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WHAT IS A PRINT DISABILITY?

The Chafee Amendment to Copyright law defines qualifying disabilities as those that are organic in nature and have a physical basis that prevents the reading of standard print.

Examples that qualify:

Blind or severe visual impairment (cannot read standard size print)

Cannot hold a book due to physical impairment like cerebral palsy

Severe dyslexia

Examples that do not qualify:

Intellectual disabilities

English as a New Language learners

Disability that makes learning to read difficult, but not impossible

Bookshare.org under Membership, Qualifications tab does a nice job of breaking this down.

PARTNER WITH YOUR SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS & DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGERS (DRM)*Students may already have these services set-up, but you can help

them utilize them

*Certifying Authority

-If the qualifying disability is readily observable, then various fields related to health care, education, or rehabilitation may sign off on applications for services

- If the qualifying disability is a reading disability from organic dysfunction then:

“The signature of a doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy is required by federal regulation on the application to certify not only that a reading disability exists and is serious enough to prevent reading regular printed material in a normal manner, but also that the identified condition has a physical basis. Nonorganic factors-such as emotional or environmental causes, intellectual or educational deficiencies, or other possible nonorganic or nonphysical causes-must be ruled out and cannot be taken into consideration. When certifying applications for service for persons with reading disabilities, certifying medical authorities are encouraged to consult with colleagues in associated disciplines.” http://www.loc.gov/nls/reference/factsheets/readingdisabilities.html

NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE FOR THE BLIND & PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPEDIndiana Talking Book and Braille Library

-provide playback equipment for audio books

- Books are narrated by professional actors

- Provide braille books and braille files (for refreshable braille displays, embossers) that have been proofread for quality

- TBBL also has limited numbers of large print titles

- Free service for all ages

- NLS-BPH http://www.loc.gov/nls/site.html

- Talking Books and Braille Library http://www.in.gov/library/tbbl.htm - applications (individual and institutional)- request physical copies - Summer reading program for kids

BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download)https://nlsbard.loc.gov/cgi-bin/nlsbardprod/index.cgi

- audio books- braille files for refreshable braille displays- free app available for iOS devices, others

in development

WWW.BOOKSHARE.ORG

People of any age who qualify for service through NLS-BPH also qualify for service through Bookshare

Site for downloading audio, braille, and large print files that are formatted for searching and use with specialized equipment (DAISY files- Digital Accessible Information SYstems)

Quantity- many more books available than NLS, but often are scanned so narration is done in a computer voice. Braille files are sometimes not well-proofread in the interest of speed

Free membership for US citizens with qualifying disabilities who are enrolled in school or homeschool and for educational institutions serving those who qualify

Paid annual membership available for US citizens with qualifying disabilities who are out of school and institutions that serve those who qualify for service, International organizations who serve qualified individuals are also eligible for paid membership (fees are on a sliding scale.)

Paid app available

Website is a great source for understanding who qualifies under Chaffee Amendment, how to use the technology, and what to consider for hardware and software

LEARNING ALLY WWW.LEARNINGALLY.ORG Formerly “Recording for the Blind &

Dyslexic (RFB&D)”

Same qualifications needed as NLS and Bookshare

Audio books only, but are searchable via the DAISY file format

Human read books

Paid subscription, free software and apps

HARDWARE & SOFTWARE

Needs vary even when dealing with the same disability

(Braille Institute- VisionSim app demonstrates what people see when they have various common vision problems.)

- in schools, work with the special education teacher or TBLV (Teacher of the Blind and Low Vision) to get the proper equipment and software to serve students with print disabilities

- In public libraries, Vocational Rehabilitation counselors and other entities like BOSMA Enterprises (Indianapolis) may provide help in assessing needs and obtaining equipment and software

- Local chapters of service organizations such as the Lions Club, National Federation of the Blind, and American Council of the Blind can be good sources for support in providing services

The sites featured may ONLY be used by people who have a qualifying disability. It may not be used by other patrons.

Image via “http://blogs.davenportlibrary.com/pr/2009/02/11/roving-reference-debuts-at-dpl/

REMINDER!

QUESTIONS?

Jenny Abbott, MLS, TBLV

Indiana School for the Blind & Visually Impaired

7725 N. College Avenue

Indianapolis, IN 46240

317-253-1481 ext. 174

jabbott@isbvik12.org