BOOKS
AND PERIODICALS
Though
the RFB&D and NLS Talking
Books listings are powerful assets for those who love to read,
there are many other reading sources for those who are blind
or visually impaired. Like those who do not utilize alternative
format literature, persons who are vision impaired have tremendous
access to books, periodicals, newspapers and journals, or
to whatever type of reading materials that they choose to
investigate. The key is looking. And now, with library assistance
in the form of computer databases, you can go into any library
(including the State Library for the Blind in Salem) and search
out whatever might interest you. The following list reflects
the variety of types of reading materials available. After
reviewing the following headings, go find more reading opportunities
for yourself!
American
Foundation For The Blind (AFB)
AFB
Main Office:
15 W. 16th Street
New York, NY 10011
General Information: (800) 232-5463
AFB Press: (212) 877-2693
www.afb.org
The
AFB is a very large and multifaceted organization, devoted
to positive access, research and publications for persons
with vision impairments. AFB produces many texts related to
blindness, more generic books and a few differing periodicals,
all of which are fantastic in their content and quality. Describing
AFB publications however is nearly impossible, because their
range of topics and styles are ever-changing. Try calling
the AFB Press number above and check their listings, or go
to their website to review their literary resources and publications.
AFB
often assists in the development and funding of research projects,
works in tandem with academicians and institutions of higher
learning, advises national and state legislators, and does
many other things related to improving the lot of persons
with vision impairments. AFB has many regional offices and
may be a good source of information on their related local
areas. (Offices are located in New York, Washington DC, Atlanta,
San Francisco and elsewhere.) AFB also has a few unique services
that many people do not hear about, such as their employment
survey line (web-based) and options that are both permanent
and transitory in nature. AFB has a strong national political
presence and works in many areas of vision impairment. Investigating
their efforts is always interesting.
American
Printing House for the Blind (APH)
P.O.
Box 6085
Louisville, KY 40206
(800) 223-1839
www.aph.org
APH
is the federally-funded nonprofit organization that has the
mandate to provide accessible textbooks for K-12 students
who are legally blind who attend our public schools. APH provides
materials in Braille, large print and audio formats, and they
also provide for sale many other items for blind persons in
addition to textbooks. In the past, APH has produced some
of the best tape players for NLS books and other products
related to reading and education for persons who are blind
or visually impaired. It is best to call them though, as their
library materials and products change rather frequently.
Blind
Skills, Inc.
(Dialog
Magazine)
PO Box 5181
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 581-4224
(800) 860-4224
www.blindskills.com
Dialog
Magazine is specifically written by and published for
blind and vision impaired readers. Over the years, the Blind
Skills periodicals have developed a large number of both young
and older subscribers, though presently only Dialog
is available to subscribers. The magazine is extremely diverse
and has very interesting articles and regular features. Dialog
is published quarterly and the subscription rates are reasonable.
If you have an interest in being published and are blind or
visually impaired, Blind Skills and Dialog may be your
chance! Give them a call for details on submitting an article
or two.
Blind
Skills also produces a taped booklet on vision loss for persons
who are newly adjusting to vision impairment. The booklet
is called, Where Do I Go From Here? The first copy
for those who are legally blind is free, and each additional
copy is $5 per tape. Call, write or e-mail Blind Skills for
copies of the tape, subscription rates or criteria for submitting
your articles.
Dr.
Paul Freeman (author to note)
Office: (412) 359-6300
Fax: (412) 262-9448
Dr.
Freeman is one of the founding fathers of the Low Vision movement
and his book Believing Is Seeing (1997) is an excellent
resource for anyone who is experiencing vision loss due to
age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). The book is inexpensive
and may be ordered by fax or by calling Dr. Freeman's Office
for current sources.
Dr.
Freeman is a very energetic Professor of Ophthalmology at
the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and acts as a consultant
to many institutions of higher learning; he has written countless
articles and many texts in the field of low vision. (If you
have a college bookstore near you and desire looking into
this book or possibly others by Dr. Freeman, check it out
at your nearby academic textbook outlet.) If you have ARMD
and have questions or know of someone who does, find this
gem of a book; it accurately explains the many facets of America's
number one cause of vision loss.
National
Braille Press (NBP)
88
Saint Stephens Street
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 266-6160
The
NBP has many texts, books, and various documents produced
in Grade II Braille for use by readers who prefer this medium.
Their list is extensive and they also accept materials to
be produced in Braille. Call for details and their current
list of texts or materials available.
NLS
List Of Accessible Format Magazines
(800)
424-8567 (option #4)
www.loc.gov/nls
The
National Library Service (NLS) not only has the Braille and
Talking Book Library Program in each state, they also maintain
an information line where you can find information and sources
for periodicals and music specifically for blind and print-impaired
NLS patrons. (Call the information line and press the appropriate
number for tape copies of books and periodicals, music, or
Braille transcription information.) The periodicals list is
large and covers magazines that might surprise you; major
names such as Money, Time, Playboy, Good
Housekeeping, Ebony and National Geographic.
Call for details and formats available; you may also call
the Oregon State Braille
and Talking Book Library to inquire.
Choice
Magazine Listening
(Recordings
For The Blind And Dyslexic)
(516) 883-8280
(888) 724-6423
www.choicemagazinelistening.org
This
free quarterly audio anthology is full of quality selections
from top magazines and other periodicals. Subscribers will
enjoy unabridged fiction, poetry, and articles about 100 magazines
including The New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly, Gourmet, Travel,
Poetry, and many others. All selections are read by talented,
professional narrators. This literary service is completely
free for blind, visually impaired, physically disabled, and
dyslexic listeners and comes on a format used by the National
Library Service.
Seedlings
PO
Box 51924
Livonia, MI 48151-5924
(734) 427-8552
www.seedlings.org
The
books produced by Seedlings provide a unique opportunity for
parents with vision impairments who read Braille and want
to read books to their kids. Books from Seedlings will please
children from preschool age up to 16. The titles come in Grade
II Braille and can be read to children, or they can be read
by young Braille readers for their own pleasure.
The
authors of this List have read many classic nursery rhymes
and tales from Seedlings to their young son and the array
of formerly inaccessible children's stories is sizable. Seedlings
books might be an opportunity for new Braille readers to exercise
their reading ability, and they also prove that even within
the world of vision impairment, many things thought lost are
still out there to enjoy. Contact Seedlings for details and
current listings.
The
Hadley School for the Blind
(800)
323-4238
www.hadley-school.org
The
Hadley School is the oldest and most well known correspondence
school in the country for the blind and visually impaired.
They used to do mostly Braille training via the mail, but
have in the past few years expanded their curricula into a
variety of fields and arts. Call or check the website to find
out what you can learn through Hadley.
Vision
Enhancement Magazine
Vision
Worldwide, Inc.
Patricia Price, Publisher
5707 Brockton Drive #302
Indianapolis, In. 46220-5481
(800) 431-1739
www.visionww.org
Vision
Enhancement magazine has only been published for the past
few years, but it has grown tremendously in popularity through
its diversity of topics, information and products covered.
Persons with low vision are the primary audience, although
professionals in the low vision field are also subscribing
in huge numbers. Patricia Price has been involved in low vision
advocacy for years and has developed quite a number of professional
friendships prior to starting Vision Enhancement. Now
her publication is being read here and in many countries worldwide,
providing solid information about low vision to professionals,
individuals, and companies that are involved in the field.
If
you would like to sample Vision Enhancement magazine,
call Mrs. Price at the toll free number above and enjoy an
informative and warm conversation with her; or check the website
to contact her and get into Vision Enhancement.
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