NALIS welcomes differently – abled persons to all its libraries, in accordance with its mandate to ‘provide a national information service for the benefit of the physically disadvantaged’. Service and access to blind, visually impaired and disabled persons is available at most of NALIS’ service points including the National Library Building. NALIS libraries also have bathroom facilities designed for easy accessibility by wheelchair users.

Non Visual Desktop Access (NDVA), an open source screen reader, is installed on the computers at service points, which have dedicated spaces for visually impaired persons (VIPs). Braillers, braille readers, magnifiers, and scanners are available for use at some service points.

In collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Blind Welfare Association, braille classes are offered at various service points.

Since 2001 NALIS has facilitated training programmes to visually impaired persons (VIPs) which provides them with the opportunity to achieve a level of independence through the use of technology. In 2004, NALIS was named winner of the “Prime Minister’s Innovating for Service Excellence Award – Making a Difference to People – The Social Inclusion Award for Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired person in Society”.

As a further recognition of NALIS’ service to VIPs, the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago by way of Act No. 14 of 2020 amended the Copyright Act ‘to give effect to the Marrakesh Treaty.’ The Act designates NALIS as the sole ‘authorised entity’ in Trinidad and Tobago responsible for producing items in accessible format for persons who are blind, visually impaired and print disabled. Accessible formats include embossed braille, braille ready files (.brf), Electronic Publications (EPub,) MP3, Large print and Daisy Text.

The Marrakesh Treaty is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organisation.

Act No. 14 of 2020
Marrakesh Treaty

Arising out of a Technical Agreement with the World Intellectual Property Organisation, NALIS now has access to the ABC Global Book Service. Persons who are blind, visually impaired and print disabled can download accessible items in various formats for use.

NALIS has converted over fifty (50) local school texts for use by students. Secondary and Primary schools students using EVO – E 10 Daisy Readers distributed by NALIS are able to utilise the converted textbooks. Converted textbooks are also accessible with the use of tablets and other devices once compatible software is installed. Requests for the conversion of accessible items can be submitted to nalisvipbookservice@nalis.gov.tt

NALIS’ general e-resources such as the EBSCOhost database, Flipster magazine portal and OverDrive ebook service are also available to visually impaired patrons.