Disability services: Free listening libraries

For some people with a chronic illness/disability audiobooks can be more accessible for a number of reasons.

There are a number of listening libraries available free of charge to those who need to access audiobooks whether it be because of a visual impairment or a print disability.

So what is a print disability?

Irlen’s glasses

A print disability covers a wide range of things. It could mean you struggle to read print because of a specific learning disability like dyslexia. You could have Irlens Syndrome (also known as Scotopic Sensitivity). Also you don’t have a visual impairment but you struggle to read small or written print. It could also cover cognitive difficulties with reading such as poor concentration, brain fog and conditions like brain injuries. 

Print disabilities also cover physical difficulties with books too. For example struggling to hold a book or turn a page due to disabilities and conditions like Spinal Cord Injuries, M.E., Multiple Sclerosis, a brain injuries and so on.

Personally I feel this extends to reading, using and holding e-readers as well.

RNIB Reading Services

RNIB Reading Services is freely open to anyone who is blind, partially sighted or has a print or physical impairment that prevents them from reading standard print.

Their Reading Service is available in a number of different formats. There is a link between Amazon’s Alexa and RNIB’s talking books. They also offer books in braille and now a new service e-Braille. Books can also be loaned on Daisy CD’s and USB. They also have a library of books through the Dolphin EasyReader app audiobook library.

As well as books magazines and newspapers can also be accessed on audio.

Listening Books

Listening Books is “an audiobook lending charity for those that find their illness, mental health, physical or learning disability affects their ability to read the printed word or hold a book.”

Their books can be accessed through their website or through the Libby audiobook library app.

Magazines and newspapers can also be accessed.

To qualify for Listening Books you must have a disability, illness, learning disability or mental health condition that impacts your ability to read or hold a book.

Membership costs £20 a year however if you are unable to pay for your membership you can access all services for free.

BorrowBox

BorrowBox is a library in one app, from it; from it audiobooks and eBooks can be borrowed.

It’s a free service some local libraries now use to allow members to access digital content. You can check with your local library to see if they’re using BorrowBox.

Calibre Audio

Calibre Audio is a charity for people who find reading a printed book hard. This includes dyslexia, brain injuries, strokes, visual impairments and blindness and physical illness such as Parkinson’s disease, MND and arthritis

For those over 25 the fee is £3 a month or £30 for the year. For those using the USB stick service for books or those under 25 the service is free.

Calibre Audio uses to Dolphin EasyReader app or the Libby app, streaming through their website, USB stick, and through the Synapptic software used by those with visual impairments.