For some people with a chronic illness/disability audiobooks can be more accessible for a number of reasons.
There are a number of listening libraries available free of charge to those in the UK who need to access audiobooks whether it be because of a visual impairment or a print disability. There are also ones you can subscribe to. I have listed the main listening libraries we have in the UK.
So what is a ‘Print Disability’?
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| My Irlen’s glasses |
A print disability covers a wide range of things.
It could mean you struggle to read print because of a specific learning disability like dyslexia. You could have Irlens Syndrome (also known as Scotopic Sensitivity). Also you don’t have a visual impairment but you struggle to read standard size or written print.
Print disabilities also cover cognitive difficulties with reading such as poor concentration, brain fog and conditions like brain injuries.
They also cover physical difficulties with books too. For example struggling to hold a book or turn a page due to disabilities and conditions like having a Spinal Cord Injuries, MS, arthritis, M.E., MND, Parkinson’s and more.
I also feel that Print Disability’s should include difficulty reading, using and holding e-readers as well.
Listening Books
Listening Books is “an audiobook lending charity for those that find their illness, mental health, physical or learning disability affects their ability to read the printed word or hold a book.”Their books can be accessed through their website or through the Libby audiobook library app.
Magazines and newspapers can also be accessed.
To qualify for Listening Books you must have a disability, illness, learning disability or mental health condition that impacts your ability to read or hold a book.
Membership costs £25 for the year. When you sign up there is a long list of medical conditions and you can select your conditions to be eligible to join.
If there is a title Listening Books doesn’t have that you’d like to listen to you can contact them and if they can buy the book they will add it to the library. This is something that I have done before.
BorrowBox
BorrowBox is a library in one app, from it; from it audiobooks and eBooks can be borrowed.It’s a free service some local libraries now use to allow members to access digital content. You can check with your local library to see if they’re using BorrowBox.
Link to BorrowBox: Find out if your local library is using this service.
RNIB Reading Services
RNIB Reading Services is open only to those who are blind, partially sighted or has a print or physical impairment that prevents them from reading standard print.
Their Reading Service is available in a number of different formats. There is a link between Amazon’s Alexa and RNIB’s talking books. They also offer books in braille and now a new service e-Braille. Books can also be loaned on Daisy CD’s and USB. They also have a library of books through the Dolphin EasyReader app audiobook library.
As well as books magazines and newspapers can also be accessed on audio.
Calibre Audio
Calibre Audio is a “a UK-based charity providing a audiobook lending service for people with a print disability.”
“Who can join… We support anyone unable to see, read, or comprehend printed text due to difficulty or inability. This can include:
- A specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia
- A brain injury or cognitive impairment such as head trauma or stroke
- A visual impairment or blindness
- Physical dexterity problems, such as Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, MND
- Learn more on who can join
For those over 25 the fee is £3 a month or £30 for the year. For those using the USB stick service for books or those under 25 the service is free.
Calibre Audio uses to Dolphin EasyReader app or the Libby app, streaming through their website, USB stick, and through the Synapptic software used by those with visual impairments.
Audible
This is a well known listening library. I often find Audible has titles other listening libraries don’t have and some audiobooks are exclusive to Audible.
There are different subscription levels each with different benefits. You can pay monthly or yearly. Often there are offers to get Audible for free or at a reduced rate. You can also buy more credits to buy books. Sometimes there are 2 for 1 offers too, so you can on selected titles get two books for one credit.
Kindle Unlimited
You don’t need a Kindle to access Kindle Unlimited. You can download the free Kindle app onto your phone or table too (both Apple Store and Android). Kindle Unlimited offers unlimited access to a wide range of ebooks, with quite a wide selection that come with audio which you can listen to via Audible without paying for Audible. You can choose to do a mixture of reading and listening or you can purely listen to the book if you wish.
You do have to pay for Kindle Unlimited but there are often offers such as free trials of the service.
Link to Amazon Unlimited: if you sign in you can view what offers they have available which may include a free trial.
Everand
This listening library has now changed since the last time I used it. It now operates similar to Audible with different levels of membership all at different fees and each with different benefits. I do think this is a bit of a shame as before you just paid one subscription fee and it gave you access to unlimited audiobooks and ebooks. There is however an offer for 30 days free subscription if you wanted to take advantage of Everand for 30 and listen to what they have on offer for that free month.
