About Us
Calibre Audio provides a fantastic collection of over 18,000 audiobooks for people living with a print disability in the UK and overseas. Every day we send out 1,500 books to our members.
Who we are
Since 1974, Calibre Audio has brought the joy of audiobooks to anyone struggling to access print, so they can immerse themselves in wonderful stories, memorable biographies or travel the world in their mind.
What we do
In 2023 we sent over 300,000 audiobooks to over 11,000 members across the UK and internationally. We are able to lend to countries that have ratified the Marrakesh Treaty (the 2013 international copyright exceptions for visually impaired and print disabled people).
Why we do it
Everyone has the legal right to equal access to information, yet only 7% of print books are converted to audio, the format needed for many disabled people. For young people, this has serious implications for their ability to learn and develop, and for the elderly, socially isolated, or disadvantaged, coming to terms with the loss of their sight, health and mobility, losing a lifelong love of the written word can be a real blow.
At Calibre, we believe in social inclusion and the wider benefits that reading brings, combating social isolation as well as increasing confidence and independence.
We also campaign with the Right to Read Alliance, the DAISY consortium, and Share the Vision to support equality in disability and end discrimination.
Our Values
Our values are at the heart of who we are and what we do. They are:
We take accountability
We take ownership of our actions and results, fostering a culture of honesty, responsibility, and continuous improvement. Accountability means being transparent, learning from challenges, and honouring our commitments to members, partners, and colleagues to ensure we deliver a high-quality service.
We value community
We build meaningful connections by fostering inclusivity, teamwork, and support. Our community includes colleagues, members, volunteers, and partners, and we strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. We are dedicated to understanding and addressing the needs of our users to make a lasting impact.
We show empathy
We listen, understand, and respond with compassion. Empathy drives us to create services that truly meet the needs of our users and fosters mutual respect within our team. By valuing diverse perspectives, we build a supportive, inclusive environment where everyone feels heard and respected.
We display creativity
We embrace innovation and fresh thinking to improve our services and reach more people. Creativity means challenging norms, exploring new ideas, and staying adaptable in an ever-changing world. Our commitment to innovation ensures we continue delivering exceptional, accessible audiobooks to our community.
We have integrity
We act with honesty, transparency, and ethical responsibility in everything we do. Integrity builds trust with our members and partners, ensuring we consistently meet high standards and stay true to our mission. We believe in doing the right thing, always.
More information
Below, you can download reports that explain the work we do in more detail.
Impact Reports
Annual Reports