Library for Visually Impaired Goes Online

Vision Australia has released its online catalogue allowing free access to over 26,000 audio books and 300 newspapers and magazines for those with a print disability.

The catalogue is designed for people with a range of print disability and visual impairments.

“You may have a perceptual disability such as dyslexia, or if you have bad arthritis and can’t turn a page – that’s print disability. If I have MS and I can’t focus on the page, that’s a print disability… It’s a broad term, much broader than blind or having low vision” explained National Library Manager Tony Iezzi.

The library allows for members to access content without the need to download the books and the library has been embraced by organisations, including aged care providers.

Mr Iezzi said that having the library online made the material easier to distribute.

“In the old days we didn’t have an online service and we circulated cassettes which cost money… Now instead of sending out 5,000 cassettes, it’s one file that you can download” he said.

He explained that every service undertaken by the organisation costs money, but by moving online they were able to service more people more efficiently.

“Everything costs money… Overwhelmingly it (money) is through public donations and individual donors. Seventy per cent of our income is from public donations, we’re a very large organisation with lots of services” he said.

The online library catalogue can be found here

Library for Visually Impaired Goes Online

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