What is the Accessible Copies service? 

The Accessible Copies service provides library content in alternative, accessible formats to meet any additional needs as specified and requested by students and staff members at Royal Holloway. This service seeks to eliminate as far as possible any barriers to using library content that may arise due to a person’s additional needs or neurodiversity.   

We provide accessible copies through three principal services: 

1.  RNIB Bookshare Registration – A catalogue of accessible electronic books provided by the Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB).

2. Reading list check –  All Essential items on a nominated reading list are checked and provided in the specified accessible format. 

3. Item Request –  Provision of any specified item in an accessible format. 

Who can request an accessible copy? 

 Any student or staff member at Royal Holloway who has a relevant additional need is entitled to use the service. Service users do not need to have registered their disability with the University or with the Disability and Neurodiversity team. However, those who are registered will usually have use of the Accessible Copies service as part of their disability adjustment plan. 

How do I request an accessible copy? 

You can place a request for any of the Accessible Copies services via the request form 

What formats can we provide? 

We will normally provide accessible copies of materials in either PDF or Word. You can specify which format you prefer when you make your request. We may occasionally provide materials in other formats when they are supplied by publishers. Books uploaded to RNIB Bookshare may also be downloaded in a variety of formats depending on the available files. 

How long will it take for an accessible copy to arrive? 

 The time it takes for a request to be completed will vary, however we aim to fulfil the requests within the following timeframes: 

1. RNIB Bookshare registration: Up to 5 working days.  

2. Reading list check: Up to 10 working days to check the list for eligible items. Provision of accessible copies will then take up to 70 working days. 

3. Item request: Up to 70 working days. 

 We anticipate that most requests will be fulfilled well within the target time. If a delay is anticipated, you will be notified via email with updates on expected delivery times. 

How do I get in touch with the Accessible Copies service? 

To get in touch with any queries, please email LibraryAccessibility@rhul.ac.uk  

‘Difficult to supply’ requests 

 Some complex requests may not be possible or take longer to supply due to several factors:   

• If the request is for a ‘difficult to supply’ resource type e.g., audio or video materials 

• If the request is for a ‘difficult to supply’ format type e.g., Braille 

• If the requested item can only be provided by scanning and has a large proportion of illustrations that require manual description or non-standard text (more than one illustration per 20 pages). 

• The request is for an item which can only be provided by scanning and is over 500 pages. 

If we think your request falls into one of these categories, we will contact you to discuss how long the request may take, or what alternatives are available. Further details can be found in the service description document below. 

Our full-service description document 

 For further information you can view our Service description for Accessible Copies document