
  My mum has age related macular degeneration (the dry type), she has always loved reading but now has to rely on the local library for large print books. They do not have a large selection of the authors she would like to read, very frustrating. She and I wish all books published were brought out in small and large print, we have an ageing population chances are more will need large print than small print in few years.
• Elaine, Bodicote
  Really miss being able to pick up a book and read. My library of 2,200 books sits in the garage and I'm unable to access it or find them in electronic or audio format. To convert them all to Kurzweill would take about 2 1/2 years of someone working full time and the images would not be as good.
• ESIN , bedford
  hi, i'm very glad you have such a campaign, i felt stronger to fight for my son, who has condition called Albinism and struggle to find the right enlarged books and the right help, his school gets books through visiul imparment team, but they get lost or not given regurlarly , he needs at least 38 font size if it is not 48 , it is shocking that people with sight problems can't read 96 per cent of books published in the uk, it makes me more scared someone has to do something about it. many thanks to you, and if there is anything I could do to support your campain.
• Catherine, Belvedere
  I work in a Library in Bexley. We have a selection of talking books on Tape and CD and Large Print books. We have a very small collection of Braille books for children. Sadly this comes down to funding and prioritising needs. We live in a demanding society now and somehow whatever we do it's still not enough. Things need to change and NOW.
• Clare, London
  As a keen reader I would be lost without the regular comfort of a good book.
• Rachel, Sheffield
  Its unthinkable in this day and age. Everyone has the right to read.
• Vicky, colchester
  I think it is absolutely shocking that people with sight problems cannot read 96 percent of books published. Information and reading materials in general exclude poeple with sight problems and also people that find it difficult to read words. To try and address this problem i am setting up a project initially in the Colchester, Essex area to make reading material and information accessible to people with differing needs and requirements. I 100 percent, back your campaign and the materials that you have on the website have been very useful for my market research.
• Valerie, Rotherham
  Everyone should have equal access to reading materials. The Government should make this a right for all blind people.
• Brenda, Rotherham
  I think everyone as the right to read not only books but all kinds of text, I love my spoken word from RNIB.
• Susan, St Columb
  I work in a library and, as WRVS, take books for the housebound. One of my readers is blind and looks forward to the books I take him as he says it makes him feel 'normal' - he enjoys discussing them with his son. Library funding means limited stock -scandalous!
• LINA, nottingham
  I totally support this campaign and it's well overdue - good for you!
• Andrea, Lydney
  I had a vague idea that large print books were few and far between from visiting my local library on behalf of an elderly relative, but I had no idea the percentage was so high! I am totally shocked and appalled as books are so precious and an invaluable source of information and pleasure.
• David, Prenton
  Whilst I am able to read without any problems I feel that people who have visual disabilities should have the same access to literature, of all genres, that I enjoy.
• margaret-anne, dunfermline
  My foremost enjoyment is reading but find it most frustrating that the choice of what I want to read is generally never available. I must say that Calibre do try to give as much choice as possible but there is that much available it is not possible to offer it all.
• Bernadette, Liverpool
  To be quite truthful i had never really thought about it till now as i'm training as a T.A and have been reading up about certain disabilities. Good Luck!
• Kelly, Nr Wareham
  At a time when reading is high on the agenda it is disgraceful that only 4% of books are made available to those who are partially sighted or blind and then when it is available it costs five times more
• Andrew, Gosport
  I was an avid reader until sight loss intervened at age 56. Now if I find the book I want it is invariably an abridged version and hugely expensive, not what I need now I am on a fixed pension.I have joined a club that provides books on CD and tape but the popular ones are in such demand you have to be patient.
• Jean, High Wycombe
  Just before losing my sight to AMD I took a degree in history and the history of art with the Open University. The most recent books on these subjects are not available to me now.
• Samantha, Liverpool
  I was absolutely staggered to read this statistic in an article in the Liverpool Echo! As an avid reader I wholeheartedly support this campaign
• uzma, london
  it's not fair that i can't get easy access to text books whilst studying for a degree. i don't need the stress
• Sarah, London
  Reading has always been and will always be a great passion of mine - I cannot imagine a world without books and find it shocking how few books are published in accessible formats for people with sight problems.
• Margaret, Peacehaven
  It doesn't matter whether you are blind or not, everyone no-matter how old or young has the right to read a book, they can open doors to the world even if you are unable to go yourself and also my mother says you are never alone with a good book......
• Penny, York
  As a school librarian, I fully agree with the comments made by 8-year old Lucy. In our library we have a small selection of extra large print books, bought by a student with severe visual impairment and donated to the library as she finished with them. These were produced by Custom Eyes Books, who produce an excellent catalogue and are extremely helpful.
• Lisa, Hook
  My eight year old daughter is dyslexic, audio books are an essential part of her development.
• Jane, Wellingborough
  I co-run a reading group for people with visual impairments and understand how important audio books are to people with visual impairments.
• Rachael, Leicester
  Having been involved with a 'right to read' program in a local Leicestershire primary school I have seen firsthand how just one hour a week listening to a child read can improve their literacy skills, confidence and social skills, it is shocking that people with sight problems don't have access to 96% books!
• Andrea, Shotts
  inaccessible books make my studies a nightmare
• Rosie, Wisbech
  I made a comment months ago, but have something to add. The government want inclusive education for people with all disabilities, well this includes people with visual impairments, does it not? Well, why are they then perfectly happy to go against what they say in the disability discrimination act, and be perfectly happy with the fact that this unacceptable number of people mentioned in the information about the campain are unable to read which puts them at a significant disadvantage in vi, and even dislexic peoples education. its a joke, it really is. I think its about time the government pull there fingers out and start to realise the disgusting, unnecessary discrimination that people who have difficulty reading are facing. I am blind myself, so cannot read print at any size at all. I have to have things put into braille, so therefore do not get things at the same time as everyone else, in audio format as well. Its not our fault that we're blind, we cant help the way we were born, can we? so we should at least get the help we are told we are entitled to. I think its also important to note that as far as i am concerned, the right to read shouldnt just involve books, it should include everything else that is only in small print, for example, labels on food packaging. if we don't have the labels, which by law are meant to display best before dates, cooking times etc, what are people who cant read print supposed to do? we shouldnt have to rely on someone else all the time, and there might not be anyone else to read it to us, so what do we do? do we eat gone off food thats been left too long, or not cook it for as long as we should, or do something else that might put our health at risk? if so, it defeats the whole object of the label being there doesnt it? maybe the rnib should add this to the campain as well. i hope this campaign proves a success, and our rights are considered in the future.
• Sue, Leicester
  Everybody has a right to read.
• KAREN , LIVERPOOL
  I AM FAIRLY NEW TO HAVING SIGHT LOSS AND I LOVE READING. I WOULD HATE TO BE UNABLE TO READ THE LATEST BESTSELLERS SO AM BACKING THIS CAMPAIGN.
• Emily , Rockledge
  Everyone should be able to experience the joy of picking up a book and being wrapped up in a whole new world.
• aisling, nottingham
  i would love more books in large print at the moment i struggle at school as i am home schooled at the moment so book are important but we can only find a couple of books i need in large print my mum has to scan in every book ect i need and the make it bigger and then print it out again wich costs us
• Chris, Smethwick
  I support the Right to Read campaign and stress that it is critical that texts be available in a range of accessible formats at the same time and at no extra expense.
• NAN, HALIFAX
  As a teacher of the visually impaired it is regrettable that we can't even get curriculum materials in different formats for students from publishers!!!
• Dave, Melton Mowbray
  Here at Bierley, we are dedicated to bringing social inclusion and independence to people with visual impairment. With our handheld electronic magnifier, the MonoMouse, we plan to do as much as we can to help, especially in this, the "National Year of Reading".
• Ann, Burntwood
  Books are one of life's greatest pleasures, in the 21st century no one should be excluded from enjoying them.
• Kim, Dundee
  I have two children with dyslexia and love to read to them. They are fortunate that they can also read but I think it is terrible that people with sight problems are denied the right to have access to 96% of books published in the uk. Can there be a possible explanation for this? I can't think of one reason.
• lesley, fraserburgh
  my son is dyslexic and it is a disgrace he cannot get to \"read\" any book he wants to. dyslexic children are often put off reading by the time teachers and parents know what the problem is and restricting the choice of books they can listen to is penalising them again for something that is not their fault
• Jodie , Worcester
  I think it's disgusting that 96% of books are not available in accessible formats for blind/partially sighted and Dyslexic people. How dare they deny so many people the pleasure of reading? I am partially sighted but am thankfully able to use magnification aids in order to access 'ordinary print' books. Surely by not making their works accessible Publishers are in contravention of the Disability Discrimination Act? If the DDA does not already apply to private Companies then it certainly should.
• Katie Louise, Huddersfield
  every individual should have access to reading materials in an accessable format
• Sarah, Northwich
  I have seen my mum's frustration at having to wait for books to appear in audio format, and of course many don't. She's fortunate to have my dad who reads many books to her which would otherwise be inaccessible to her. I strongly believe that everyone should have the right to read what they choose when they choose. That is why I am adding my name to the Right to Read Decleration.
• julia, dundee
  my son is dyslexic and has struggled for the past few years trying to read. we now use audio books and his love of books is returning.
• Gill, Hitchin
  My Father is now blind and has made the change to reading audio books. He cannot always get, in audio form, books that he read and loved in the printed version. So many of his hobbies needed clear sight and have been abandoned, that his reading is now doubly valuable to him.
• Ann, Sale
  It's disappointing how long it can take before a popular book makes it to audio, if it ever does.
• John, Sale
  When a sighted person can buy a paperback for as little as £5 why should I have to pay maybe 10 times as much for an audio version of the same book?
• Anna, Cambridge
  Accessibility is - rightly! - an issue which is addressed in every walk of life: it seems therefore odd that books are a forgotten realm, with 96% of books published in the UK inaccessible to people with sight problems.
• Lori, dundee
  I am an avid reader of audio books from the BBC especially Fantasy audio. Recently I was introduced to a series in 2005 which I really enjoyed. I read the first book on audio in 2005 and since then another two in the series have been released both in paper and hardback, but not on audio! As far as I am concerned there is simply no excuse for such a long wait to publish them on audio. Now i am left frustrated because unlike the majority of sighted people in the world I can't just walk into a shop pick up a book and read it, I have to be left, not even certain if the books I want to read so much will ever come on audio at all. I will do anything to support this campaign! From Lori
• Michelle, Hucknall
  I think that it is absolutely disgusting that people who have disabilities are obliged to pay more for the same book that other people with no disabilities at all are reading, and that they (disabled people) are obliged to wait perhaps a long time before they can read the same book. I also abhor the fact that non-disabled people are able to read so many interesting items and do so many interesting things whilst the disabled factor are limited as to what it can read and do. I am also disgusted that non-disabled people are able to get material (mostly in small print) such as guide books on holiday and therefore be able to read about the places they visit in those books, whilst the disabled factor are not able to obtain this information for themselves, necessitating that a sighted person read to those who are disabled information from the books instead of disabled people being able to read it for themselves:. I am also very disgusted that restaurants, pubs and cafes only have small print menus, and therefore none in an accessible format for a disabled person to read. I hate the fact that, if a disabled person wishes to find out what is on a menu or in a guide book, he or she must ask a non-disabled person to read it to him/her. It so annoys me that disabled people do not have the same access to informmation and amenities as non-disabled people!
• Lynn, Isleworth
  Sight disability is a very hard cross to bear. Access to knowledge for pleasure or education should not be denied to anyone, disabled or not, who wants it.
• Linsey, Longforgan
  My son is severely dyslexic but still enjoys books, by his family reading them to him. However, that is not always possible and limits his own independence. Why can't auditory books be available to dyslexic children? It is discrimination to all people unable to independently read under the disability discrimination act 2004.
• Roger, Stoke-sub-Hamdon
  At sixty six years old, it is unsurprising that my eyesight is failing but, an inveterate reader, although my county library service has some books in large print (which I still need spectacles to read), the service is somewhat limited, particularly with regard to new books. In fairness, my library service does not charge a reservation fee for large print books but, never-the- less, the selection is small. People with sight related problems must have access to as many books, on varied subjects, as possible. We are people too!
• Jenny, Leigh-on-sea
  Please, please wake up and smell what's cooking. Blind and partially sighted people are 'normal' people with 'normal' interests. Why are you discriminating against them because of your ignorance? If you can waste so much of tax payers' money on failed projects you can spare a lot less for a lot more. How much longer will this unjust treatment continue?! Why isn't there a blind/VI, deaf, wheelchair user etc. representative in each department of the government who can argue subjectively for impaired peoples' rights? Makes sense? Oh yes. It's Britain so that won't happen. Aargh!
• Adam, Cockfosters
  Reading is at the forefront of education. By having a limited amount of books for a large section of children and adults, we are denying them the right to develop their minds and learning skills. Having access to literature is not just a right for the able bodied masses, it is a right for all of mankind.
• Graham, Nottingham
  Reading is the gateway to the world of culture, knowledge,science etc and this should be available to all as a universal entitlement. This gateway must be kept open!
• Suzanne, shotton
  As a registered blind dude. I am unable to enjoy books that i have recently bought as presents for sighted members of my family. They are books that i crave to listen to but, as yet, been unable to do so because they are not currently available as audio books
• Maggie, London
  It was a love of stories that got me into reading. It was a love of reading that helped me (without realising it) to love language, and to learn to spell and form sentences correctly. This in turn helped the whole of my education, as well as my general ability to communicate, and I now work with words for a living (as a sub-editor). Reading is both a pleasure and an essential tool. Why should anyone be denied this? It appalls me to think that in a (theoretically) advanced society, three million people who are already disadvantaged should be further excluded by lack of access to books of many different kinds, and I urge the Government to rectify this situation.
• Marjorie, London
  As a Librarian and the "lead" on Lifelong Learning for 8 libraries in the borough that I work for I feel that it is imperative that everyone should have the opportunity to access literature in whatever format they need/ want simultaneously and at an equal price whatever the format.
• Eric, Crowthorne
  The problem people have reading is not appreciated by most of those who are sighted and the situation is getting worse with the increase in mobile telephones and text as a means of communicating. Even when material is available in audio or large print formats the time taken to read and absorb even a short passage is increased considerably and can be very tiring indeed. This campaign is important because there is insuffucuent publication of books in an accessible form which further restricts the options available to blind and partially sighted people. For example I am very interested in sport and in particular Rugby Union football, however to date I have only been able to find a handful of books which are recorded so that I can "read" them. The national newspapers are delivering dvd's and cd's free of charge almost daily with their papers but these rarely include books, although I have seen some children's books from time to time. Could you campaign to engage newspape publishers to either produce their papers in these formats or from time to time include a book which could be read by blind people? This would provide a much needed public service and could increase their circulation figures.
• richard william, Shrewsbury
  History of Mathematics difficult to find but RNIB have been of great help in the past.
• Sandra, MORPETH
  All my family enjoy reading. The joy of reading to my grand-daughter is not to be missed. Now at 9 years of age she enjoys reading to me and anyone who will listen. It is a great way to learn, it provides an escape hatch from everyday humdrum. You need to be able to read to follow instructions, knit, do crosswords, live independently without always relying on other people
• Sheila, Pershore
  I fully support this campaign. I am dependent on the talking book service provided by RNIB.
• Hannah, Watchet
  My younger sister is registered blind. She has Cone Dystprohy and has greatly benefitted from having large print books. She attended a mainstream school until she was 12 and they did not give her the large print text that she needed. Large print books are extremely useful for people with limited vision and my sister's reading ability has increased enormously since starting to read them.
• Robert, Richmond
  It is very important for everyone to be able to read in order to be able to stimulate their minds with imagination, knowledge, wisdom and understanding of our world. Keep up your great efforts!
• Anne, Derby
  As a libray assistant I am often asked to provide new books in large print or audio formats and usually have to warn the reader that he/she may have to wait some months for publication.
• Jessica, York
  My twin 10-year-old brothers have nystagmus (an eye condition which makes it hard for them to focus on objects) and it doesn't affect them much at the minute because most books aimed at their age group have quite large print anyway. But in the future I hope they will be able to go on to college and maybe university without being held back by not being able to read the small-print text books. They're very smart so their condition shouldn't stop them from achieving what they want!
• peter, birmingham
  i have been blind for 14 years and rely on talking books for most of my entertainmement. the list of books available is very short. why can't i have access to more books of my choice made available? when it comes to the printed word, the blind are treated as second class. I hope that this campaign will result in more books being made available to all of us visually impaired people.
• Glenise, Leicester
  Takes too long for permission to adapt some new novels in large print or talking books format
• Roger, Halesowen
  I have loved reading all my life and now I am using Talking Books to continue. I feel that a much higher percentage of books must be made accessible to print-disabled people.
• Geoff, Epsom
  I find it more and more difficult to read large print and now resort mostly to audio books. I have been shocked how few audio resources there are, especially even catalogues in public libraries. I can see with great difficulty what's on the shelves so audio or very large print catalogues would be very useful.
• Fay, Sandiacre
  I wear glasses, that is all, so do not have the same issues as others but my son now 23 had dyspraxia which effected his ability to read and spell. All the books he may have read ie Football book etc were and still are in small print many in the images of cartoons which makes things even worse. Everyone should be able to read I spend much of my free time reading as I have a mobility disability I would hate to lose my right to read so feel that no one should lose this right. All libraries should stock large print for all ages not just the very young and older people.
• Judith Howard, Camborne
  I find that since having problems with my sight that I am having to 'dumb-down' in my choice of reading material. Books available in large print, at my local library, fall mostly into the romance/crime/western catagories.
• Jill, Nr. Longfield
  My 9yr old grandson has severely impaired vision, is in main stream school and bright! His reading material has to be brailled mainly by his 1-1. Other reading material is very limited. He devours audio books and loves being read to. He should have more choice. His peers have!
• Johann, Wandsworth
  I believe that the reasons I have difficulty with spelling and vocabulary are because of the lack of large print books available to me during my schooling years. Reading was almost always a struggle for me, usually resulting in blurred vision within 15 minutes, followed by strong headaches - and that is with the use of glasses, a magnifying lens, and good lighting - I know I would have been far more comfortable with large print text. I have a lack of interest in reading now in my adult life, but am grateful to the vast amount of information available over the internet that I can read using speech synthesis and font magnification - only if websites were more accessible in general, and if publishes stopped depending on PDF as the only means of providing information. I recommend also that this petition be put up on Facebook, that way it will get spread through word of mouth resulting in a very rapid number of new signatories.
• IAN, Gillingham
  If you are disabled in any way, reading can be your lifeline. This privilege should be for all.
• Beverley, Denton
  This is on behalf of my daughter. She is five years old and partially sighted. She has the right to read anything she chooses to. Please apply the same for curriculum books in schools also.
• Lynn, Cheadle
  I believe that everyone should be able to access books in the format they require. My life would be so much poorer without books.
• Ann, BEDFORD
  As a librarian I feel that everyone has this right and we in libraries must support and promote this campaign.
• Raida, London
  i am shocked to hear this.
• Richard , Rowledge
  I have a dyslexic son who without audio books would not have been able to reach anything like his full potential. I am fortunate that he can reveice some materials from Calibre but he should be able to receive more and the current legislation disciminates against him in this respect. I am also fortunate that I can afford to purchase many titles as well but other are not so fortunate and they deserve the same opportuniy to be able to access more audio materials. I also have a father of 79 years who is significantly visually impared due to AMD and now has his reading restricted only to what is available as audio. This is true for a great number of people and they equally deserve to be able to enjoy their later years through having audio books and other literature available to them in an age where so much so much is communicated through such media as the internet that without this they are effectively excluded from many aspects of modern life.
• Verity, Sevenoaks
  I suffered from pretty servere dyslexia as a child. I didn't read fluently until I was half way through secondary school. I have always been a very determined person and I was fortunate enough to have a very supportive school and family. I accesed books through the library for the blind, Calibre, who supply free audio recordings of stories for children and adults, fiction and non fiction. Now I learn their service is being compromised for their dyslexic uses by the current copyright laws. I am really disappointed to learn this because I really do owe a lot to their service. Without them I would never have had the incentive to make myself try to read to access a wider range of books and I would never have been able to access my core texts for GCSE.
• Julia, Billericay
  I have a 9 year old daughter with hypermetropia. Whilst many people realise the drawbacks of myopia very few (including teachers) understand the affect being longsighted has on a child's reading development and consequently their entire educational progress. It has become increasingly difficult to find age-appropriate books in large print for her to read for herself; not just to listen to on CD, but to actually see the written word on the page. The books that are available from the library tend to be out-dated (i.e. books I read as a child and I'm 49). Because of the lack of understanding and availablity of appropriate materials, her school work (spelling, comprehension, grammar etc.) has suffered. Her knowledge of old and new literature classics has been severely limited. Not to mention the blow to her confidence and the frustraton caused by having teachers who don't understand the problem and who have no practical advice to offer the child or the parent. Given the number of under 16 year olds with sight problems isn't it time the publishing companies were cajoaled (kicked up the backside) into publishing large print versions of some of the more modern classics; If only to offer to the various county library services throughout the country. I believe there is also a government incentive (access)regarding a child's right to the best possible education for their needs i.e. a level playing field.
• Michelle, BISHOPS STORTFORD
  I love reading and can't imagine life without books. I have very poor eyesight due to having the lens in my left eye removed when I was a baby due to a cataract and having a disolocated right lens. I am now only able to read with the help of contact lenses or very thick glasses and I am very conscious of that fact.
• Carol, Leamington Spa
  My son is partially sighted and I agree wholly with your conclusions that the lack of books - especially text books in schools - for children who need larger print is dreadful. My son has to have sheets enlarged to A3 - what a faff for all concerned. Keep up the good work!
• emily, Blackburn
  my grandma is blind and she reads braille books, but they are mainly novels, there is not a variety of different genres for her to read which would be better.
• June, Stevenston
  I currently support a student studying for an HND at college who requires course materials in braille. I undertook the training on my own time and supply this facility without the job being recognised in any way by my employer. Sadly, this facility will not be offered to future blind students who apply for courses at this college.
• Bob, Ayr
  I am an avid reader. However, I find I really struggle to get books as I am blind and my perferred reading method is braille. I am also at college and currently manage to get written course material through a support system I have established which is not readily available through the college. I start university later this year and worry about how I will access the books I require for my course.
• Li Kim, Kuching, Sarawak
  I love reading and I have no sight problem. I feel terribly sorry that people with sight problems can't read most of the books as I could imagine how bad/sad/boring it is to not able to read their favourite books.
• Anne, Nottingham
  I think it is appalling that simply because my sight is fading I am excluded from so much literature; either because it is inaccessible due to small print or due to cost. I have yet to understand why I am penalised as a result of something that is not my fault!
• Anne, Hay on Wye
  Every book provides a new world for the reader to enter. How can so many children and adults be barred from entering these worlds?
• Jenny, Quistinic
  I'm an avid reader, but also a writer, mainly for children. My books are very occasionally translated into braille. I wish that more of them could be used or put on tape. Only one of my books is available in audio form, but I would be more than happy to allow access to all of them for this purpose. My website is www.robsullivan.clara.net I heard about the campaign from another writer whose child is visually impaired.
• Riccardo, Rome
  I'm not a UK citizen but I am supporting your campaign because I believe that, especially on the occasion of the upcoming Braille Bicentennial in 2009, the Right to Read Campaign should become a major international issue.
• maureen, exeter
  I listened to the word on BBC world service the other evening, and the presenter was explaining how actors read the books and use different 'voices'; I am fortunate enough to be sighted, but I do not give the characters different accents when I am reading, I just read in my head with my own accent. So maybe you don't need to pay actors, you could just use ordinary people who like reading, in fact I have often thought when I'm reading a book that if I were to read it out loud with a tape recorder on it would then be available to someone who couldn't read.
• adrian, deal
  it is our duty to ensure all people have the oppotunity to read no matter what their afflictions are
• Kimberley, Folkestone
  My ten year old daughter has a visual impairement of 6/21 with congenital cataracts and is severely astigmastised yet because she is an able reader has to suffer small print and either has to struggle or use a magnifying ruler. I'm sure a lot more children would do much better in literature if their reading material wasn't so small.
• Lisa, Fordingbridge
  what a good website to find, with the difficulties a partially sighted child encounters, reading is a good way to help unwind
• Carrah, Canterbury
  The right to read is something most of us take completely for granted. Most of us, however, know someone whose reading ability is impaired by disability. My younger son is dyslexic, whilst my father suffers from Macular Degeneration. As a school library assistant, I believe everyone is entitled to pursue their curiosity through the world of the imagination and the intellect expressed in the written word. Any campaign which tries to make this possible for others should be supported.
• Erin, Bolton
  As a sighted person who reads avidly, I cannot imagine not being able to do so - it should be recognised as a human rights issue - blind and partially sighted people are being put at a disadvantage personally, socially and possibly intellectually because of this injustice!
• Brian , Chester
  I think the right to read campaign is an extremely brilliant thing, I can truly belive that 96 percent of books are practicaly impossible for partially sighted / blind people to read as myself and my partner are severely partially sighted.
• Laura , Chester
  I think the right to read campaign is an extremely brilliant thing, I can truly belive that 96 percent of books are practicaly impossible for partially sighted / blind people to read as myself and my partner are severely partially sighted.
• rosie, Wisbech
  I fully agree with this statement and am pleased that this campaign is being made. I am blind myself and feel that the fact that we have to pay a lot more for books on audio and that they don't come out at the same time as the print is terrible discrimination for us. Why should we have to wait to get the same enjoyment from books that sighted people get?
• amanda, leicester
  i am partially sighted but love reading so fully support this campaign and will be passing details to all my contacts. thankyou for highlighting this issue
• phyllis, Hereford
  It's a disgrace that people have to fight for such a basic right in 2007. Everyone should have right to access books for leisure and information etc as and when they choose. What about community consultation documents etc when does someone who is visually impaired get the opportunity to be fully involved in planning developments for their locality etc. Everyone should be able to freely partake. Our society should be inclusive and move forward.
• VICTOR, craven arms
  HAVE JUST RECEIVED BT PHONE BOOK 30/12/2007 OPENED IT NOW NEED TO BUY A NEW STRONGER PAIR OF GLASSES
• Elaine, Leicester
  Everyone should have the right to engage in the world of the written word. Imagining in their own individual way the life of a story or to learn something new when and where they wish to.
• Ruth, Shrewsbury
  I am 53 and a primary teacher. I am just losing my second eye from wet AMD. I love reading, I am a musician and I need to read for my job, I feel cut off because I can't read labels and packets scan information.Talking books are good and beautifully read but twice the price of a real book with a limited choice.
• Sally Jane, Luton
  I come from a family of voracious readers. My father, who is blind from glaucoma, now relies on Talking Books and newspapers, or on my mother to read to him. His sister, my aunt, has age related macular degeneration and is now finding it more difficult to find large-print titles which is frustrating. I cannot imagine a life without access to the books I choose to read, and believe everyone should be able to read what they want, not just select whatever they can tolerate from the measly 4 per cent that do get into large print! Also, most popular magazines are not available on tape, which denies people another form of entertainment so many of us take for granted. I thank God for the gift of sight today.
• Sally, Brough
  Everyone deserves the same rights! xx
• Eleanor, Cradley Heath
  My grandmother suffered with glaucoma in her later years of life and she had always loved to read books, newspapers, leaflets etc. I found it upsetting to think that she would not be able to read the books that she loved so much. My grandmother was a very intelligent woman, and even though her eyes were failing her, she should never have been let down by being forgotten as a book lover. I too love to read, and I would hate to think that if my eyes started to deteriorate that I would be forgotten about. Poor eyesight should be an easy issue to tackle in this day and age and requires the simplest of considerations from the people who publish books.
• Andrew, Teignmouth
  The right to read is a fundamental human right and pleasure, and unless there is a good reason why not, I believe EVERY book should be available in formats for visually impaired readers. It's loyalty from the author and publisher, and since many publications are available in many 'minority' formats, what's wrong with the publishing world recognising the buying power of the VI minority too? Equal rights, because we're all equal.
• Alex, Liverpool
  I am studying Disability Studies at Degree Level at Liverpool Hope University and I frankly find this information appalling. Something needs to be done about it.
• Alison, Haddington
  I teach a severely dyslexic pupil who is very bright and loves literature, but cannot enjoy the same books as her friends. With audio books available free of charge to dyslexic children and adults, a love of words can be open to all.
• Pauline, Craven Arms
  I believe that equality means all printed information including books should be available on the same date in all accessible formats.
• Will, Liverpool
  In this age of computer technology it should be no problem to print off copies of books in large print at a reasonable price. Book retailers should be encouraged to ask for copies in this format.
• Louise, Birstall
  I have a friend who is dyslexic and over the years I have helped him to learn to read quite well.
• Annemarie, Huntingdon
  Good luck with the campaign. Yes, everyone should have the right to read a book at the same price as non-disabled readers.
• Gail Anne, Glasgow
  I hate having to pay the extra on larger print book and audio CD, just so I can keep up with my friends. So I get to the end before they tell me what happened in the final chapter before I read it. I hope to get there first before they spoil it all for me. I still don't think visually impaired get a fair deal when it comes to shops,cinemas and restraunts other things like that. I am dyslexic and visually impaired and my work place dosn't help me at all, I left unable to read certain important stuff. I'm gifted and because my work don't provide a service for the dyslexic or visually impaired. I feel we are left behind when we have so much to give. I would love to say more but I think I've said enough for just now.
• Leila, Stalybridge
  I have dylexia and i think anything that makes my life easier is better than nothing at all!
• Lizzi, Dukinfield
  I think it is terrible that so few books are printed for people with sight and reading problems in the UK - something must be done!!! Books are the key to our educational growth and learning, as well as a joyful pastime!!
• Kirstie, Marlborough
  We need to stop being a disabling society and protect everyone's basic rights to information, education and a good read!
• linda, peterlee
  my son is 8 yrs old and partially sighted. he is really struggling to find books at the correct level. Our local library have no books for his age so we rely on the sensory department to supply the school but the books are photocopied and in black and white
• Hazel, Aith
  My mother, now aged 90, has loved to read books all her life. Now she is unable to read even large print books.
• Jennifer, Gillingham
  My mother has age-related macular degeneration. It was she who gave me my love of books and reading and she finds it so frustrating that there is such a limited number of publications available to her.
• David, Derby
  MY MOTHER WAS AN AVID READER UNTIL CONTRACTING MACULAR DISEASE. SHE LONGS TO HAVE ACCESS TO SUITABLE MATERIAL
• Eileen, Goole
  Accessing books and other printed items like newspapers and journals is my strongest link to the sighted and informed world. That I can only access a beggarly 4% is demeaning so I am supporting the Right to Read Campaign to help address this imbalance and make people with sight problems included rather than excluded.
• Jessica , Leeds
  I believe that people with sight problems should be able to have access to the same reading material as those with "normal" sight.
• sheila, croydon
  I work as a teacher in a special school where many of the pupils have difficulty reading standard print, because of the size of print or the spacing used. We have bought and enjoyed the Barrington Stoke range of books for older readers, the content is age appropriate and the print is double spaced on cream paper.
• Teresa, Wirral
  Yes I agree with this as a past university student I found it frustrating that I could not acess many books as they were not available in large print
• Clive, Hythe
  These are shocking statistics! I much prefer reading books myself and as a braille reader I am disappointed with the dearth of reading material available compared with print books. what better way to learn how to spell words than to read them!
• Timothy, Oxted
  Hello, I am both suffering this injustice, from a leisure stance, as well as, from an academic point of view too. I am therefore, struggling in my first year at university. I am in my first year, of an under graduate degree in Theology. I am also involved with RNIB quite extensively at the moment (as University permits me, since September 2007 that is), as I am on the UK Assembly body, that advices the RNIB board, advices them on the decisions they then afterwards take, and ask a number of questions to the Assembly plus I serve on the editorial board of the RNIB membership magazine VISION too, and to sum up, since 2003, I have a reasonable amount of committee experience and quasi-committee experience. So, it is time the government and key players, such as the publishers, etc, do just one thing, and to commence right away and engage immediately by "Listening" to the needs of blind and Partially sighted people, just like any other sector of our population, as, the current situation is wholly unacceptable, and must "stop" right away - no excuses permissible, this is late 2007 going on 2008, not 1507 going on 1508!
• pauline, girvan
  my son who is dyslexic finds it difficult to read. I try to encourage audio books but they are so expensive to buy. You can buy a book for approx £5 but to buy the same title in audio book form would cost you approx £20. This alone is a disgrace. Not even being able to buy a book at all in audio book form is unacceptable in this day of age.
• Nasreen , Derbyshire
  I have worked for many years and communicate to engage with many people from varying diverse communities locally including voluntary and charity groups. I believe and understand their many issues and difficulties they encounter. Vision is a serious problem by people young or old especially if it worsens. Any kind of reading literature, letters, magazines or books may become or seem more difficult. In everyday life for people with vision problems the Right to Reading is a resource helping people receive the knowledge and information in their personal social or working everyday life situations. I fully support the campaign to Right to Read Campaign. Nasreen Iqbal - Derby
• sharon, Ware
  As an avid reader I wish to add my support to your campaign, reading should be made accessible to everyone to enjoy, educate and entertain. We must providing reading materials in accessible formats in the same way we provide other means to enable people to access a higher quality of life.
• william, newcastle under lyme
  i love reading ,no one should be denied such a gift
• Zainami, Glasgow
  With all that the government harps on about British equality and democracy, it's a bloody disgrace that a significant portion of it's inhabitants are not able (due to lack of resources and cost issues) to read their rights. They should get this sorted.
• Michael, LLandudno
  When i visited the library,like everyone else, i loved to read certain types of book.This all changed, when I started with a macular hole,because of high blood pressure. Now my world is Blurred and Twisted,also like looking through a lace curtain. Also gone is the chance of reading the books i like,BECAUSE they are not in large print,or you cannot obtain the book you want on cassette,or disc. Please dont leave us in the dark,help us to enjoy the thing that is taken for Granted,(reading) We need more help so we can start to live again. Thank you if you have taken time to read this,it took me twice as long to type it on the computer, Thanks again, Mike Mckenna North Wales
• Adele, Darlington
  i am a young visually impaired female and havve been since birth, whilst my brother and sister and other young family members have always been able to pick up any book at any time and read it at leisure i was not able to and this left me very frustrated and angry, i feel because of this my range of vocabulary is limited and i believe reading creates imagination and awareness and i believe i have missed out on this as well. i do feel left out from my fully sighted peers and friends, i don't see why visually impaired people cannot have the same vast priviliges as fully sighted people, i think not making a wide variety of books avalible in different formats is a form of discrimination..
• Nicola, Beckenham
  I love books, something my parents encouraged from a young age. I am horrified to learn that only 4% are produced in formats suitable for the blind or visually impaired. That is shocking... and should be corrected - there is an amazing world out there and everyone should be able to share it!
• Helen, Brighton
  Everyone has the right to read what they would like, not just what is on offer now. When unable to get out, books are often "best friends".
• Julia, Milton Keynes
  I think everyone should have access to reading materials in a suitable format for them! More large print books and more audio CDs should be more widely available
• Toni, Blackpool
  I read with a times three magnifier, how much better it would be if books came in 16 - 18 Point I love books but reading this way tends to give you a headache so don't read as much as I used to or would like to before my sight got worse.
• Peggy, Zomergem (Belgium)
  I teach English in a Belgian school for adults who are blind or visually disabled. It's always hard to find material for them which is acurate and up to date. Therefore I copy the articles of recent magazines and books myself and print them in braille or in a larger size. But I think not many people know this, so I want to wish you the best with your campaign and hope it will make a change in the future.
• Christine , Rochester
  As a teacher of pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities, I find it unacceptable that the big media giants and publishing companies are allowed to discriminate against this group young people. When the government is pushing hard for equal access to the curriculum and information, toghether with inclusion, I find it incredible that publishers are still able to exclude or deny access to the textbooks and reading books that pupils without a learning disability can enjoy. All schools and public bodies now have a duty to provide all the written information it produces in alternative formats so that pupils, parents and staff with a disability have equal access in all aspects of school life (See 'Doing the Duty' which came into force on 4th Dec.2006). Surely, under the terms of DDA (1995) and Doing the Duty, the practice of publishing in written format should not only apply to public bodies, but to private organisations too. How can teachers 'do the duty' when the materials necessary for ensuring inclusion and equality are not available. I fully support the Right to Read Campaign and hope, through this, change will happen and that no child will ever have to experience the exclusion so many are experiencing today.
• Chris, Peterborough
  I have Ushers Syndrome which means I am deaf with a degenerative eye condition also. Fortunately I am still able to read most standard print books with the aid of magnification. But, I live in fear that my opportunities to read should diminish with the possible deterioration in my sight. Reading makes one\'s world so wide and every effort must be made to ensure ALL have the opportunity enjoy such a past time should they want to.
• Jane, Croxley Green
  I think it is utterly appaling that so many people don't have access to books due to sight problems. I adore reading and cannot imagine a world without books - they are one of the most enriching parts of my life.
• Kirsty, Armadale
  I'm shocked at this statistic. How can young people with sight problems feel they have an equal opportunity to access further education and training?
• Amanda, Witham
  My daughter is 14 and although her reading age is low she would also like to read books of interest. She finds it hard to progress with her reading as there are so few books out there. Even her special school does not provide her with large print books.
• Laura, Duluth
  I am an author. It's unfair to us that so many people simply cannot find our work in an accessible form. I hope you succeed.
• Winifred, Burton upon Trent
  I am a large-print reader, and frequently have to order books at my local library, or even resort to struggling with a smaller print size. To date I have not found any classics or autobiographies on the shelves. The choice is too limited.
• Roberta, London
  Sight loss is not a barrier to reading - the lack of accessible books are. Everybody has the right to read, so lets make it happen!
• sian,
  I enjoy audio books and, years ago, I was able to access them free from my local library. As i am dyslexic and have a mild learning disability now, I have decided to access the audio books again from my library, only to find that I and my friends who can't read no longer qualify and we have to pay 60p for our books. My fiancée is registered partially sighted, which means he can get audio books free. It annoys me that if you cant read, are dyslexic and u used to qualify, you now don't. I guess I'm lucky, I have my fiancée who can get audio books for me on his card, as he is my main carer. But its unfair on my friends, as they get charged for the audio books. I know its not the same but they can't see what the words say in a normal book, so look at the pictures (we visit the library weekly with our day centre). Something needs to be done to make audio versions of book available to all on the same day as the printed version.
• Anja , Zichem
  I accompany blind and partially sighted pupils, mostly in secondary education. It's always a hassle to find the books that are read and discussed in class (in Dutch, English, French and German). Often, our staff have to scan the books into the computer and read them out to pupils which, as you can imagine, is a very time consuming job - time that would be better spent assisting pupils and teaching staff directly.
• Shams, Stirling
  The business case: publishers profits would soar if they provide accessible formats when they release a new book or publication.
• Joanna, Northwich
  Lack of availability of books amounts to huge discrimination against visually impaired and dyslexic people, but audio format benefits all (except the deaf). Listen in the car, walking the dog, on public transport, if it can be done with music why not words?
• Laura, Rayleigh
  I work with deafblind people and the choice of books on Daisy or general audio book format is very limited. For people who are unable to access the wider community independently, books of all genre are an important tool for information and relaxation. I feel very strongly about making ALL books available in ALL accessible formats - it should be part of the Disability Discrimination Act ruling!
• Michael, Holtspur
  I am glad to see that someone is trying to address this problem. So many are missing out on so much. Surely it can't be hard to solve it!
• melvyn, rushden
  Our council has closed its sound reads service and stopped its support for RNIB subscription for new applicants, which is a step back instead of going forward.
• Gladys, Ashford
  I would find life very empty without Talking Books. Good Luck. Regards and Best wishes.
• Carey, Hitchin
  Its not just books that I struggle to read - what about the small print on everyday packaging? (including ingredients and cooking instructions, medicines and "small print".) I'm lucky, I have someone I can ask - not everybody does.
• Victoria , Huddersfield
  My Grandfather loved to read but he was registered partially sighted. His eyesight degenerated and finally he could not read at all. We found the cost of GOOD audio books prohibitive and my Grandfather missed out on a lot of excellent literature during the latter stage of his life.
• Angela, Walsall
  I work in a library but hadn't realised that such a small percentage of audio books are available. We have a relative who went suddenly blind at the age of 82, and we know how much he appreciates being able to listen to anything from newspapers to books. I fully support this campaign.
• Stuart, London
  My 14 year old daughter is visually impaired and cannot read books unless they are large print, but these are expensive and difficult to find. I hope this campaign is a success.
• Gillian, London
  This is a fantastic campaign! I do not know how I would cope even now without the ability to read. I find great solace and entertainment from reading and, even though I struggle to find the time as I have two small children, I savour every moment I get.
• Ioannou, Rochford
  My daughter has missed so many hours of reading enjoyment as she is dyslexic, and the selection of audio books is limited and unfordable.
• Helen, Rotherham
  I cannot believe that, in this age of technology, most books are only available in 'normal' size print!!! EVERY book should be available in large print, braille or on an audio CD. Reading helps you to escape the pressures of everyday life for a while, it helps you to relax and unwind.
• Louise, Rochford
  I support the Right to Read campaign because my sister suffers from dyslexia. I and my family have been discussing the points made by this campaign for some time and I am pleased that these are being addressed. My sister enjoys audio books, and apart from there being very few good modern fiction books available, the price can make them inaccessible. Libraries aren't a support, as the waiting lists are so long and priorities are not given to those with disabilities. We are a family of book lovers and it is difficult when there is only one of us that hasn't read the current book being passed around. I really hope this campaign is successful in starting to make some changes to the accessibility of books for all.
• Kerry, NW England
  My husband is registered blind and, when I met him at the age of 35, the only book he'd ever read by himself was James and the Giant Peach! He'd been reading some classic novels at Worcester College for the Blind as a teenager but had never read / listened to any novels since. I've loved books all my life and studied English at Cambridge. I was acutely aware of how many vast worlds of experience he'd effectively been denied through not having access to books. My husband is a very intelligent and successful man. In general, he's very optimistic but sometimes I get the sense that he struggles with the odd thought or emotion or experience, believing that he's the only person who's ever thought or felt a certain way. As a reader, I know that I'm not alone. I've met so many characters in novels and living people in autobiographies which have helped me to identify and cope with life experiences. I feel that in this respect, his life is empty. We're trying to redress this by always having a novel on the go which we do enjoy reading together. We'd also buy talking books, if the prices weren't so astronomical. I wholeheartedly support this incentive for everyone to have a right to read.
• Iris, Nottingham
  With me its only incipient old age starting to show but books should be available to all. I assume books on computers will get over the print size in the future - pick your own. I much prefer a paper copy though.
• marnie, Edinburgh
  My mother is almost 80 and reading is what she does most but owing to developing glaucoma she struggles to read small print. I am shocked at the low percentage of books available to her in large print. In all this new "PC" world we live in, are the partially blind not considered disable?
• Paresh, Cupar
  I produce accessible formats for print-disabled clients for University of St Andrews and proud to add my name to the Right To Read Campaign.
• Ruth, Cheltenham
  As a fully sighted person who loves to read I take it for granted that I can always read what I want. I'm appalled that so little is available for people who are partially sighted. Everyone should be able to enjoy books and reading.
• Cula, Dumbarton
  I love reading but do not myself have difficulty in reading. Books and the ability to read can enrich a persons life in ways that cannot be substituted by other media. I believe provision should for books to be made available in audio, braille or large print automatically to enable more people to enrich their lives.
• Nicola, New Gilston
  I cannot imagine not being able to access books and other printed material. It would ruin my life. It is appalling that so many people are disenfanchised in this way in the 21st century - the age of information.
• Louise, Skemersdale
  It is a disgrace that people do not have access to books due to this. All books should be of simialr price and be available. Well done for raising people's awareness of this
• Elizabeth, Darlington
  My 7 year old son has eyesight difficulties and dyslexia and is being penalised at school as they do not understand him and his problems. I support any initiative which encourages children to achieve the best they can, and which seeks to understand the problems children and adults experience.
• Annabel , Northampton
  Reading is a basic pleasure that everyone should be able to enjoy. I am absolutely shocked that only 4% of titles are available to people with sight problems.
• Victoria , London
  Yes I support this campaign with great pleasure. I can undestand very well the difficulty in reading small printed books, magazines,newspapers, specially banks business agreements etc. I love reading books articles magazines as a daily routine and research purposes. But as you all have mentioned some books are very difficult to read. I loose my interest when I have to struggle to read. I believe the producers of those books etc pay special ineterest and produce books and other sources of reading materials when the customers request them. We all do business to make a living therfore we have to make a request in advance and I hope producers will draw there attention about this matter as very very important. I will give my full support the campaign in the future. I can assure I can give any legal assistance if you require.
• Katty, Antwerp
  I totally agree with the declaration.
• Paul, Denny
  I do not have sight loss, but as an avid reader it disgusts me that someone who is blind or partially sighted does not have access to the same amount of books and publications as I do
• Elaine, Glasgow
  Accessible format materials for higher education courses are even rarer than for the schools level reading. Most readily obtainable materials seem to be leisure reading. If we are to truly make our education system inclusive, we must solve the problem of inaccessible materials at the research level. Most publishers are producing materials in electronic format prior to printing. Why can't we legislate, as the US is trying to do, to make sure they lodge an XML version with some central agency, so libraries need only contact a single place rather than wasting huge resources dealing and begging files from endless outlets, or trying to create them for themselves? The blind, partially sighted and print impaired have the potential to contribute huge amounts to our national economy, but only if they are allowed to benfit from the same educational experience that the rest of us assume as a right. Finding information by reading or listening would seem to be the most basic of building blocks to a good education and not unreasonable as a demand.
• MARGARET , NEWRY
  As a teacher of Health and Social Care I want my students to be more aware of the everyday discrimination experienced by visually impaired children of their age.
• Hanne, Ashtead
  The pleasure of reading as well as the necessity must be promoted for all as a right. Access to large print and talking books should be extended.
• Rebecca, Peacehaven
  I enejoy reading for pleasure, and I feel that people with sight difficulties should have the same access to books that I enjoy.
• Caroline, Brighton
  I think it is outrageous visually impaired people have to pay up to three times as much for a talking book, everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy books and be able to access the same information.
• Alan, Slough
  I have always enjoyed reading and fully agree that everyone, particularly people with sight problems, should have access to affordable books and taped books. Reading is fundamental to education, research and general enjoyment.
• CLAIRE , BRENTWOOD
  I think its really important blind people have access to books, just like sighted people. They need books in braille for learning as well as fun books to read, so they get a break from the sighted world.
• Margaret, Belfast
  I now need to wear glasses to read, and have discovered just how much this limits my freedom of access to so much. Example - shopping size and price tags, food, the list of items to buy is endless but often I leave shop as I can't read the tags. My hobby is Fashion Design which I study but if I forget my glasses I can not use the reference books I need to use to assist me with patterens/drawing and more, and threading the needle of the sewing machine is impossible. But the positive side is I am more aware of the difficulties people with more severe sight loss must have in their daily living. Now I will voice when I come across any dificulty in reading tags, signs or the general layout of shops shelving I will explain how difficult it is and suggest it might attract more customers if they work towards greater access for all.
• Eleanor, Market Harborough
  When I was very ill and could not see, audio books really helped me to feel better, and to relax during a very scary point in my life. I think they should be available to everyone who needs them.
• Patricia , Cardiff
  I am not visually impaired in any way. I just love reading and can't even imagine what it must be like not to be able to read a good book! That is why I am adding my name in support.
• Maria Veronica, Brøttum
  Everyone should have the option to read.
• Christine, Poole
  There is no reason why most books should not be made available for all to enjoy.
• Angela, Derby
  I have had poor vision all my life and have never been able to read the books that my friends and family can as it is to painfull to read for me, I have just found out about RNIB's talking book service which will improve my life dramatically, they have a very extensive range but I believe that we should be able to purchase large print and audio books at the some price as a normal sighted person.
• Christopher , Loughborough
  I am visually impaired and the cost to have books adapted is extreamly over priced. This is very true of the audio books. For example I wanted to read the new harry potter book. the printed version costs £6.99 but to have that on audio would cost £60 - £70 this is very unfair. I think audio books should be alot cheaper or that people with a Visual Impairment get a discount on these books.
• Lucy, Sittingbourne
  I read to learn. I read to get information. I read to take a break from the world and immerse myself in someone else's story for a change. I read to laugh and to cry. I read to understand how other people experience life, and to understand them more. I read because it gives me hope and perspective. I read because it is one of the few times I can be entirely selfish. I read because it always makes me feel better. I read beause I LOVE to read!
• Gareth, Bridgend
  I work in a Further Education College and am familiar with the difficulties faced by students who require learning materials in an alternative format and also the problems experienced by members of staff who are trying to support them. From a learning support point of view, I feel that being allowed to scan whole books onto computers so they can be changed into different formats is not really helpful enough because even if you are lucky enough to have access to the latest conversion tools it always comes down to how fast you can scan the book in and whether it can be done in synch with the delivery of the course the student is on. In my experience this is not always the case due to the time it takes to scan and then check the documents. I would like to see more publishers providing their books in an electronic document format which would then make the task of converting materials a lot more realistic for all institutions.
• Callum, Buckingham
  All books should be available to buy in large print. I am partially sighted I have nystagmus but I love books. If I could find books that are of interest to me in large print I might actually be able to learn to read properly. [By my Mum]
• carol, irvine
  All persons no matter their disability should have equal access to reading material. My husband has recently been registered blind and has had to make the transition to audio books as he was an ardent reader before. My only objection is that these are alot more expensive, making them less accesible to low income families
• jacqueline, bilston
  I decided to buy a large print book for my mother for Christmas and was amazed that the high street shops don't sell them. I hadn't even realised there was a problem until then.
• Hazel, Gloucester
  We find it particularly difficult to provide children and young people with school text books in large print and braille at the same time as their fully sighted peers. There is frequently a frustrating delay in providing school books in a suitable format.
• kelly, Leominster
  I am a Teaching Assistant at a college and I support people with visual impairment and dyslexia. I know how difficult it is for these students on a day to day basis and I do agree that everyone should have the same opportunities regardless of any difficulties that they may have.
• Emil, Lifford
  I published a novel in 2003 and have just managed to have it issued on audiobook by spokennetwork.com Amazingly it is cheaper to download than to buy the printed version. Hopefully this will enable vision impared people to enjoy my rantings.'The Sultry Climate' is a highly explicit sexual romp. Good luck with your campaign, Emil Di Vago
• Alan, burton upon trent
  Both my wife and I are very avid readers. Of late my wife has dificulty in reading most general font types and unfortunately the large type printed are very limited as to authors etc. We definately feel there should be more selection for people with sight problems and we know that without the RNIB many, many folks would not have access to any form of reading.
• REBECCA, LEIGH
  i think that this campaign is fantastic Not offering visually impaired or blind people the opportunity to read 96% of books and not allowing people to have the same enjoyment of literature is almost the same as depriving people of education. I really hope that this campaign makes a difference.
• Tanya, London
  Access to books should be a right, not a privilege.
• Michaela, Launceston
  I run a scheme to encourage all the children in care in the county to enjoy books and "reading". Many of our children have a range of "special needs" which mean they cannot easily access standard books. The lack of variety of talking books remains a huge problem, as does the lack of short, exciting books for those with a chronological age above their reading age. Foster A Book (FAB) thoroughly supports and endorses the RNIB Right Read Campaign on behalf of the many children in care who access to literature is adversely affected by their problems in reading standard print. On a personal level, having been a Moorfields patient as a very young child, I am lucky enough to have overcome my own visual impairment, through the success of an operation. Reading has always been my passion and the thought that others are denied this pleasure is something about which I feel very strongly. Far more central resources should be allocated to redressing this inequitable imbalance.
• Steven, Peterborough
  In a civilised society, we continue to discriminate against those unfortunate enough to suffer visual impairment. I am ashamed, and wish to add my voice to the call for action.
• Pam, Ipswich
  II have ARMD and can only read in a good light and if the print is bold on good paper. I have recently been given some audio books which I've enjoyed. I hope pressure on publishers will make more books accessible to the increasing numbers of people who are missing being able to read ordinary print. I hppe this makes sense I can't see what I'm typing. Why not the possibility of a still larger font.
• Kelsey, Liverpool
  i would also like to mention that I am 17, dying to read a good fiction. It is hard to believe I have never read a book in my life due to this problem. I am deeply fustrated AND hurt by this lack of acknowledgement. We are people too and deserve the same things as every other child/adult out there that are right now benefiting from the wonders of the written word. Its easy to give sympathy... its hard to treat us like we matter too.
• mat, walton
  I think every one should have the equal right to be able to read a certain book. Therefore books should come in all forms, enlarged writing, braille, audio tapes and cd. READING IS AN EDUCATIONAL RIGHT. It is understood that not all paragraphs or written things such as lables on products are there in standard sizes but the fact that a book is a learning tool , and that the power to learn should be accessible to enny one willing to learn, should be given...
• Kelsey, Liverpool
  I can never find an audio book that I actually need. I study at college and require ALOT of books that can never be supplied to me because the funding isn't there. Frankly, I find it appauling that visually impaired and blind people have to suffer. These things are simple and essential to obtain and funding should never be an issue. I believe that people like myself should never have to struggle in everyday life. Who has the right to stop us from having what everybody else takes for granted?
• catherine, st albans
  i sign on behalf of my son who is registered blind
• Justina, Exeter
  We all have the right to information and an education, regardless of the format. Don't stop the interested and active minds of our society from receiving their rights, please.
• Janet, Ipswich
  I support the right to read. My mum has macular degeneration and is a great reader- what a terrible thing it will be for her not to be able to read. Already she needs things in bigger type, then she can manage.
• justine, measham
  I think that libraries should cater for visually impaired people I have experienced in my local library that there is not much selection of large print books.
• marbe, Glasgow
  Yes there is quite a good choice of audio books in the local library and when you add what is available through RNIB and Calibre that's even better - BUT the problem is when there is A Particular Book that you really want to read and it's not available anywhere. THAT IS DISCRIMINATION. As, of course, is VAT on audio books - so please, Mr Brown, don't pretend it isn't as your predecessor did.
• Jillian, west bradford. clitheroe
  I am registered blind, but I can see large print, depending on the boldness of the print, but I would just love to be able to go into a bookshop and pick a book off the shelf in large print. How brilliant that would be.
• Elaine, London
  We are currently waiting for a diagnosis on our 5 year old son regarding his visual impairment. He is struggling to read the standard texts provided in school. I wrongly assumed that it would be possible to buy most books in larger print. I am shocked that my son may not have access to the same books as his brothers.
• Barbara, Luton
  It is such a simple thing to do make not just larger, but also clearer print books.
• Diane, Yateley
  I have a grandaughter of 17 with macular degeneration. I cannot find the books she wants to read in large print. She should be able to read the same books as her siblings but cannot.
• Elaine, Bodicote
  I became print impaired following a RTA in July 1999. I was once an avid book and magazine reader - a habit that has proved difficult to break. My personal library has over 2,200 books that if I want to access now I have to do a vast collation exercise and contact the various publishers to see if they have a copy in an accessible format or I have to scan in each one into Kurzweil which takes between 1 - 10 hours per book depending on size, print quality, binding etc. Retraining has been a nightmare and at times I felt my university were making it all my fault for having a disability - all I wanted was a little support but it was too hard for them and it stressed me out! And accessing pdfs to get to primary research - what a joke!! Getting simple things done like applying for tax credits, incapacity benefit or doing my tax returns is a nightmare I never knew existed and wish I didn't know now. I've even taken the matter to my MP to see if he can help but he can't!! Yes we have the DDA but you have to take action within 6 months minus one day. Pretty useless unless you have the time and energy to devote to it and you are actively being discriminated against. Seems to me that people only have to try to help and they are off the hook - never mind if the way they try to help stresses you out more than anything gained. The printing press was a great invention but we've rather got caught up in it to the exclusion of those who can't access it!!
• Barbara, Rugeley
  I adore reading, and regard books as my friends. I feel intense shock that people with sight problems cannot read so much that is published. In my opinion they are losing a valuable and educational experience. I do not think I could cope if I couldn't read, and I would also feel very lonely. I cannot imagine an illiterate life at all - for me that would be hell on earth.
• orla, drumquin
  I just want to be the same as my friends and have the same books.
• sonia, drumquin
  My little girl loves books but because she is visually impaired she can't always have the book she wants because she can't see it. It's simple we need all books including school books available in large print. Everyone deserves a chance.
• paul, drumquin
  My 6 year old daughter has no access to large print books and must make do with photocopied pages. This is making her stand out more amoung her peers. Everyone must have the right to read.
• Hannah, Bournemouth
  I think that it is disgusting that, in this day and age, we are not able to provide people with visual impairment the resources that they require. Reading can give so much pleasure and is a vital life skill - GET THIS SORTED!!
• Eileen, London
  I used to deliver large print library books to sight-impaired people, now as I get older I feel the need for larger/clearer print when I read. The technology exists to make many more books available in speech format, too.
• Elizabeth, Cambridge
  I am a sighted person but I am shocked to find that publishers do not automatically make books available in large print. Educational courses are badly affected by lack of resources.
• Jennifer, Chatham
  I love reading but have never been able to find the books that I want in larger print. I am 25 and have three children. I would love to read to them too but alot of the time I have to ask someone else to read to them, it gets me down alot...
• Zsofia, Budapest
  Since I work with visually impaired children I have to face the same problem in my country. I wish your campaign to achieve its aim granting equal opportunities to everyone in Guttenberg's Galaxy.
• Hilary, Salisbury
  I have always loved reading from a small child when my father would sit and read stories about a car called Old Biscuit. Every night I read and I cannot imagine not being able to do so. We seem to live in a world where individuals don't count so if it takes lots of people to shout count me in, everyone has the right to have access to any book they want to read.
• Ed, London
  Fantastic job guys - keep up the good work. Particularly the continuing excellence in Press and PR.
• Sotiria, Athens
  I get frustrated by the fact that I can't read normal size and I have to spend a lot of time and money to convert text to a larger font size or an audio file.I can get literature in audio at the Lighthouse for the Blind, but when you want to read something on the spot it is hard. Books in digital form would help, in combination with a computer screen reader.
• Susan, HERTFORD
  I have had really bad sight but have had lasik. Unfortunately my right eye has regressed from -4 to -6 in the past week and I am waiting for 'emergency treatment' which hopefully will happen next week. In my formative years I could not see the blackboard which was not good. I love reading and would be devastated if I could not read. Unfortunately there are people who take advantage of a disability no matter what it may be or how uncomfortable it may be (by this I mean NHS wheelchairs).
• Derrick, Chelmsford
  We agree that many more books in large print and braille should be available to purchase in bookshops in the High Street
• Louise, London
  Make books more accessible - ASAP :)
• Christine, Sutton
  At the moment I am able to read standard print books but am finding it increasingly difficult, as I get older, to read the "small print" on various products, What is the point of printing it if one can't read it!!
• Cristina, Cypress
  I myself am a blind person who struggles to find materials for school and such in braille. It's really discouraging when I really, really want to read something and am unable to find it in braille. By the time I forget about the book, it might just be out on tape. Also, for those longer books on tape, it's really annoying to find that everything is abridged. I want the entire thing at my fingertips at the same time and at the same price. I am an avid reader and would love to read more, but that also means books that I am interested in rather than the books that are necessary to read through school. Leisurely reading, I feel, is not enforced in the blind community, specifically because we can't get our materials in braille. It's not wonder so many blind people are illiterate; we hardly have anything to read.
• Sarah, Southampton
  I love to read, however, my fiance absolutely hates having to read and write. This is purely because he found it very difficult to focus his eyes and concentrate on reading at school. The words kept jumping around or were not very clear. My daughter has some difficulties in reading, she has Central Auditory Processing Disorder, which we are complete beginners in this and know absolutely nothing about the condition. My aim is to help and encourage my family to learn and enjoy reading and will want to do voluntarily rather than with contempt! Good luck with the cause! My late uncle was blind and found it very difficult finding auditory books.... keep up the good work I am sure he approves!
• John, Dartford
  I am partially sighted and I sometimes use my local library for recorded books. I am using Dolphin magnification to write this.
• Mohammad , Bradford
  We should all be equal before the book
• Linda, Liverpool
  I am registered blind and now have talking books but I think it is everyones right to be able to read.
• Alison, Winchester
  I love reading as does my mum who has macular degeneration and, for her, Talking Books is her lifeline. She reads (listens!) to her audio books voraciously. I am happy to be contacted on any issues regarding improving access to reading for the blind and partially sighted. I am looking into volunteering with RNIB and hope to become a RNIB volunteer early in 2008.
• Marie, Eastbourne
  I was diagnosed with cataracts a couple of years ago, I wasn't even 50! Many books are printed in such small typefaces that it is impossible to read them the way I would like to. I cannot take a book or newspaper into a cafe to read and relax as I struggle and squint or resort to a magnifier which draws attention to me.
• Louise , Darford
  I am a visually impaired person and struggle to read books. I have to get the books when they come out on audio format as quite often they never come into large print. It isn't just reading books I struggle reading, I struggle reading college text books as well.
• Brenda, Glasgow
  I love to read - I can't imagine how difficult it must be for people with a visual impairment to not have access to the latest bestseller or an old favourite. Perhaps we should also ask all the authors to ensure that their publishers will make other formats available for all their books.
• Prakashan, London
  This is most shocking! I had no idea that this was the case. Sadly, I imagine far too many people are unaware of the numerous hurdles encountered by those with sight problems.
• MARY, NEWTOWNARDS
  My mother would be completely isolated and bored if she didn't have her talking books. They brighten up her day and give her something to discuss with me when I call.
• Anne, Strabane
  I work in the local community library and I can see at first hand the difficulty faced by blind and partially sighted people when it comes to the basic right to read. I would like to help more but feel restricted.
• lily, Ilford
  Ihave not been able to read a book for ages unfortunately as I used to love reading. I feel it is grossly unfair to penalise people in this way.
• lily, Ilford
  I have not been able to read a book for ages unfortunately as I used to love reading. I have not been able to read a book for ages unfotunately as I used to do a lot of reading. I feel it is grossly unfair that they penalise people in this way. ove radin e
• ANITA, Banbury
  Everyone should have the right to read whatever books they would like.
• Denise, Lisburn
  I find that normal fictional books i cannot find in large print and therefore have to use glasses plus magnifiers. I find it bad that books in alternative formats are so much dearer than standard books.
• Vicki , Manchester
  Reading used to be my hobby - my escape from the world. In the 8 years since I lost my sight it is one of the few things that can still make me cry. It is particularly hard when a child puts a book on your lap and asks for a story. I have listened to audio versions of books I read and they have invairiably been abridged. I love history and there are so few decent factual audio books. The list goes on. Reading is a gateway to the world. At least I know what I am missing. Those who have been blind from birth do not and this disadvantages them. The right to read campaign is a great idea.
• Jill, Stoke on Trent
  I help my 90 year old aunt to select large print library books. There is a limited choice and the books are very heavy. She has read all her life, it is her only pleasure.
• Joseph, Harrow
  My local library has some large print books but the selection is rather poor. I've read most of the novels I'm interested in but loath to read the others. Some of the more fuller novel become too heavy to hold after a while so become awkward to hold or carry around with you so I give them a miss as well. Why can these long novels not be available in smaller volumes as a set? I prefer the audio books which I can listen to whilst relaxing.
• Heather, Norwich
  We bought a book whilst in America. A beautiful book called "Merle's Door" about a yellow labrador, it would be of interest to all my blind friends but our print version is of no practical use to them. I would so love them to read it. Fortunately, I have a sighted partner who read it to me. All of the guide dog owners would love this book.
• Thomas, Leeds
  I choose library books for my mother who has macular degeneration & although I know that the library service gets new books in regularly the proportion of stock available in large print or unabridged spoken word is really poor. I have a level of self interest too - I love reading & know that my degree of short sight is severe as my optician warned me about increased risk of retinal detachment & I have a lazy eye so I'm anticipating a time when I will be using a magnifier to read the cornflakes box because it is the best thing I can find!
• Eileen , Swansea
  To loose sight (even in one eye) is scary. You lose confidence, become more dependant and less independant, feel stupid and humiliated on occasion. I have been lucky 3 operations and my sight is back if less good but i do not know what the future holds. Please campaign for: More awareness of sight problems and how to help yourself ie stop smoking, eat a more balanced diet etc. More large type books and other aids. More money for research.
• Richard, Twickenham
  I am signing on behalf of my 92 year old blind mother. She gets enormous pleasure from the talking book service, but wishes there was a bigger and wider selection. More power to your elbow.
• Richard, Twickenham
  I am signing on behalf of my 92 year old blind mother. She gets enormous pleasure from the talking book service, but wishes there was a bigger and wider selection. More power to your elbow.
• Helen, Grantham
  I help a lady that suffers from Motor Neurone Disease, she cannot cope with small print, it is vital that this campaign is effective.
• Deborah, London
  My father, once an avid reader, found his later reading life sorely limited by the small range of audio books he was able to gain access to through his local library after he became partially sighted. Since I have had to start wearing glasses in my mid-40s, I have begun to realise the awful implications of losing one's sight. I fully support this campaign.
• kim, county durham
  I do support the right to read campaign, I am 48 and due to a brain tumour now have problems with my sight. I find it is not only books where the problem is but in most forms of communication. I recently filled in a passport application, that was riduculous. The labelling on food needs to be re-thought, I use a magnifying glass, but this is not always possible. Unfortunately most people are most unhelpful especially in stores, I am amazed at the looks I now receive when I ask them to read something for me. Perhaps just more awareness would be good. I must admit until recently I was one of those people.
• Carole, Plymouth
  I have been an avid reader all my life and the thought of being unable to read 96% of books is life-shattering. I am in the fortunate position of still being able to read almost anything, but now require eye surgery and realise that this situation may change. The limited choice of large-print books is appalling and I believe that more government money, or lottery funds, should be directed to rectifying the situation. Reading is the main escape from stress for millions of people, and it is so unfair that a large proportion of the population should be excluded because of lack of choice of appropriate publications.
• Joan , Penarth
  There should be equality of service for all.
• Caroline, Maryport
  Not only books - which is awful to think people are denied that pleasure, but the dangers of not being able to read instructions, prescriptions, directions etc. letters from loved ones and so much more which makes life easier and often more rich and colourful .
• Elizabeth, Bangor
  I just recently became aware of the lack of large print diaries and books when a lady aged 97 asked me if I could find a diary that she could use as she just could not see normal print.
• Gwyneth, Wrexham
  Reading has been a godsend to me and changed my life and the lives of others in my family. Now I'm struggling to read and I suddenly realise what I'm missing. So *much* literature is in small print, which is so annoying for many people. Now that older people represent such a large chunk of the population, it is ironic that publishers are ignoring their needs. It is just slightly larger, clearer print I'm asking for, which wouldn't cost that much to achieve?
• Maxine, Derby
  I hope this campaign brings results and the people who can help will.
• claire, Bristol
  My mum loved reading and now has glaucoma which means she cannot read 'off-the-shelf' books which is such a shame as I always bought her a book for x-mas. It won't happen this year. :(
• Catherine, Kilkeel
  As a Vision Support Teacher I whole heartedly support the RNIB's 'Right to Read' campaign. It makes our job very difficult to have to tell a child that they often can't have the same book as everyone else in their class.
• Kathleen, Ashton-u-Lyne
  Reading is essential for any education whatsoever. It is vital in modern life. People with sight problems deserve the same opportunities as any one else.
• Chris, Troon
  I love to read. I suffer from optical neuritis in one eye and have the ever present possibility of loosing my sight. I would like to know that there was some way I could continue to enjoy books in that event.
• Kathleen, Orpington
  At the moment I do not have any sight problems and I love reading, a pastime which everyone in my family enjoys. I think it is essential that this joy is available to all, and partially sighted and blind people should have the facility available to them through large print and audio books at reasonable prices, or on loan from the libraries free of charge to anyone with a sight problem.
• Julie, Aberdeen
  I also think that every book should be available in electronic format for people with dyslexia.
• Clare, Northampton
  Books need to be made accessible to everyone. I love reading and find it hard to imagine how I would manage if I couldn't relax with a good book.
• tracy, earl shilton
  I am registered blind. Before my eyes deteriorated i used to be an avid reader. I had to give it up then and so miss it. Please make books available to people - in this day and age we shouldn't have to give it up. I don't have a tape machine, i cant afford it.
• Ian, London
  I think it is shocking that people with sight problems are denied the right to read. I also think it is shocking that people with physical disabilities, which make it difficult or impossible to hold and manipulate standard books, are denied access to audio or e-text versions of books.
• Elinor, Bridgend
  life is so boring if you can't read.
• Celia, London
  I support this campaign wholeheartedly. My life would not be the same without my world of books.
• Darius, Nuneaton
  Everyone should have access to reading material of any kind. Reading stimulates the mind to lose itself in a landscape of someones vision or imagination. From this our own minds start to explore, question and formulate. Beauty, fear, danger, excitement, dread, worry. The list can go on forever, because books can put you through these feelings within their pages. And the only thing that comes close is life itself.
• karen, stevenage
  i find it really hard to get books for my son who is blind and is 2 years old - he really loves to read - and think that it should be easier for me to get books for him.
• Robert, Belfast
  I believe it is a right for people with a visual impairment to have their every day information in a format that benefits them
• Rosie, Lowestoft
  My eyesight is not good but I can read. However, I am signing this as a reader for Sound East, Lowestoft.
• Sharon, Scarborough
  I love reading it is a big part of my life but struggle to get large print books on newly released books. Not all books come in large print and the prices to buy if available are too high. I got a £10 book voucher for my birthday and would love to buy a Bestseller but I have to order any book in large print and then can only get it if available and then that will be 6 months after it is first published and at a cost of £20 plus when the same book is in paperback for £5.99 ! I sometimes have to wait for a novel to come out in film as there is no way I can read the format available. How wrong is that ?!
• Michelle, Rutland
  I am shocked at the statistics here. As a carer, I have many clients who use audio books and I cannot believe that only 4% of books are accessible. This needs to change to improve the quality of lives of these people.
• Meriel, Littlehampton
  Surely there must be an equal opps issue here? Shouldn't we all have equal rights of access to reading material irrespective of whether we have a disability?
• aisling, nottingham
  i think there should be more teen/young adults books in audio, braille and large print
• karen, perthshire
  My daughter became blind at the age of 19 years old. Jill had always been an avid reader, but because of the lack of access to books, her interest became diminished. She has always stated how much she misses reading books, and this is why I put my name to this campaign.
• Dorrinda, Coventry
  All the knowledge in the world is in books so how can we deny this to knowledge to so many people?
• Ann, London
  I am shocked and amazed that so few books are available to people who can't access standard print - this can't be allowed to continue.
• IRENE, BISHOP'S STORTFORD
  My son has been totally blind since birth. He is now in his twenties and is a fluent braille reader, but it has always been difficult to find interesting and contemporary literature in braille. When he was a small child I frequently had books transcribed specially for him. It is shameful that in an educated society, in the 21st century, anyone should be denied access to literature or information because of their disability.
• Alison, Dalkeith
  I would love to share my favourite books with my husband, but virutally none of them are available on audio or braille so we miss out on being able to discuss them and share something that we both love!
• emma, skelmersdale
  It is disgraceful that blind, partially sighted and dyslexic people don't get the oppurtunies that sighted peole do, and this should be corrected as soon as possible.
• SJ, LEICS
  Hello RNIB, I'm not blind, however as a dyslectic, I highly encourage and support all of you in your "Right to Read Campaign" in hopes that your mission will some day provide specialised books and other reading resources worldwide for those who are blind, dyslexic or have some other form of reading impairment! Thank you for your remarkable vision! ~All the Best, SJ Gamble
• Andrea, Braintree
  As an avid reader I would hate to have only 4% of published books available to me.
• Pam, Bristol
  I love to read books, but am severely limited in titles available and they are often have expensive hard covers.
• Tom, Bangor
  I support the right to read campaign because reading is such a wonderful and stimulating adventure.
• YVONNE, TELFORD
  I GET VERY FRUSTRATED WHEN THERE IS A BOOK I WANT TO READ THAT IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN PRINT.
• Judith, London
  I love reading and have the pleasure of teaching young children to read and enjoy all forms of print. My registered blind nephew has come to live with me and I am horified at the difficulties he faces struggling to read things I take for granted. He also has difficulties getting companies to send his statements in braile or large print which would enable him to become independent. I support this campaign wholeheartedly he has opened my eyes to the problems faced by people who have reading difficulties and the joy that they are missing by not being able to pick up a book.
• Yutaka, Bizen, Okayama
  All the books should be published.
• Victoria, Buxton,
  I think it is criminal for some people not to recieve the kind of written work that we have access to. More written articles should be available for all!!!!
• Tracey, Arlesey
  Please remember children's book too. I teach a partially sighted boy - It's so hard trying to get hold of current suitable books for him.
• Donna, Great Yarmouth
  I am incredibly lucky that I can see and disappear into a world of books where you can use your imagination and escape from the real world for a while. Books should be available to everyone whether it be affordable audio or braille it is a crying shame that publishers do not arrange books to be printed in braille I cannot imagine the costs would be much higher but the pleasure books can bring is immense.
• Michelle, London
  Knowledge is for all and must be made accessible to all.
• Elaine, St Austell
  I have a son who is dyspraxic, and his dad is dyslexic, these problems are wide spread!
• Maureen, Wrexham
  Reading is a wonderful pastime that should be encouraged; it's AWFUL that people are being denied the right to read :-(
• Diana, Folkestone
  it's disgusting in this day and age that more books and funds are not available
• Jenni, Sowerby Bridge
  I'm an avid reader and don't know what I'd do without my eyesight...it's disgraceful that 96% of books are not available to the blind/partially sighted.
• Mary, Bradford
  I couldn't imagine a world without books, how awful therefore that so many people are denied access to the joy of reading. I wholeheartedly support your Right to Read campaign everyone should be able to access reading matter and not be charged more because of a disability how unfair.
• Carol, Norwich
  I love to read and find it appalling that others are denied this simple pleasure.
• Louisa, Wokingham
  It is very difficult to find books I can read. Even now the latest Harry Potter book in large print was £35 to the £9 for the regular print book. Too many people are missing out on life's enjoyments. I also find it very hard to find any books I haven't read in my local library - they offer no brailled books at all and the large print and audio book collections are quite old. I would love to be able to read the same book at the same time as everyone else.
• Alison, Nottingham
  My two daughters are dyslexic and I find it very difficult to find books in the correct font for them.
• Ciara, OMAGH
  I love to read and thankfully have no difficulties with reading. I can't imagine how terrible it would be to not be able to get the pleasure of reading a good book. It needs to become law to make ALL printed material accessible.
• Jennifer, Forfar
  My dad is registered blind, and I find frustrating that I cannot buy him many of the popular science books which I read but I cannot find any that are available in audio format.
• Susannah, Sherborne
  As a librarian, I am familiar with the problem of finding newly-published books - as well as many "old favourites" - in other accessible formats and deplore this lack of provision. Good luck with the campaign.
• Alison, Northwich
  As a Learning Support Assistant working in a society that claims to be inclusive I am shocked that the children I work with who have sight disorders are unable to access the same variety of books as everyone else. Whatever happened to Equal Opportunities?
• Fiona, Richmond
  If I went blind, I would be devastated to have a severely limited choice of books. It would be horrific enough losing my sight, never mind not being able to enjoy life afterwards.
• Garry, Swansea
  It worries me that such are high percentage of those who have visual loss can not get access to the majority if not all books.
• Teresa, Lancaster
  When will someone start making books in dual format to introduce sighted children to the need for braille and the opportunity to identify with visually impaired and a sighted child and a blind child can read side by side. If all books were designed in this format then there would be no need for special requirements for the visually impaired!
• Jan, Lancaster
  The Government wants children to read but this is nearly impossible because RNIB still doesn't cater properly for blind children. With computers there should be no reason why this should be.
• Phil, Lancaster
  IT IS NOT RIGHT THAT LESS THAN 5% OF BOOKS PUBLISHED ARE AVAILABLE TO VIPS.
• Albert, Northampton
  Everybody including children should have the same right to read as sighted people. With computers this is much easier.
• Cecil, Ballyclare
  Most frustrating for all ages of visually impaired and blind people who are as important to society as sighted folk! What happened to the 'law' that shouted loudly a couple of years ago that we have to be "ALL-INCLUSIVE"......?
• Anne, Harrow
  My mum died earlier this year. For the last 15 years of her life, her sight meant that reading was impossible. Without Talking Books she would have gone mad. Her passion for reading was passed on to my sister and I, both avid readers. I have the same degenerative eye condition as my mum and know that I will lose enough of my sight to make reading conventional print impossible in the next few years. The future seems bleak without books. I heartily support your campaign.
• JENNIE, BURNLEY
  EVEN THIS HAS TO BE FILLED IN BY MY DAUGHTER - I RELY ON AUDIO BOKS FOR MY ENTERTAINMENT AND DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO WITHOUT THEM!
• Jane, Hemel Hempstead
  As an avid reader of a wide range of books, I can't imagine what it must be like to be prevented from having access to such a treasure store.
• Angela , Birmingham
  Reading is important to me and my children. I read both braille and audio books. My son is partially sighted and multi disabled. Reading his audio books relieves stress for him and he would like to receive more up to date childrens books.
• christopher, surrey
  I have never known that this was so bad. I myself have problems with reading not with blindness but with words so I hope that more people sign up so the govenment takes notice and help out.
• Jo, London
  I read endlessly and would be devastated to find I couldn't access all the books I currently can were I to lose my sight. Its about time ALL new books were made in an accessible format as soon as they are available in standard print.
• Sirke, Bellingen
  I love reading. It has been one of lifes great pleasures and fortunately, I have fairly good eyesight. However, it might be worth remembering when we see a visually impaired person,that,..."but for the grace of God there go I." Of course everyone has the right to read,and the least we can do is create more and more books in formats which enable blind or visually impaired people to enjoy what we take for granted.
• Jane, Nr Chard
  Everyone should have the opportunity to access books, electronic or in print, The Right to Read is as important as the Right to Knowledge that all humans should be allowed. This problem needs to be solved with argument. Just do it.
• tiffany, vic,
  I would like to add my name to this petition. Is it still acceptable even though I am outside England? I feel very strongly about this campaign.
• Jason, Southbourne
  I think this is a great idea. I am partially dyslexic and my eyes go blurry after reading for a short while. I remember a while back I saw a new type of text that they were printing, which went in a curve. I never heard anymore about it, but it was SO much easier to read. I hope they employ this into ALL books!
• Helen , Nantwich
  My dyslexic son has to pay 70p for an audio tape. This seems unfair.
• Nick, London
  It's unfair that being able to read to read does not necessarily mean you can read. I fully support all attempts to bring books, documents, letters - words - to everybody, however they need them.
• Huw, London
  The Right to Read campaign is one of the most important accessibility issues to date - the fact that thousands of people with sight problems can't access so many books is a disgrace - our government should address this immediately.
• Keith, Coventry
  I write on behalf of my deafblind wife Julia, who being taught braille, was then refused by the Adult education authority the chance to learn English because it have to be taught in braille. Why open a door to communication then slam it shut when the need to expand into understanding english is so cruelly taken away.
• Angela, London
  My bright 14 year old, Year 10, son is studying for 10 GCSE's. He is registered visually impaired and needs text in large print, font size 24. The majority of his school text books are simply not available in large print. This means his precious LSA time is spent photocopying large tracts of books onto A3 paper which are loose, unwieldy and difficult to manage. His LSA is therefore glued to a photocopier and not in class supporting him with writing on the board and incidental learning. Surely National Curriculum text books, at the very least, can be made available for printing in large print? My son participated in the Children's Lobby of Parliament and our MP was sympathetic, however not much seems to have moved since then.
• Claire, Liverpool
  I have always loved reading but unfortunatley I now suffer from severe double vision and reading is no longer pleasurable but painful meaning I unfortunately can't read books anymore. I also have the problem that I am a theatre design student and need to read scripts and stories for design purposes. I have been introduced to audio books but am struggling to find many books that I want, especially at a reasonable price. It is unfair that visually disabled people should have to pay a lot more than sighted people to read.
• Linn, London
  I am completely blind, and I love reading books. I was really shocked and surprised to find out how few books are accessible in braille and audio! And when they are, they choose to do abridged versions. I don't think this is fair and acceptable and I know many with me would like to access that 96% or books unabridged.
• Debbie, Bexhill-on-sea
  I feel that when you are at school you are encouraged to read and this should continue through our lives.
• Ian, OMAGH
  As a visually impaired person myself, I think it's a terrible shame that I am missing out by not being able to access books in the format that best suits my needs.
• Gareth, BELFAST
  I think it is very important that people should be given equal opertunities to read whatever they want in what ever format. Listening to tapes is OK but you can get more into books sometimes by reading them. I am a braille user myself.
• james, bexhill
  My 9 year old grandson is totally blind, he loves reading,but has little help at our local library.
• Geoffrey, Portland
  Far few titles avaible in audio format.
• Michelle, Hampton
  My son is 3, he loves books but he cannot see the small print as he has partial sight in one eye. I would love to see books strengthened for his disability to make his life as enjoyable and normal as everyone else.
• Brenda, Portland
  Not enough selection of titles on audio and they all tend to be expensive.
• Victoria, London
  I'm supporting the campaign because I think it is a very valuable initiative. Aside from this, I wear glasses and find it hard to see without them. It is possible that I may find myself benefitting from this wonderful service in the future.
• Laura, Belfast
  I had major problems at school keeping up with other pupils and found that massive A3 photocopied sheets were inpractical, bulkey and very time consuming for the teachers to produce.
• Danny, Armagh
  there should be equal opportunity for everyone
• Rachael Anne, Birmingham
  I hate the fact that people are able to read the best sellers and I have to either wait for the audio version or struggle with a magnifier. It's about time that books were made more accessible to people with a visual impairment.
• Donna, Solihull
  My son has a visual impairment due to the way he has to process information because of his cerebral palsy. No one seems to know where or how to obtain text books to support his education. How is that inclusion?
• Martin, Leeds
  Those who can read unhampered are lucky, those who can't read are unfortunate and those who can read but are prevented from doing so because of lack of appropriate books are being discriminated against.
• Lesley, Ruislip
  I think the right to read is especially important to older people with sight problems who enjoy reading - and there are an increasing number of them.
• Michelle, Burnley
  Our company works with young people aged 14-16 who struggle in mainstream school. One of the main difficulties that our pupils face is reading. I did some one to one work with some pupils last year and found that most of them love reading when in the right environment and given the chance, and the pupils who thought that they were unable to read, actually impressed themselves when they felt comfortable and were given the opportunity.
• Ian, Cardiff
  It is a sad indictment on our society when we deny blind and partially sighted people access to 96% of books. Everything that can be done should be done to move towards making all books available in accessible formats as soon as possible.
• Shirley, London
  I thinkit's shocking that there is such a limited choice of audio CDs and Daisy books - these play a huge role in the enjoyment of life for many, particularly older people.
• Marion, Gateshead
  I already support the RNIB Talking Book Service. My late mother lost her sight suddenly at the age of 79. She had been an avid reader, secretary of the local Over 60's, loved her TV and knitting and reading with her great-granchildren etc. She was traumatised until the day she was given a machine and started to receive talking books. It transformed her life and she spent hours each day happily listening to her books. Unfortunately, we sometimes had to wait because she'd exhausted ALL the stories in ALL the catalogues and we just couldn't keep her going. Whenever this happened and until a new catalogue arrived I trawled the bookshops and libraries looking for the sort of books she liked on audio cassette tapes. I am forever grateful to the RNIB and its wonderful Talking Book Service for making my mother's final years enjoyable.
• Kim, Peterborough
  Reading is one of the best ways in which to escape, and to learn. Losing your sight shouldn't mean losing your right.
• Margaret, Cambridge
  My 8 year old grandson is registered blind. I want to buy him large print books for Christmas and have the same choice that I have for my other grandchildren.
• Florence, Catford
  I am very pleased that my 5 year old daughter with no sight problems is a good reader, yet my 7 year old daughter with poor vision is not yet expected to be learning to read so my request for assistance with magnification involves wanting to know how much she can read. This is a chicken and egg story. She may well be a great reader if she has equal access to the written word as her sister. But in order for her to have access, she has to prove she can read, yet in order for her to be able to learn, she needs magnification. This is not common sense!
• pam, lytham st annes
  We have a 9 year old daughter who is partially sighted, she is an avid reader. We joined the the smile centre at our local library to find plenty of books for the under 5s and over 11s, but not one book for her, its such a shame because books are a great joy for her. School has the same problem they adapt books for her but its not the same. We seem to have come up against a brick wall.
• Paul, Greenwich
  With the age of modern technology that is now apon us, I find it hard to believe that publishers of books are still not producing a large percentage of books in braille, audio or electronic format. It takes around 20 seconds to protect a PDF document, lock a word document, apply DRM to a file etc. Why is it that my sighted friends and colleagues are able to walk into a shop, library etc to pick up a book off of the shelf but I, as a blind person are refused this right as publishers refuse to give us access to most of there materials? Is this not a violation of my rights as an individual? Something needs to be done about this now!!!!! We all take the time to vote politicians into office, I wonder how many of them have taken the time to read and sign this decleration?
• Vicky, Swindon
  Large print is essential for a partially sighted child to have when learning to read. But getting hold of books is expensive and hard to find appropriate reading material