Books for All
Books for All is about learning materials in accessible, alternative formats, for people who have difficulty reading ordinary printed books.
Most people think of Braille and Large Print when they think of alternative formats but in fact there are many more types of accessible textbooks, workbooks, worksheets, assessment and examination papers and other learning resources.
Similarly, it is commonly assumed that the pupils who need alternative formats are blind and partially sighted. In fact, there are many other groups of “print-disabled” pupils who can benefit from learning resources in alternative formats. For example:
- Students who have a physical difficulty with holding books or turning pages can benefit from audio books or materials in a digital format on the computer
- Students with specific learning difficulties, dyslexia, or reading difficulties can read material if it is printed in a larger or different font, or on coloured paper, or displayed on computer. Many pupils with reading difficulties can also access information by listening to audio books, or by having the text read out by a computer
- Students with learning difficulties may benefit from simplified language, books printed in a simpler font or layout, or from books with symbols, or from audio books
- Students with learning difficulties may benefit from simplified language, books printed in a simpler font or layout, or from books with symbols, or from audio books
- Students with hearing impairment may need simplified language, audio books or multimedia resources with signed video
- Non English-speaking students, who might benefit from simplified text, audio books, or digital versions.
