Fewer Blind Americans Learning Braille

The National Federation of the Blind has released a study that concludes fewer than 10% of blind Americans can read Braille. Furthermore, Braille is being taught to very few blind and visually impaired students, meaning the number of Braille readers is not increasing. NFB says that not teaching Braille, and demanding students rely on technology such as audio books and computer software, is leaving the nation's blind illiterate.

To read the MSN article, please visit the following link:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29882719//

Show Us How You Read!!

Help the Talking Book Center!!

As part of our outreach efforts, staff members frequently give presentations and host booths at fairs and expos. In order to show potential new patrons how Talking Books can benefit them, we would like to show how much our current patrons love their Talking Books. This is where you can help!

Have someone take a picture of you and some aspect of Talking Book services. You could be listening to a book, opening the mailbox to find your books, or searching the "Talking Book Topics" catalog. It could be at home, at school, outside, on vacation, visiting the library.....we would love to get as many different pictures as possible. We will use these pictures to create a display board that we can take with us as we let people know about Talking Books.

Mail pictures to:

Talking Book Center
2025 Baxter St
Athens, GA 30606

You may also email digital pictures to: talkingbooks@athenslibrary.org.

We can't wait to see How You Read!!


Please be aware any picture submitted may be used for marketing in a public setting, and will not be treated as confidential. However, we will not identify patrons by name or give out any information about you. Pictures will not be returned.

AudioVision Ceases VHS Production

An announcement from AudioVision, the Canadian producer of audio described movies and TV:

Dear friends of AudioVision,

Due to low demand and declining availability, AudioVision will no longer offer VHS versions of new described movie titles as of April 1, 2009. We will continue to offer VHS versions of current titles until our existing supplies have been exhausted. All
current and future titles in the AudioVision catalogue will continue to be available on DVD and in audio-only format on AudioCinema CDs. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Sincerely,
John Harris
AudioVision
1-866-297-7623
Movies and TV for those who can't see.