| New York State Library | Talking Book and Braille Library |
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. 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.
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.
In addition to providing services directly to registered individuals, RFB&D also offers an institutional Membership Program for which a school of college can apply. In this way students can receive the books through their school, which may borrow a certain number of recorded books (depending on membership level) each year. For example, for an annual fee of $350, a school may borrow 25 books per year. Please contact 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 Many titles in their collection will continue to be available on cassette, but by July 2007 RFB&D will cease to distribute 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:
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.
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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.
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Talking Tapes/Textbooks on Tape is a non-profit organization that records, rents and sells textbooks on tape for people who have difficulty reading print material because of learning, physical or visual impairments. Either individual students or schools may apply for the service.
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The Resource Center for the Visually Impaired 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.
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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.
tact:
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.
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Helen Keller Services for the Blind provides braille and large-print textbooks. It serves Nassau and Suffolk counties.
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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.
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