Braille House Becomes First in Australia to Offer Direct Access to Global Accessible Book Service
Braille House has become the first organisation in Australia to offer direct access to the Accessible Books Consortium (ABC) Global Book Service, a major step forward in improving access to reading for people who are blind or have low vision.
This new service gives Braille House Library borrowers the ability to independently browse and download accessible digital books, including digital braille, DAISY, and other alternate formats from a vast international collection, directly to their own devices.
The ABC Global Book Service is a global database of accessible titles, with contributions from organisations around the world working to reduce the book famine for people with print disabilities. The inclusion of Braille House in the supplementary application process now means eligible library borrowers can bypass the need for intermediary support and access content directly.
“We know how important independence and choice are for our borrowers,” said Eva Lo, Librarian at Braille House. “This service opens up a world of reading that’s available on your terms – instantly, and in the format that works best for you. It’s an exciting step forward for accessible library services in Australia.” The expansion aligns with Braille House’s ongoing commitment to evolve alongside technology, ensuring its services remain inclusive and responsive to the needs of its community.
Access to the ABC Global Book Service is free for Braille House Library patrons. To get started, you can either request to join the service directly on the ABC Global Book Service catalogue, or borrowers can contact the library team to register their email address. ABC will then provide a personalised login, allowing users to create a profile and begin downloading directly from the catalogue.
For those interested in exploring the collection before signing up, the catalogue is available to browse here
This service launch is part of Braille House’s broader strategy to increase access, improve user experience, and continue to empower people of all ages who are blind or have low vision through alternative formats.
To learn more about the Braille House library click here or get in touch with the library here