Resource Recap: Sighted Guide Training for Library Professionals
Category: Blog, News, Professional Development
In collaboration with the CILIP Disability Network, we were delighted to welcome Community Development Officer Heather Valentine from Guide Dogs for an extra-special online learning on Friday 10th February: Community Sighted Guide Training for Library Professionals.
Coming together from every area of the sector across Scotland and beyond, we gained confidence in assisting library patrons living with sight loss in a practical and person-centred way: learning about common eye conditions and the challenges that living with sight loss can come with, simple ways to support people and basic sighted guiding techniques to guide someone with sight loss safely in our library spaces. Find one of the key guiding videos below, with special thanks to Guide Dogs:
A range of additional video resources relevant to libraries are available via the Guide Dogs website, including Navigating Doorways, Going Up and Down Stairs, Buses and Trains, and Guiding Someone to the Toilets.
If you missed this amazing session or would like to share the information with colleagues, you can also sign up to Guide Dogs’ free online Introduction to Sighted Guiding Training webinars, which cover many of the similar themes in a less library-specific way.
If you would like to request training for your library team, please get in touch with Heather who will be happy to help.
Inspired by their belief that a visual impairment should never stop children from knowing the joy of reading, Guide Dogs CustomEyes books are custom made with font size, spacing, colour etc tailored to a child’s individual needs, and cost the same price as the RRP, plus delivery. Libraries can sign up as professional members – membership is free and the cost is per book ordered – so please visit their website to find out more, or read this brilliant blog post by Falkirk Learning Resource Service Librarian Maggie Burns revealing how collaborating with CustomEyes has enhanced their library collections and why #LibrariesAreEssential to inclusive learning.