Library special needs

Maidstone Library works closely with organisations for disabled people and specific user groups to ensure its services are accessible to all.

People with a physical disability

Improvements have been made to many of the libraries in Kent to give better access for disabled people, and more are being planned. Kent County Council also provides services for homebound users.

People who are deaf or hearing impaired

Induction loops are fitted in a number of libraries and archives centres to help hearing-aid users. Most are provided at enquiry desks, but some library galleries also provide a looped room.

Collections of books and videos for adults and children about deafness and hearing loss are available at the Maidstone and Canterbury Hi Centres, where they can be used or borrowed.

People who are visually impaired

Large print books are available in all static and mobile libraries. Many also have audio books and the loan charge is waived for blind and partially sighted people.

A free postal service of spoken word cassettes and CDs is available to blind and partially sighted adults and young people. Applicants will be accepted on receipt of a recommendation from the Kent Association for the Blind (KAB) or a letter from a doctor or ophthalmologist. You may borrow up to four books at a time for two months.

Basic information about joining a Kent library is available at all libraries in large print and Braille. Other Libraries and Archives information can be made available as large print, Braille audio or computer files on request.

For more details call Open Access on 01622 605243 or email openaccess@kent.gov.uk.

People with learning disabilities

A selection of books for adults with learning disabilities can be found in the main town centre libraries. Collections include:

• Books Beyond Words - a series of picture books for people who prefer pictures to words, making it easier for them to understand difficult topics such as illness, death and bullying, and
• Bag Books - multi-sensory stories for people with profound learning disabilities which are available across the county.

Public Computers

All our public computers now have AbilityNet software which includes the following facilities:

• a virtual magnifying glass
• Vu Bar helps individuals who find it difficult to read large amounts of text and would benefit from reading one line at a time
• RapidSet benefits individuals who prefer to use an alternative font and background colour to the Windows default
• DSpeech (portable text-to-speech and text-to-MP3 converter) for individuals who find it helpful to listen to text
• Power Reader helps individuals who have poor literacy skills or slow reading speeds
• Sonar provides an expanded ring around the mouse pointer for users who have difficulty locating the pointer.

For further details about the any of the above please call Maidstone Library on 01622 752344