Library services for people with disabilities
We offer a comprehensive range of services for people who have problems with sight or hearing, or have difficulty in getting to their nearest library.
Many of our resources are available at your local library, or we can get them for you from our Equal Access Library based in Newhaven. Our mobile libraries visit towns and villages around the county.
Disabled access to libraries
Most of our libraries are accessible by wheelchair. Some have limited disabled access – for details see each library's web page. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Each library has a computer with a large screen, keyboard and trackball which you can use free of charge. All our computers have accessibility software to magnify text and read information on screen aloud. Find out how to book on our page about using computers and the Internet in libraries.
Home library service
We run a free home library service for people cannot easily use a library due to disability, frailty or because they are caring for someone who cannot be left.
In some cases a librarian will visit you at home to discuss your needs. A volunteer will then be selected to choose books and bring them to you. Alternatively, someone from a voluntary agency will provide help.
If you would like to help deliver this library service to people in their homes, read about volunteering in libraries.
For people with a visual impairment
We offer:
- large print books
- audio cassette or CDs of books, information and music
- ClearVision books for children – books with Braille and printed text
- audio described films on CD – just the soundtrack of a film, no pictures, with a description about what is happening in the scene. These films can be played in a CD player.
- Talking Book Service – CDs and a player are provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). Application forms are available from libraries and the Sensory Impairment team.
The RNIB library
The RNIB library has over 170,000 items in audio, braille formats, digital text, Moon formats, braille music, print (regular, large and giant sizes), Talking Books and video with audio description. For more details visit the RNIB library website.
For people with a hearing impairment
Some libraries offer:
- DVDs with subtitles
- a hearing loop system
- fax machines.
Please contact your local library for more information.
