The Library Initiative

The Increasing Accessibility Library Update

The Library Initiative aims to improve access for people with print disability to print material in a digital format through public libraries around the country. The Initiative has been funded by the Australian Government and supported by the Department of Families and Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, has provided great support and has managed to visit a number of libraries to show that support.

We sincerely thank Senator McLucas and departmental staff for the support they provided to ALIA in the implementation of the Initiative.

The Initiative provides playback devices to public libraries to be used by people with print disability in the local community.

The playback devices are uploaded with print material such as newspapers or books chosen from the vast range available in digital format from public libraries. This may include access to print material from libraries of organisations that support people with print disability.

We have to date provided 967 Digital Audio devices to public libraries around Australia. The final shipment of devices in October will bring that total to 1259.

The Initiative has distributed devices to over 175 public library service points around Australia.

Feedback from libraries about the program has been very positive. Libraries have been advising us that their clients are finding the devices simple to use and love the increased access to books and information that these devices are providing them.

We are looking forward to being able share some of these success stories as they arrive in the coming months.

ALIA is extremely proud to be working with FaHCSIA to bring this Initiative to Australians through the network of public libraries.

Please regularly visit this page to keep up with any Frequently Asked Questions that arise.

Additional information about the Initiative can be found on the FaHCSIA website at http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/disability/progserv/govtint/ndsi/Pages/library_inititative.aspx