Library services for disabled people: General information

Introduction

We are committed to providing accessible services to all members of the community. All our libraries are being, or have been, refurbished to improve accessibility. All have friendly and helpful staff, who will do what they can to assist.

On this page you will find details of both the accessibility of our buildings and also of the resources that you can find across our libraries.

All our libraries have:

• Books on prescription.
• Large print books.
• Public access computers with Supernova screen reader.

If there is anything else that you think would be of use, please email bristol.library.service@bristol.gov.uk. Please put 'Disability recommendation' in the subject box. All suggestions will be considered.

Organisations Database

As well as the resources that we have in libraries, we maintain the Organisations Database which you can access from any computer anywhere. It has details of over 900 groups based in and around Bristol and can be searched by name or subject.

To help you we have already created the list of all organisations for disabled people that we have in the database. Alternatively if you want to search for a particular organisation or a specific disability, visit the Organisations Database.

If you know of an organisation that is not on our list, please either complete the online form for new organisations or contact us with the details:

• Organisations Database, Central Library, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TL.
• Tel: 0117 903 7216
• Email: organisations@bristol.gov.uk

Useful websites

General

directgov disabled people pages. Covers a wide range of topics including employment support, financial support, education, legal rights, health, transport and leisure.

Disability Now is the website of Disability Now magazine.

Disability UK is a wide-ranging disability site including large lists of links to UK organisations.

Equality 2025 is a network of disabled people which advises the Westminster Government on how to achieve disability equality. It was set up in December 2006 by the Government in response to a report and is funded by them.

Equality and Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory body established to help eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality, protect human rights and to build good relations. It covers all the 'equalities' groups.

Literature - alternative formats for visually impaired and print disabled people

Calibre is a charitable organisation providing a talking book service on standard cassettes and digital MP3 disk. They have around 8,000 titles.

RNIB: supporting blind and partially sighted people offers three different services - talking books in DAISY format; Braille books; National Library Service, including giant print and Moon books. Follow the links to the individual services from the RNIB home page.

National talking newspapers and magazines provides national newspapers and magazines in audio on tape, CD, DAISY CD and by MP3 download. Also in digital full-text format by email, download and CD-ROM.

Glossary

• Ani-mods is an interactive learning resource in which 3D animated characters tell a story, with varied tasks and a quiz for each user to complete. It is designed for students of average and below average ability, particularly those who are not well motivated to learn.
• Barrington Stoke books are especially written for people with dyslexia. They are 'accessible, enjoyable and unpatronising' and avoid the use of known trip-up words. Originally for children, they now include titles for adults.
• Books on prescription. Run in partnership with Bristol Primary Care Trust this is a scheme for people who have mild to moderate psychological and emotional issues.
• Braille embosser and software. Produces text, including web pages, in Braille, on thicker than normal paper. The software can be set so that the Braille is either a 'like-for-like' translation of what is on the screen, or a 'shorthand' version often preferred by Braille users. Central Library only.
• Braille keyboard. Each key represents one of the dots that make up Braille characters. This allows Braille users to type by pressing combinations of keys to form each letter and number. Central Library only.
• DVDs with subtitles. DVDs with this facility allow you to watch the film with or without the subtitles showing.
• Graphic novels are comic style books, often in full colour. Although not specifically designed for disabled people they can be a useful way for reluctant readers to enjoy books.
• Jaws screen-reader reads information on your screen using synthesized speech. It provides many useful commands that make it easier to use programs, edit documents, and read Web pages. With a refreshable Braille display, it can also provide Braille output in addition to, or instead of, speech. Available from Central Library, Hillfields Library, and Westbury library.
• Large keys keyboard. Set out in a different way to usual, these keyboards have large keys with big letters and numbers on them. Please note, they do not have the right hand side number pad found on a standard keyboard. Designed for use by people with either limited eye sight or limited manual dexterity.
• Large print keyboard. Set out in the standard way, they have ordinary sized keys, but with larger than normal numbers and letters on the keys. Designed for use by people with limited eye sight.
• Magnifying glass. These are for use only within the library and are often kept at the counter, so you may need to ask to use it.
• Makaton uses signs and symbols to teach communication, language and literacy skills to people with communication and learning difficulties.
• Playaway is a modern format for talking books. Disabled people can reserve and hire them free of charge from our libraries. The books are pre-loaded onto lightweight and small players which are easily carried around, like an MP3 player. They need to be listened to with headphones and require on AAA battery to work. You can use your own or they can be bought from the library. Available from Central Library and Henleaze library.
• Quick reads are short, fast paced books by best-selling writers. They are easily readable stories designed for everyone, including adults with limited literacy skills and reluctant readers. They are also perfect for people looking for an introduction to reading or regular readers who want a bite-sized book. 
• Radio/cassette/CD player for Visually Impaired people to use to listen to items before borrowing them from the library. All the buttons have raised characters and are in yellow and black. Comes with headphones.
• Spoken word cassettes and CDs. Also known as talking books. Ranging from full length to abridged (edited) versions of books, all professionally read. They are available as either cassettes and CDs. Disabled people can reserve and hire them free of charge from our libraries.
• SuperNova is a combined screen reader and magnifier with Braille support. It has been developed for all visually impaired users, from low vision to blind. It is available on all the public access computers in our libraries.
• Trackerball mouse. Especially designed for people who would struggle with a conventional mouse. Instead of having to move the mouse around, it remains static and you move the cursor around the screen by rolling the ball on the top.
• Widget-writing is a symbols based communication system for those who would struggle with the written word. A picture conveys a lot of information at once and its focus may be unclear, while a symbol focuses on a single concept. This means that symbols can be put together to build more precise information.

Related services for disabled people pages

Services for disabled people: General information   |   Services for disabled people: Residential, mobile and libraries A to C   |   Services for disabled people: Libraries E to H   |   Services for disabled people: Libraries K to Sh   |   Services for disabled people: Libraries So to W