Alice and Zaki’s story
Zaki always struggled to read, until he found audiobooks. Now, nothing can stop him reading and it’s made such a positive impact on this life.
When he was about five, I came across Calibre Audio. At the time, it was just a leaflet—something to look into. But it turned out to be a turning point. Through audiobooks, stories became accessible in a way they hadn’t been before.
Zaki quickly got hooked. He would listen for hours if he could. Stories became part of his everyday life—something he turned to for comfort, entertainment, and curiosity. They helped him unwind, made him laugh, and let his imagination run.
“Zaki gets visually fatigued during the day and needs time away from any visual clutter and chaos to rest and recharge. He loves that he can listen to stories during this time, he says they’re like his friends, keeping him company. ”
Alice, mum of Zaki
Over time, the impact started to show. Being exposed to so many stories, narrator voices, and ideas helped build his vocabulary and confidence with language. He became more expressive, more curious, and more engaged with the world around him.
Having access to a wide range of books, including newer titles, meant he could share in the same stories and conversations as other children. It shifted reading from something that felt difficult to something that felt like it belonged to him.
Zaki also came to see that reading doesn’t have to look one specific way. For him, listening is reading—and it’s opened just as many doors.
In 2023 we took on a fundraising challenge, joining a team to collectively climb the height of Ben Nevis to raise funds for Calibre Audio. It was something he felt very proud of because it was connected to something that had made such a difference in his life and he wanted to spread the word about the positive work the charity does to empower the print disabled community.
Zaki’s journey is a reminder that when children find the format that works for them, everything can change. Stories are still stories—sometimes they just need to be heard rather than seen.
Find out more about Calibre Audio