Since 2010 the Scottish Library and Information Council has worked in partnership with Share the Vision and the Society of Chief Librarians to support the Six Steps Promise.
The scheme is designed to improve public library access for blind and partially sighted people, offering a low-cost but significant contribution in helping to maintain service standards.
There are nearly two million blind and partially sighted people in the UK who need access to public library and information services just like everyone else. Although intended to be used by the public sector, all libraries and information services will find The Six Steps Promise framework useful.
The Promise is written primarily for library staff, but should also be made available to library users.
| The Six Steps | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ensure all blind and partially sighted customers are connected to the most appropriate service for their reading needs using the Six Steps and that they are able to make full use of an accessible public library service. |
| 2 | Use Reading Sight, the free website supporting blind and partially sighted people to access reading and reading services. |
| 3 | Provide local collections of accessible reading materials and information in physical or digital formats, and be able to signpost customers to a wider range of resources. |
| 4 | Plan your digital and physical access strategies in consultation with blind and partially sighted people. |
| 5 | Designate a champion for the reading needs of blind and partially sighted people, who has familiarised themselves with the specialist resources and services available. |
| 6 | Support and promote Make a Noise in Libraries fortnight run annually by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). |
Through adopting the Six Steps libraries can make a significant impact on the services they offer to blind and partially sighted people in their communities.
You can find out more about The Six Steps Promise by reading the Six Steps Guide or download the Six Steps Leaflet, Flyer and Postcard to use in your library. There is also a list of Audio Books Resources which can help you provide a variety of fiction and non-fiction titles.
The RNIB's Knowledge and Resarch Hub also provides a host of information and support tools to help blind and partially sighted people. Their My Voice Survey provides a unique insight into the realities of life as a blind or partially sighted person in the UK today.
