DYSLEXIC, blind and partially-sighted youngsters will no longer be excluded from reading the same books as their classmates thanks to a new literary partnership.

Oxford University Press (OUP) has teamed up with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to ensure as many children as possible are able to read the publisher's books.

It will see OUP's books quickly and easily shared with RNIB through its Bookshare service.

Now, RNIB receives the book in a computer file which it can reproduce in a medium more suitable for dyslexic, blind or partially-sighted young people.

In some cases this might be as simple as sending schools the computer file so they can enlarge the text for some pupils.

OUP UK schools director Claire Varlet-Baker said: "RNIB can provide different formats depending on the child's ability.

"It is about making it accessible and through the RNIB they can adapt the books to make them accessible.

"The whole idea is that we are less reactive and more proactive so it is an easier and better service for the schools."

All books published by OUP, from fiction to classroom textbooks, can be reproduced by RNIB.

The service is completely free and will enable pupils to read the same books as their peers.

Ms Varlet-Baker said: "The aim is to open up the books to as many kids as possible.

"It fits perfectly with the OUP mission.

"We want to make sure every child has access to education.

"The fact the books are the same as what other children have but more accessible.

"Otherwise those children would feel left out."

The new scheme builds on an existing partnership between RNIB and OUP which has seen the publisher provide the charity with UK textbooks since 2012.

Permissions manager Connie Robertson from OUP has been leading the project.

She said: "Working on the Bookshare project has been a fantastic experience.

"Learners who cannot read standard print, including those with dyslexia or who are blind or partially sighted, can now read the same books, at the same time as their classmates."

RNIB works with almost two million people across the UK who are blind or partially-sighted.

Its Bookshare service, previously known as Load2Learn, aims to let pupils not only read the same books as their classmates but read them at the same time rather than having to wait for accessible copies.

RNIB senior manager for children, young people and employment Alison Long said: "We’re delighted that our new agreement with OUP has enabled us to increase the number of their titles on RNIB Bookshare.

"We’ve already helped thousands of students throughout the UK to access books that meet their needs, and OUP’s high quality educational publishing is a fantastic addition."

To sign up to RNIB Bookshare visit load2learn.org