SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Bus Pass

Applicants are eligible for the Scotland-Wide Free Bus Scheme if they:

1. Have been certified as blind or partially sighted and in consequence are registered as blind or partially sighted in a register maintained by or on behalf of a council constituted under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1994.

Evidence – written evidence from local authority, RNIB, or other registered local Blind Society confirming the applicant is registered as blind or partially sighted on a register maintained by or on behalf of their local authority.

2. Have been refused a driving licence, or had their licence revoked, as they would fail to meet the eyesight standard as defined in section 96(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Evidence – correspondence from the Drivers Medical Branch at DVLA, letter numbers D206, D235, D220 or NS57 stating that the individual has failed to meet the required eyesight standards as defined in Section 96(1) or the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Booktouch

Booktouch is a free pack of books and guidance materials that aims to give a love of books to blind

 and partially sighted children of between 0 to 4 years old.

The booktouch bag contains:

• Two touch and feel books.
• A Booktouch booklet of advice about sharing books with blind and partially sighted children.
• A Booktouch book guide listing lots more great books.
• A leaflet listing useful services related to reading.
• A Bookstart Rhymetime CD and book. 

If you live in Perth and Kinross and would like a Booktouch pack for your child please ask your health visitor or contact bookstart@pkc.gov.uk in Perth and Kinross.

New audiobooks now available at local libraries

Last updated | 05/05/2009

A new batch of audio books will be distributed to every community and mobile library in Perth and Kinross this month.

Additional funds were allocated this year to meet the increasing demand for CD format audio books, which have proved very popular with customers. Originally used mainly by visually impaired readers, audio books are now being enjoyed by more and more people because they fit with their busy lifestyles. Whether it is to listen to stories on a long car journey, while on holiday, or working around the house, audio books let you catch up with your reading on the go.

Choices include many of the latest best sellers by favourite authors, popular biographies, classic literature and radio classics. All titles are unabridged and not available from your local bookshop.

If you are visually impaired, over 60 or receive the housebound service, there are no loan charges. For other library users there is an 80p charge for a three week loan.

If you are not a member of the library yet, it is free to join. Just bring an official form of identification with you that includes your name and current address and you can join straight away.

For more information on your local library service please telephone 01738 444949.