I wanted to compile the list of resources and products I’ve found useful for my visually impaired little one, as things aren’t easy to find unless you know who to ask. If you have used any of these or know of any more, please get in touch.

Libraries and resources for large print, braille, multi-sensory and audio books

  • CustomEyes, Guide Dogs UK

    This is a membership service, supplied by Guide Dogs UK, where you can order customised books in large print for the RRP.
    The customise options are extensive: font size, font, line spacing, paper colour etc.

    For World Book Day, you can go to them to request a large print version of the WBD titles.

    I have used this service myself. Read my blog post about it here. (TBC)

  • Living Paintings Charity

    Living Paintings adapts books to create unique tactile, braille and audio experiences for blind and VI children.

    You can borrow for free from their postal library.

  • Clear Vision Project

    Clear Vision Project is a postal lending library of mainstream children’s books with added braille (or Moon), print and pictures.

  • RNIB Library

    RNIB Library is a free library of digital, audio, braille and giant print books.

  • RNIB Bookshare

    RNIB Bookshare is an educational resource for learners with a print-disability, including those with dyslexia or who are blind or partially sighted.

    An educational setting has to register for this, and then they can add the child as a member.

  • Listening Books

    Listening Books is a postal and internet audiobook service.

  • Access2Books

    Access2Books is a community interest project supplying giant print and braille books.

    They print and dispatch books between 1st November and 31st March, though the shop is open all year around.

    These books are 72pt font size with braille and illustrations.

    My little one uses these at nursery, and absolutely loves them. The titles they haves access to in large print tend to be the books they return to and love.

  • Calibre Audio

    Calibre Audio is a free service which provides a collection of over 14,500 free audio books for those who find print hard to access.

  • Bag Books

    Bag Books provide multi-sensory books and storytelling materials for those with severe or profound learning disabilities.

If you know of another resource, please let me know!

Products and gadgets to help with visual impairment

  • Page magnifiers

    These are page sized magnifying glasses that can be used to enhance the size of text and images.

    The one we have is LED backlit and it’s very bright, but can be varied.

    My little one finds this a little tricky to use sometimes, as you have to have it in the correct position and distance. Often they try and put it against their eyes as they do for their glasses.

    These can be found on Amazon.

  • Dolphin EasyReader App

    Dolphin EasyReader is a free app which makes reading more accessible for readers who are visually impaired, have a neurodiverse condition such as dyslexia or any other print impairment.

    With EasyReader, you can customise your reading experience: adjust and magnify text, change colour schemes, synchronise text with speech or use the speech settings alone to listen to books.

    My little one uses this at his nursery, as we are encouraging him to read digitally (as there are more resources, titles and books available digitally). Little one seems to be really enjoying reading through this so far, but is early days.

If you know of other gadgets like this, please let me know!

This page is dedicated to the memory of Kathryn Jewitt.
Someone who taught me so much about being a writer and editor. The joy I felt knowing this page would be helpful for someone else was a light at the end of a tunnel. Thank you, Kath.