Children with Special Needs

We provide a range of materials for children with hearing impairment, visual impairment, physical and learning problems and dyslexia.

A special collection based at Macclesfield Library includes tactile books, pop-up and flap books, ‘noisy’ books and action books.

We provide children’s large print books in many libraries, and also giant print books and talking books. A catalogue of talking books is available from all Cheshire East libraries.

Clearvision books (picture books with text overlaid with Braille) allow a sighted child and visually impaired adult (or vice versa) to share a book together. They are kept at Library Headquarters, but may be requested from any library.

Our stock of audio-described videos includes some items for children. They are useful for children with low vision, as the extra sound track describes actions or settings that they may otherwise miss.

We have a Deafness Collection which includes material for children and young people. It includes material for learning British Sign Language, signed books and books about deaf children.

We stock Makaton items. Makaton encourages children to communicate using signs, and then gradually, as a link is made between the word and the sign, the signs are dropped and speech takes over. Makaton also uses symbols to support the written word.

Teachers requiring special needs material should contact the Education Library Service.

Further information and support for parents of children with special educational needs may be available from the Family Information Service or the Parent Partnership.