Introduction
Even before the construction and passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which made provisions for individuals with disabilities of all types to have access to places, opportunities and information, the National Library Service (NLS), a part of the Lobrary of Congress System, was offering recorded books and magazines for those with visual and other reading disabilities. Today the program and its many state affilliates provide materials to millions of individuals of all ages, professiona and economic status. There motto "So All May Read", encompasses their mission and goal.
The Texas Talking Book Program - through NLS and the Library of Congress, was established to provide citizens of Texas with visual and reading disabilities with access to books magazines, journals and other printed material in braile and recorded format. I became a member of TTB in the 1990s while at Texas A&M University. At that time all recordings were on 4-track digital tapes. Members receive an audiobook player, on loan from the Library of Congress as well as access to recorded collection books, magazines, journals or other documents. The following web page gives a description of the various types of recorders that are available - including the price, should an individual wish to purchase a unit. http://www.loc.gov/nls/reference/factsheets/audiobkplayers.html.
Recently TTB has launched a massive program to digitize its collection.
As with libraries around the world, the Library of Congress Talking Book Program began thinking about converting its collection to a digital format. The following resources and links are just some of those chroicling the path of this endeavor.
My special thanks to Dina Abramson at Texas Talking Books, who has helped me tremendously with this project and has inspired me to continue improving my skills and eventually pursue a career in library and information science.
Dina Abramson
Disability Information and Referral Coordinator
Talking Book Program/Texas State Library and Archives Commission
800-252-9605
dabramsn@tsl.state.tx.us
I want to reiterate how important and beneficial the Talking Book Program and the RFB&D have been to me. I would never have been able to achieve am MBA nor to now pursue a MLS degree, nor would I have enjoyed "reading" the wide variety of literature that I have. The programs are truly a blessing and I encourage any individual who has a visual or reading disability to become a member and reep the mass of rewards.
Moving Toward Digital
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I will definitely have to read up about this change. I was shocked to see the 4-track tapes the first time I toured my library system's Access Services, but now I'm not sure if the digital format will serve a population with low vision or blindness. Part of the appeal of the 4-track tapes and the accompanying tape players where that they were easy to manipulate and distinguish through touch. I wonder if digital format will be as accessible to users who rely on tactile information. Thanks for the post! I had no idea this was on the horizon.
ReplyDeleteI really think that this program is awesome for the hearing and even seeing impaired. That's one of the subjects I've been talking about in class which is the disabled having user-friendly items in libraries as well, just for them.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a wonderful program. It is great to know that people are out there advocating for people with disabilites.
ReplyDeleteI would assume that the LOC and others would maintain archival copies of these items on tape? I think it is the archival medium of choice.
ReplyDeleteGood selection of resources!
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that audio books are good for the blind. Not quite as sure of the value to dyslexic individuals though, as audio books would reduce the exposure to print. In my experience, overcoming learning/developmental disabilities works best by practicing a lot. However, I don't have any reading difficulties, so I can't speak from personal experience with regard to dyslexia. Is that what you have, Kim?
Thank you for posting these resources… Texas Talking Book site will be a valuable resource to recommend to some health care professionals that I know are caring for people with disabilities and other special needs.
ReplyDeleteGreat topic. It is important for library to accomadate those with disabilities or other special needs. I will be looking at your resources more in depth after things slow down a little. Audio books and resources are good not only for those who are blind, but also those who are dyslexic. One of my friends has a daughter that is dyslexic and she uses audio textbooks to supplement what she reads for class. I am a teacher and I know have had some students who were so severely dyslexic that they only way they could understand what they were reading in the book, was to follow along as they listened to it with the audio book. Great topic all and all.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting about the Talking Book digital project. I am happy to read that the collection is being digitized. This should make it possible for more people with accessibility challenges to have access to books.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great program. I have a friend whose daughtert is dyslexic and she loves getting fooks from Texas Talking Books. Thanks for sharing the information.
ReplyDeleteLiz Nebeker
I don't see why audio material should be just for the vision or reading impaired. I think one can enjoy hearing good reading material perhaps less eye strain, just like listening to music. It's like listening to a story teller. In many ancient civilizations , it was my understanding that people really didn't read as much as they listened to story tellers for example like Homer and Jesus didn't write and published articles , He told stories to an audience.
ReplyDelete