Press Centre

Two million people denied the right to read

Summary: Press release about RNIB's Right to Read week 2007.

• Notes to Editors

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Two million people with sight problems in the UK risk exclusion from the Government’s National Year of Reading (2008) because they can't read the 96 percent of books only available in standard print, warns the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) at the start of Right to Read Week (5-11 November).

96 per cent of books published in the UK never make it into a format that a blind, partially sighted, dyslexic or other print disabled person can read - such as large print, audio, braille or electronic. The charity warns that the "book famine" already faced by millions across the country will be particularly acute in 2008 when we will all be encouraged to enjoy the opportunities reading creates.

RNIB, as part of the Right to Read Alliance, is urging Government to take steps to ensure that more books are published that people with sight problems can read. The charity welcomes the National Year of Reading and is also calling on those running events and initiatives to work with us to make them as inspiring and engaging for blind, partially sighted and dyslexic people as for everyone else.

37 year old Nadine was born blind with congenital cataracts. Surgery when she was seven restored some sight, then at 18 Nadine developed glaucoma, which is steadily reducing her vision.

Nadine says: “I’ve always loved reading and from a young age devoured any book that crossed my path. I now find it very frustrating as there are so few books produced unabridged in audio format or in large print. Even the ones that are produced are months behind the normal release date. I’ve just about read everything available in our library in the subjects that interest me and since unabridged audio books can cost around £70 I can’t afford to buy them. Text books are another nightmare, if I want to do any courses I have to first look for the text books to see if I can manage them with a CCTV which can limit my choice of study considerably.”

RNIB Campaigner Julianne Marriott said: "Reading opens up a world of adventure and enjoyment; it's also the gateway to a good education and employment opportunities, so RNIB very much welcomes the National Year of Reading. What we want, however, is for blind and partially sighted people across the country to be able to take part alongside everyone else. How wonderful it would be if the legacy of the National Year of Reading was to have unlocked a world of reading for millions of people who can’t read standard print!"

Most books available in large print, audio or braille continue to be produced by charities dependent on public donations. This effectively leaves blind and partially sighted people relying on charity to provide their right to read. In addition, the few books that are available in alternative formats are produced long after they're available in bookshops, while the cost of most full-length audio books is often five or six times that of a paperback!

RNIB’s Julianne Marriott continued: “RNIB believes that people with sight problems have the right to read the same book, at the same time, at the same price as everyone else. We need Government and publishers to work together to end this book famine. We're also asking everyone who loves reading to add their voices to our campaign by signing up to our Right to Read Declaration."

Anna Tylor, Chair of the Right to Read Alliance and Trustee of Dyslexia Action, says: “It is very important that people who are print disabled because of dyslexia or sight loss have equal access to printed materials. We are lobbying for all books to be available in alternative formats, providing equal access to opportunity and progression.”

Over 40 high-profile authors and celebrities have signed up to the Right to Read Declaration, including; Sir Trevor McDonald OBE, Ruth Rendell, Frederick Forsyth, Joanna Trollope, Jacqueline Wilson, Fay Weldon, Joanne Harris, Alan Titchmarsh, Julian Fellowes and AS Byatt.

If you believe that blind and partially sighted people have the right to read the same books, at the same time as their sighted peers, please add your name to the Right to Read Declaration and tell us why reading is important to you at the Right to Read homepage.

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For further press information, case studies or interviews with spokespeople, please contact RNIB’s Press Office on 020 7391 2223 (out of hours mobile 07968 482 812). Ref: 61

Notes to Editors

1. Every day another 100 people will start to lose their sight. There are around two million people in the UK with sight problems. RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties. If you, or someone you know, has a sight problem, RNIB can help. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0845 766 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk

2. The Right to Read Alliance includes over 20 organisations representing or working with blind and partially sighted, dyslexic, and other print disabled people. The campaign was launched in 2002 to tackle the shortage of books available to blind and partially sighted people and those with print reading disabilities. The campaign’s aim is for people with sight problems and print reading disabilities to be able to read the same book, at the same time, at the same price as others. Currently, 96 percent of books are never made available in large print, audio or braille. People with sight problems often have to wait months and years for even those few books. Audio books available commercially can be four or five times more expensive than the print. Many commercial audio books are abridged. For more information visit rnib.org.uk/righttoread

Content author: pressoffice@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 20/11/2008 11:13