Textbooks in Alternative Formats
The Talking Book and Braille Library's collection is similar to that of a public library and includes fiction and non-fiction for all ages. Although our collection includes many books that could be used for literature classes, book reports, research assignments, and recreational reading, we do not have textbooks. Sources for textbooks in alternative formats - recordings, braille and large print - are listed below.
Textbooks on Tape
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) is the largest source of recorded textbooks in the United States. It is a national organization which lends recorded educational books to students and others who cannot read standard print because of a visual, physical or perceptual disability. RFB&D's services are fundamental aids to students at many levels, from 5th grade up through college and graduate school, as well as to adults who use educational books in pursuit of their interests or occupations.
Available Titles: There are currently about 80,000 titles in RFB&D's online
catalog
, and any title not available can be recorded on request. The
books are complete, including oral descriptions of all visually presented
information.
Registration: Registration with RFB&D, including verification of disability,
is a prerequisite for service. There is a $65 registration fee for new individual
applicants, plus a $35 annual membership fee. If the Individualized Educational
Program of a student with a handicapping condition states that he or she
needs recorded textbooks, then the student's school district is required
to make these available. This can be accomplished through an individual
or school registration with RFB&D. For complete information and fees,
please see RFB&D
at
(800)221-4792 for more information about this program.
Important Note About Players: RFB&D does not provide free
cassette or CD players. Since July 2006, all newly produced RFB&D
books have only been available in their new digital format, AudioPlus
CDs. Because of copyright restrictions, these CDs will not play
on a standard CD player. RFB&D does have players available
for purchase by schools and individuals, and details can be found
on their website at www.rfbd.org.
Since July 2007 RFB&D has not distributed any titles in the
cassette format.
Please be aware that CD format materials and CD players are not available from the NYS Talking Book & Braille Library. Check with your local district for further information.
For more information about RFB&D, contact:
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
20 Roszel Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
Phone: (609) 452-0606 or (800)221-4792
Web site: http://www.rfbd.org/
Other Sources of Taped Textbooks
Educational Tape Recording for the Blind is a non-profit, volunteer organization that records and rents textbooks on tape. Their services are available to students of all ages, from elementary to Ph.D. level. There is a yearly membership fee.
Contact:
Educational Tape Recording for the Blind
3915 West 103rd Street
Chicago, IL 60655
Phone: (773) 445-3533
American Printing House for the Blind sells recorded textbooks. They also sell braille and large print texts, as well as other educational products for visually-impaired students.
Contact:
American Printing House for the Blind
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206
Phone: (502) 895-2405 or (800) 223-1839
Web site: http://www.aph.org/index.html
Braille and Large-Print Textbooks
The Outreach Department of the New York State School for the Blind provides braille and large-print textbooks; their collection also includes some literature. They serve students with visual impairments in upstate New York and Long Island schools only.
Contact:
Outreach Department
New York State School for the Blind
2A Richmond Avenue
Batavia, NY 14020-1499
Phone: (585) 343-5384
FAX: ( 585) 343-0652
Web site: http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/nyssb/outreach.html
Educational Vision Services (EVS) serves blind and visually impaired
students age 5 to 21 who live in New York City. It is an organization
within the New York City Dept. of Education, District 75 Citywide
programs. EVS programs provide specialized services, including
textbooks, for blind or visually impaired students. Teachers should
consult the EVS
website for complete information.
Contact:
Educational Vision Services
400 First Avenue
New York, NY 10010
Phone: (917) 256-4259
FAX: (917) 256-4230
e-mail: devs@nycboe.net
Web site: http://schools.nycenet.edu/d75/EVS/default.htm
The American Printing House for the Blind supplies braille and large-print textbooks (elementary through high school) to meet the needs of both mainstreamed students and students attending residential schools for the blind. They also sell some recorded books, as well as other educational products for visually impaired students.
Contact:
American Printing House for the Blind
1839 Frankfort Avenue
P.O. Box 6085
Louisville, KY 40206
Phone: 800)223-1839 or (502)895-2405
Web site: http://www.aph.org/index.html
Helen Keller Services for the Blind provides braille and large-print textbooks. It serves Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Contact:
Helen Keller Services for the Blind
Helen Keller Braille Library
1 Helen Keller Way
Hempstead, NY 11550
Phone: (516)485-1234, ext. 242
Web site: http://www.helenkeller.org/
The Library Reproduction Service sells reproduced textbooks and instructional materials, as well as reference works and fiction, in large print. They provide materials for grades K-12, postsecondary education, GED preparation, adult basic education, literacy programs, and English as a second language. There is a large-print reproduction service for titles not listed in their catalog.
Contact:
Library Reproduction Service
14214 S. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90061
Phone: (800)255-5002 (USA and Canada)
or 1 (310) 354-2610 (from elsewhere)
Web site: http://www.lrs-largeprint.com/
Online catalog: http://www.lrs-largeprint.com/education.html