Services for people who are blind or partially sighted

The Sensory Unit is based at Whitefield Library & Adult Learning Centre and provides advice, information & leisure activities, plus many additional resources for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or partially sighted, and to their families and professionals working to assist them. The unit is staffed by the Sensory Impairment Officer and the Sensory Impairment Library Assistant both of whom have British Sign Language (BSL) skills and who are able to offer a range of other communication methods.

Staff at the Sensory unit are able to provide 

• Books on CD/tape and MP3 format.
• Information in alternative formats.
• Transcription to Braille & to tape.
• Magnifying equipment.
• Computers with magnification and speech software.
• Print to speech software.
• Confidential reading service.
• Forum for social meetings.

All the other branch libraries make provision for visually impaired people. They stock large print books, books on CD/tape, CCTV magnification equipment and computers with magnification and speech output.

Transcription

We now offer a transcription service for Braille at a cost of £13.50 per hour and can also transcribe in audio to CD or tape for the same price plus £3.00 for each CD or tape produced. For further information please contact us.

Reading group for people who are blind or partially sighted

If you enjoy discussing a good read whether in large print/ on CD/ MP3 or cassette, you may like to join the Reading Group for people who are visually impaired. The group meets on the 4th Monday of the month at 2.00pm in the Sensory Unit at Whitefield Library & Adult Learning Centre. Please contact the Sensory Unit for further information.

One Click Digital electronic audio books

We currently offer our members access to over 900 e-audio titles - that's a lot of books to choose from and we add extra titles to the list every month. Go to our library catalogue by following the e-audio books link in the right hand column, you will find instructions on how to access, download and play free e-audio books. You can download e-audio books to your windows PC, apple device or on to an android mobile telephone.

Please note: At present we are unable to provide access to e-books compatible with Kindle due to restrictions imposed by Amazon but we are continuously monitoring any changes to the provision of e-books.

If you have a visual impairment and are having problems setting up an account or are unable to download e-audio books to a memory stick from One Click Digital, we can help. All you need to do is visit the Sensory Unit at Whitefield Library and Adult Learning Centre, bring your memory stick and let us know which books you would like to download and we will do the rest.

Other services

Eye Talk support sessions (Bury Society for Blind & Partially Sighted People)

• Are your eyes causing you problems as well as your hearing?
• Would you like to meet others with sight problems?
• Do you need information and practical support?
• Our four weekly sessions are led by experienced people who are visually impaired themselves.
• It is an informal and friendly group setting.

Why not book on our next session? Please ring 0161-763-7014 to book. Transport can be provided.

Macular Disease Society Group

Meet on the first Friday of the month from 1.00pm - 3.00pm. The meetings are open to anyone affected by macular disease which can cause central vision loss. Family and friends are welcome.  For further details please contact Margaret on 0161-766-8777.

Sensory Unit opening times

• Monday 9.30am to 1.00pm, 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• Tuesday 9.30am to 1.00pm, 2.00pm to 5.30pm
• Wednesday Closed
• Thursday 9.30pm to 1.00pm  and 1.00pm to 2.30pm (Telephone demonstrations. Please ring to make an appointment)
• Friday 9.30am to 1.00pm, 2.00pm to 5.30pm
• Saturday 10.00am to 1.00pm

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