RNIB’s Personal Transcription Service: What the New Model Means for Blind Users

About this episode

The episode discusses RNIB's changes to its personal transcription service and its implications for blind users.

RNIB’s personal transcription service has been at the heart of accessibility for blind people in the UK for decades. In this episode, we explore RNIB’s final decision on the future of this service, why Braille users campaigned to save it, and what the changes mean for independence and access in 2025. In March of 2025, RNIB quietly changed its personal transcription service, which had long provided Braille, audio, large print, and tactile materials for free or at low cost. The move sparked outcry from the blind community, with campaigner Connor Scott-Gardner launching a petition to reverse the decision. Users highlighted how the service underpinned everyday independence, from accessing wedding invitations and music scores to rare books not available in accessible formats. After months of consultation, RNIB has announced a new model: specialist Braille music transcription will return in-house and remain free, while general transcription will be outsourced to an external provider. In this episode, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece speak with Matthew Horspool, Tim Dixon, and long-time braille user Grace to unpack the decision, examine quality concerns, and consider if this truly reflects…

People in this episode

Hosts: Steven Scott, Shaun Preece

Guests: Matthew Horspool, Tim Dixon, Grace

Topics covered

• accessibility
• Braille transcription
• blind community advocacy
• RNIB service changes
• independence for blind users
• disability rights

Keywords

• RNIB personal transcription service
• Braille transcription UK
• accessible documents for blind people
• disability rights UK
• tactile transcription
• large print transcription UK

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: RNIB

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