University of Staffordshire Library has an institutional RNIB Bookshare account which provides students who have a qualifying print disability under The Copyright and Related Rights (Marrakesh Treaty etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 with access to books across that can be read electronically or adapted to suit the personal reading needs of learners.
RNIB Bookshare has over 1 million titles in a range of accessible formats across a wide range of subjects for university study in addition to reading for leisure.
Library staff create RNIB Bookshare accounts for those referred to the service via a Student Inclusion Plan (SIP) indicating that they have a qualifying print disability. Library staff will then contact via email students who have been registered for RNIB Bookshare with their login details and instructions explaining how to use the service.
Qualifying print-disabilities
- Blind and partially sighted
Persons who are blind or who have an impairment of visual function which cannot be improved by the use of corrective lenses, to a level that would normally be acceptable for reading without a special level or kind of light.
- Specific Learning difficulties (SPLD)
Persons who are unable to effectively read print due to Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia or other cognitive impairments such as Autism or ADHD/ADD.
Persons who are unable to, through physical disability, hold or manipulate a book, or who are unable to focus or move their eyes to the extent that would normally be acceptable for reading.
Students who believe that they qualify for using RNIB Bookshare but do not have their information in their SIP should contact the University of Staffordshire Student Advice Team for further guidance.
Books available on RNIB Bookshare
RNIB Bookshare partners with over 1,100 publishers; including well-known names such as Taylor & Francis, Springer Nature, Harper Collins and Penguin Random House. It has over 1 million titles, a number that is increasing all the time.
If the book is not available students can contact the Library who will request it and RNIB Bookshare will do their best to source an electronic file from the publisher.
Accessibility Support
If you have any questions about accessibility support from other departments, please contact the Student Life team via Solve.
