From the latest bestseller to the breaking news, reading is an essential part of everyday life. There are many ways to read when you’re blind or partially sighted.
Large print
In a large-print book, text is printed at a larger-than-usual size. This makes it easier for someone who is partially sighted to read.
Many people who are partially sighted will use a magnifier or vision aid, software program or mobile app to increase printed text to their preferred size.
Audio
Listening to books in audio format is another common way people who are blind or partially sighted read. Audio books are recorded with human or computer voice narration and published on CDs or as audio files that can be downloaded and played on different devices.
The Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) is the international publishing standard when it comes to audio books for people who are blind or partially sighted. In a DAISY book, you can search, bookmark and navigate content in a way that isn’t possible with most mainstream audio books.
Braille
Braille is a system of raised dots that people who are blind can read with their fingers. Braille can be produced in hard copy or electronic formats and can be used to express not only text but also equations, musical notations and more.
Follow this link to learn more about braille.
Learn more
Created by CNIB volunteers for our 100th anniversary, “That All May Read” is an online resource about the past, present and future of blind literacy in Canada. Visit ThatAllMayRead.ca for more information about reading with sight loss.