Bookstore: On-site sales of books and reports on development themes, published by the World Bank and others, often at big discount prices.

In addition, many brochures, reports and publications, donated by development organizations, are available for free as part of a public information service.

Distance learning programs: VDIC hosts a large classroom, which is connected to the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN), and offers targeted training courses, seminars and global dialogues to development practitioners and policy-makers, using videoconference, the Internet, multimedia, facilitated local discussions and work groups.

Video- and face-to-face conference facilities: The state-of-the-art facilities for two-way and multi-point videoconferencing with simultaneous translation booth are available for hire for development -related activities.

Other facilities:

• Internet access: Six public computer workstations provide free high speed access to the Internet for development-related research. These computers are connected to a printer. In addition, we also provide free WiFi Internet connection for your research on your own laptop.

• Computer workstation with JAWS: JAWS is a software program that enables the computer to ‘talk’. JAWS works by reading out all or parts of the computer screen, including email and the Internet. It can speak out information written in English, German, French and Spanish. It is useful for both visually impaired people and those with an interest in ensuring that their websites are well designed to be accessible and not discriminate against some members of their audience.

JAWS is accompanied with a braille display, which is like a keyboard. This has electronically controlled pins that move up and down, to display a braille version of the characters that appear on the computer screen.

Give JAWS a try! If you would like assistance, ask the VDIC staff.