Sight loss charity, Henshaws, is spearheading a digital revolution for those with visual impairments by shifting some of their services into local libraries in Greater Manchester.
After successfully bidding for access to Manchester Central Library, Henshaws have been given the green light to extend some of their services to other libraries across Greater Manchester. These are: Wigan Library, Tameside Library, Sale Library and Salford Eccles Gateway Library. They are also in special hubs in Bolton and Oldham and share the premises with another charity in Bury.
Henshaws provides access to print texts for visually impaired people using specialist technology, and since the revolution of the internet, smartphones, and tablets, they have been doing the same but for the digital and online space. It’s part of their digital enablement programme. They can give visually impaired people access to magnifers, specialist text-to-speech devices as well as other gadgets and tools.
Henshaws hopes the move of their digital services to libraries will mean more visually impaired people have better access to the online world and will be able to use the digital skills they gain to shop, manage their finances, and find information online. These are all things many sighted people take for granted but are much harder for those living with a visual impairment. Henshaws services help improve confidence and accessibility, enabling people to live more independent lives.
Mark Belcher, Head of Enablement (Community Services) at Henshaws, says: “Many people don’t realise that visual impairment is a spectrum and with a little help many visually impaired people can use technology to enhance their independence.
“Moving some of our services to libraries is a game-changer. It allows visually impaired people better access to help and support and allows Henshaws to offer more to a wider group of people. We hope those with visual impairments will be encouraged by this and will want to come along to see how they can be best supported.”
And Henshaws has already begun skilling up staff in libraries so they know and understand the services visually impaired people may need. Twenty colleagues from libraries across Greater Manchester came together at Manchester Central Library in January to learn how to guide visually impaired people through the services offered at each and so they understand how to better support those who are visually impaired. Simulation glasses were used by staff.
Mark adds: “We hope the day was beneficial to those who attended, and we also hope to provide more staff with the tools and knowledge so they can support those who come into their library and are visually impaired.”
