According to a Guardian article,
Just 4% of books published in the UK currently make it into Braille, large print or audio formats, according to the Royal National Institute of Blind People…According to David Mann, campaigns manager at the Royal National Institute of Blind People,
Because Braille exists and does give the potential for equal access, it is very alarming that even now, 200 years after it was invented, it is not routine for things to be available in Braille.Since this is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Braille’s inventor, this is a timely campaign. It’s also a good idea, and I salute Rankin for launching this campaign, asking writers, publishers, and booksellers to make more books available to the visually impaired.
This is a very worthwhile cause. I can't imagine not being able to read any more.
ReplyDeleteMorgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
http://www.morganmandel.com
I think this is incredible. I love the idea that anyone can read our books.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother was legally blind and I wish there had been more available to her.
http://karensyed.blogspot.com
I hope the campaign works. More books in Braille or audio for the visually impaired (machine is different from regular player) would be great. My sister's mother in law was always a big reader. But she's losing her eyesight and can no longer read.
ReplyDeleteCool! I like the idea too. Although I imagine audio books have taken off in that regard.
ReplyDeleteHeidi M. Thomas
http://heidiwriter.wordpress.com
I don't have any figures on audio books, but I would not be surprised to find their sales have gone up as this generation ages. There is a device for visually impaired readers to listen to books that is different from a standard recorder. Those books have to be put on a special recording device. But plenty of people are still able to use a CD player or cassette recorder to listen. A lot of us can still read, but like to listen, esp when driving or flying.
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of audio books. They are not only of value to the visually impaired, but a great help to people with written word limitations. We use Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D). If a child has an IEP documented reading limitations they are eligible for this service. Once a member, they can continue to use the service for the rest of their lives, both for academic and personal reading.
ReplyDeleteWebsite: http://www.rfbd.org/
~jon
Thank you Jon for your comment and the link. That's a great help!
ReplyDelete