Accessibility tools and items for loan

Accessible items for loan

Talking books on CD

We have a wide range of talking books on CD in each of our libraries, available for any library member to borrow. These talking books enable people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical, perceptual, or reading disability that prevents them from using regular print materials to engage with books of all genres.

To make it even easier to access these talking books, we have a program where you can apply to access DAISY players. Learn more about how you can access a DAISY player.

Large print books

We also have a range of large print books in each of our four branches. Large-print materials have a type size that is easier to read for individuals with low vision. While most adult books are set in 10- to 12-point type, large-print materials are most commonly available in 16- to 18-point type.

Accessible digital resources

Many of the digital resources you can access with your Darebin Libraries membership have features you can adjust to improve their accessibility.

These include features like adjustable text size, support of text to speech software, keyboard control, closed captions for videos.

Our library team have created resources that explain the adjustable features of some of these online resources.

Download the Digital library accessibility features guide.

We have also prepared some video guides which demonstrate how these accessible features work on some of these online resources.

We are working towards making our Digital Library more accessible.

If you would like to share any experiences or suggestions about the accessibility features we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us or give us a call on 1300 655 355.

DAISY players for people with vision impairment

DAISY Players (Digital Accessible Information System) are the latest technology in digital audio playback devices for people with vision impairment or disability that prevents them from reading print material easily.

These devices have been specifically designed with large, tactile buttons and memory facilities that are not available on standard CD players. They can play talking books, music CD's, MP3 files and audio files stored on USB sticks or SD cards providing high quality digital sound from the built-in speakers or via headphones.

DAISY players are now available to Darebin residents

We have acquired 30 DAISY Players through the ‘Increasing Accessibility Library Initiative' funded by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and administered by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA).

We are pleased to offer residents who have a print disability greater access to our digital collection from talking books to online resources like BorrowBox eAudiobooks.

A person with a print disability is someone who is unable to read standard print with ease due to:

• vision impairment
• an inability to hold or manipulate books or has limited eye movements e.g. severe arthritis, stroke, MS
• a perceptual or learning disability e.g. dyslexia or a visual processing disorder.

How to qualify

To access the DAISY Players @ Darebin program the applicant will need to:

• provide a letter from their health practitioner
• be a member of Darebin Libraries or the Home Library Service
• agree to the terms and conditions of borrowing this technology
• meet the eligibility criteria.

If you are interested in finding out more about DAISY Players @ Darebin or know someone who may benefit from this new technology, please ring Darebin Libraries on 1300 655 355 or fill out the Daisy player form.