Deutsches Zentrum für barrierefreies Lesen

The Deutsches Zentrum für barrierefreies Lesen stands in Leipzig as a public library for accessible reading. It serves people who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise unable to read standard print. Founded in 1894, it grew from a Leipzig association providing large-print books and employment. A publishing department and printing press soon expanded its work into Braille production. An air raid destroyed its building in 1943, taking more than 30,000 books with it. After the war, the surviving collection began again with about 1,800 volumes, and the library moved into its present building in 1954.

The collection now includes Braille books, DAISY audiobooks, large-print works, Braille music, maps, games, and tactile children’s books. Production also creates museum guides, orientation maps, accessible documents, and specialist music for blind musicians. The DaCapo project develops Braille scores, while MakeBraille converts digital music notation into Braille for private use. A research centre studies barrier-free communication and supports training in accessible media design. Eighteen journals appear in Braille and audio formats, alongside scientific works on visual impairment. One memorable detail is the combination of books and music: reading, research, and musical notation all emerge from the same Leipzig centre.