About
Digital books are available in a range of different formats. Some formats are more accessible to some people than others. We have divided sources of digital books into three groups. Sometimes you will be able to find a book in the format you need; sometimes you may need to convert it from one digital format into another; and if you can't find it you will have to make your own (see the Making Books page).
There are also some videos on where and how to find books in accessible formats.
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Accessible Book providers | Sources (usually charities and/or statutory services) of books in accessible formats. Sometimes you will need to convert the books into a format more suited to your needs (e.g. from Plain Text) - see the Making Books page. |
| Publishers | Some publishers can provide some titles in digital format - usually PDF. |
| Commercial eBook suppliers | Commercial eBooks are now a serious option for readers who have difficulty with standard print. The accessibility of commercial eBooks varies depending on what format and device or software you use to read them, and on the nature of your print disability, but they are defintely worth a look. Remember that if a commercial eBook version of the book you want exists and is accessible to you, then you are legally obliged to buy a copy, rather than make your own copy by for example scanning from a paper book. If the commercial eBook isn't accessible to you (for example, if it doesn't have satisfactory text to speech) then you don't have to buy it and you can source or make your own in a digital format that is accessible to you. See the Legal Duty page for more about legal issues and copyright. |