The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped just released the news that after many years of research and testing, they are finally launching a digital talking-book system. To begin, they will place digital players and books with only 8 libraries which will be evaluating the players, cartridges, and mailing containers in real-use. One of those 8 libraries is the State Library in Salt Lake. Once this evaluation is completed, the manufacturer will start full production of 20,000 players a month for more libraries within the service. These players will replace the large cassette players and cassettes the service has been using for over 30 years.
Library service for the blind and physically handicapped is a wonderful resource. If you know someone who is losing their sight yet still wants the joys of reading, you can sign up for this service, they can pick the types of books they like to read, and they are mailed to them free of charge.
The following persons are eligible for service:
Blind persons whose visual acuity, as determined by competent authority, is 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses, or whose widest diameter of visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees.
Other physically handicapped persons are eligible as follows:
Persons whose visual disability, with correction and regardless of optical measurement, is certified by competent authority as preventing the reading of standard printed material
Persons certified by competent authority as unable to read or unable to use standard printed material as a result of physical limitations.
Persons certified by competent authority as having a reading disability resulting from organic dysfunction and of sufficient severity to prevent their reading printed material in a normal manner.
Blind persons whose visual acuity, as determined by competent authority, is 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses, or whose widest diameter of visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees.
Other physically handicapped persons are eligible as follows:
Persons whose visual disability, with correction and regardless of optical measurement, is certified by competent authority as preventing the reading of standard printed material
Persons certified by competent authority as unable to read or unable to use standard printed material as a result of physical limitations.
Persons certified by competent authority as having a reading disability resulting from organic dysfunction and of sufficient severity to prevent their reading printed material in a normal manner.
Stop by our library to find out more or call 1-800-662-5540 which is the number for the State Library for the Blind.
Susan
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