AT A TECHNICAL SESSION, SIXTY-ONE PARTICIPANTS FROM THE FIELDS OF EDUCATION, INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT, AND AGENCIES OF THE BLIND DISCUSSED RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION AND USE OF READING MACHINES WHICH PERMIT BLIND PERSONS GREATER INDEPENDENCE IN READING THE PRINTED PAGE. THEY ALSO EXPLORED PROBLEMS INHERENT IN THESE EFFORTS AND PROPOSED…

The use of braille as the primary means of achieving literacy among the blind and severely visually impaired has lessened in recent years. Synthetic speech and talking books have taken the place of braille as the primary sources of information. Some reasons for the lack of growth in readership are failure to produce those materials most wanted by…

World-wide in scope, this directory lists organizations producing braille or Talking Books, maintaining braille libraries, and exchanging resources with organizations serving blind or handicapped people. The directory is arranged in seven geographical sections: Africa, Asia, Australia (including Oceania), Europe (including U.S.S.R.), Middle East…

Introduces new technologies that provide instant translation of print materials in three general categories: optical to tactile conversion of print, optical to braille conversion, and optical to speech. Talking books, voice indexing, new braille technologies, print to braille, and optical print enlargement are highlighted. A list of sources is…

This directory lists the names of volunteer groups and individuals who transcribe and record books and other reading materials under the Library of Congress' National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped program. The listing is alphabetical by state. Each entry is assigned an index number and specifies such services as braille…

This overview of the development of a system of library services for the blind in one union republic of the USSR describes the centralized network of special libraries which serve as the focal point of systems providing services at the regional and local levels, and suggests some possible future developments. (RAA)

Outlines the history of the National Library Service (NLS) for the blind and physically handicapped. The nature of the collection and services provided are discussed, including formats available (such as large print, flexible disk, audio cassette, braille); monthly and bimonthly publications announcing available texts; application procedures for…

This circular provides information about travel agencies, travel information centers, and transportation services based on descriptive literature provided by companies and organizations that offer services to handicapped travelers; access guides to specific cities and tourist sites are not included. The first section lists books on travel for the…

This report, which summarizes a series of studies conducted to ascertain the extent to which visually impaired persons use the programs of the Library of Congress National Library Service for the blind and physically handicapped (NLS), presents an overview of findings concerning the size and demographic characteristics of the household target…

Visually impaired students at Ohio State University were queried by telephone interview regarding their need for specialized library services and for optical or reading aids. Interest in special services was indicated, but students did not express substantial need for a varied collection of specialized reading aids. (JAB) (JAB)

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, administers a free national library program of Braille and recorded materials for eligible individuals residing in the United States or for citizens living abroad. Under a special provision of the U.S. copyright law and with the permission of authors…

This bibliography is designed to aid in the selection of literature for visually impaired or physically handicapped students between second and sixth grades. It lists selected fiction books available on disc, on cassette, or in braille in network library collections provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped…

This document is a directory of magazines in special media. It consists of two main parts: (1) an alphabetical listing of magazines produced by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS); and (2) an alphabetical listing of magazines available from other sources. Appended to the second part are addresses of sources…

Describes several programs that were developed by staff at the Cleveland (Ohio) Public Library to be accessible to users with disabilities. Highlights include a Braille reading program; sensory garden; poetry club; book club based on talking books; wheelchair athletics; touching museum artifacts; and a mobile library for users who could not visit…

This publication recounts the childhood experiences of one boy at the Tennessee School for the Blind and his use of braille and talking book library services. It also describes his frustration at the rationing of braille reading materials at the school, and how his enormous appetite for reading material led him to "beat" the school's…