The impact of reading for pleasure on blind and partially sighted adults and its implications for materials provision

This article reports the findings of research commissioned by the Royal National Institute of Blind People to explore the impacts of reading for pleasure on blind and partially sighted adults. Data were collected via interviews, an online survey and six case studies.The results reveal that for 82% of participants reading for pleasure was ‘very important’ especially to relax and 59% of participants read for more than 10 hours a week. Multiple reading formats including traditional hard copy and digital formats were used by 85% of participants. The implications for materials provision and presentation for libraries and charitable organisations are considered in light of the findings.