Funding review for audio book service for visually impaired in West Sussex

Funding for a service providing visually impaired people with audio books in West Sussex could be scrapped.
Latest newsLatest news
Latest news

West Sussex County Council currently spends £8,750 a year on the Talking Books service, which is managed by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) and lends audio books to around 175 visually impaired people in the county.

However the uptake of the scheme in West Sussex is set to be reviewed and this could lead to the service being scrapped.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

According to a county council report if a decision is taken to withdraw funding then people still requiring the service would be directed towards alternative options for getting hold of audio books, while any savings would be reinvested in supporting visually impaired residents.

The report reads: “There is anticipated to be little impact as the service is not being withdrawn at this time. Subscriptions will only be terminated where it is determined that the person no longer requires the service.”

Once all West Sussex customers are contacted, those who request continuing support will still be funded for 2015/16.

Any decision to terminate the service would then be the subject of a further review to gauge any likely impact.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Currently customers with eligible social care needs are referred to the Talking Book service with the local authority funding the annual £50 subscription cost.

What do you think of this story? Does someone you know use the service? Comment below or email the newsdesk.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make our website your homepage.

2 Like our Facebook page.

3 Follow us on Twitter.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.