Learning from Each other: The Ulverscroft Experience

The Ulverscroft Foundation supports projects which will have a positive effect on the quality of life of visually impaired people (blind and partially sighted) or people with a print disability. Aim of this paper is to show two examples of Ulverscroft/IFLA Best Practice Award and the influence they had on libraries involved, viewed from a few years distance. In 2010, Yasmine Youssef from Bibliotheca Alexandrina had been given the opportunity to go on a one month study visit to DAISY South Africa. The purpose of visit was to work with the organization in assisting and training staff members in three organizations on the production of digital talking books as well as to learn and cooperate with professionals working in the production of accessible material for the print disabled. This study visit has helped develop Bibliotheca Alexandrina's production of accessible titles and services they offer to the print disabled. Through this experience, they were able to share and network with organizations whose vision and aim is to serve and improve services for the print disabled community. In 2012, Jelena Lesaja from the Croatian Library for the Blind spent two weeks at NOTA, Danish National Library for Persons with Print Disabilities. The main purpose of study visit to Nota was to learn what services for the dyslectic users can a library for persons with print disabilities offer, to understand the basics of Danish approach to dyslexia and finally to see if and how can the Croatian Library for the Blind implement some of the ideas and solutions introduced. From a four year distance, Nota experience has introduced a whole new perspective of digital library and its services which inspired (and still inspires) innovative changes at the Croatian Library for the Blind.