Articles for the Blind

Articles for the Blind is a service that lets you send items for the blind free of charge, for example books and maps. These letters and parcels for the blind can be sent both within the UK and overseas.

To use the Articles for the Blind service, either the sender or the recipient must be a registered blind person or a partially sighted person with spectacles of N12 or less.

Organisations working for the blind can also use the Articles for the Blind service to send materials that are specially prepared or adapted for the blind.

If you are blind and unable to get to a post box or a Post Office^® branch, Royal Mail can collect your item for free. Call the Royal Mail Customer Service Centre on 08457 223 344* or textphone 08457 223 355 to arrange collection.

You can use this service to send items for the blind such as:

• books and papers either embossed or in large print (minimum font size 16pt)
• relief maps
• devices used to produce tactile information
• letters that are not confidential or sensitive in nature

You can send other things – such as talking books and special CDs – if you ask in advance.

When packaging Articles for the Blind:

1. Clearly write ‘Articles for the Blind’ on the package
2. Include a return address
3. All mail posted with Articles for the Blind is subject to inspection, so:
   • leave the container open
   • use a see-through container
   • or use packaging that is easy to open and re-seal

The only exception is where heavy or fragile items are posted using the service and it is unsafe or impractical to send them unsealed. 

To send a package overseas, mark the outside with ‘ARTICLES FOR THE BLIND: CECOGRAMMES’ and attach a Customs declaration label to the outside of the item. Include your name and address clearly on the outside of the package as well as the address you are sending it to.