Re: National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

[Judi Hirsch <judih@OUSD.K12.CA.US>]

Here's what the application for the California State Library, Braille and
Talking Book Library says:
"The Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL) is a branch of the California
State Library which cooperates with the Library of Congress, National
Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The books and equipment
are provided by the Library of Congress."
the phone number in California is 1-800-952-5666
The history of making this program available to "learning disabled"
identified students is long and winding. In short, they STILL want a DOCTOR
to certify that the applicant (I am now speaking of individual applications,
not institutional ones) has a "learning disability." After years of
discussions with them, I have found ways of completing these applications
and would be happy to share my knowledge of this strange system with anyone
who is interested. Basically, what's going on is that since doctors used to
have to certify blindness and since their fight to get this service took a
long time they are reluctant to make changes.
anyway, I hope this is helpful and would be interested to see if this
service were being used in other states.
there's also a place in New Jersy that provides textbooks on tape (the
former service is for library books) for a small fee--I think it's $35.
lastly, California has a clearinghouse for specialized media and technology
which provides books on tape for students in public schools. A few years ago
I was able to get a new biology textbook (nearly 3" thick and full of
multisyllabic words and such minutiae that would drive any student as far
away as possible from taking an interest in this subject) read onto tapes so
a student of mine could hear it. They were able to get the author's
permission and jump it ahead of many other books on their waiting list. In
fact, if anyone needs these tapes, I still have them.
Judi

----- Original Message -----
From: Gloria Pipkin <gpipkin@I-1.NET>
To: <ARN-L@LISTS.CUA.EDU>
Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2001 10:02 AM
Subject: National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped


> The link below will take you to the National Library Service for the Blind
> and Physically Handicapped (NLS) web site, where you'll find relevant
info,
> including
>     Who is eligible
>     What is available
>     Where libraries are located (by state)
>     How to sign up
>
> http://www.loc.gov/nls/
>
> Gloria
> gpipkin@i-.net
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Judi Hirsch <judih@OUSD.K12.CA.US>
> To: <ARN-L@LISTS.CUA.EDU>
> Sent: Friday, August 03, 2001 3:35 PM
> Subject: Re: Teaching to the whole human being rather than teaching to
> atest.
>
>
> > It's something I've always used for my "learning disabled" kids. Each
one
> of
> > them is entitled to one free tape recorder, and each school or classroom
> is
> > entitled to a few. I believe you can get the forms at your local public
> > library, but I will look in my files and get you the Sacramento phone
> > number.
> > Judi
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Susan Harman <susanharman@IGC.ORG>
> > To: <ARN-L@LISTS.CUA.EDU>
> > Sent: Friday, August 03, 2001 9:54 AM
> > Subject: Re: Teaching to the whole human being rather than teaching to
> > atest.
> >
> >
> > > Judi--
> > > > filling out an institutional request from> the Talking Books section
> of
> > the Library for the Blind, a part of the Library of Congress.
> > > Great info--where to get the request form?
> > > --
> > > Susan
>
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