Informational Publications

Explore the variety of NLS publications on issues related to blindness, visual impairment, or physical disabilities, as well as compilations of current resources on many topics of interest to NLS patrons and those who provide services to them. Ask a Librarian can help answer questions related to these NLS publication as well as NLS service.

Accessible Materials

Bibles and Other Sacred Writing includes sources of bibles and sacred texts of various religions in a variety of languages and versions.

Calenders page lists organizations, including NLS, that distribute or sell braille and/or large-print calendars

Directory of Producers of Accessible Materials compiles information supplied by organizations, groups, and individuals who produce accessible materials, including audio, braille, and large print, for people who are blind, visually impaired, or cannot easily use printed materials.

Materials in Large Print Reference Guide presents selected sources of large-print materials free from NLS or other organizations for free, loan, or purchase from other organizations.

Aging Adults

Resources for Aging Adults and Their Families is designed to assist adults over the age of 55 with disabilities, as well as their caregivers, in handling new physical, psychological, and financial challenges.

Assistive Technology

Accessible Mobile Reading App describes accessible software applications (apps) for smartphones, which can be used to read books, newspapers, magazines, and other print material, rendering digital text to speech or provide books in audio formats or braille output to a compatible braille device.

Assistive Technology Products for Information Access gathers information about products designed to assist people who have disabilities in accessing printed information. They convert digital text or print into synthetic speech, braille, or enlarged text.

Audio Description Resource Guide provides sources of audio description (that narrates or shares information about key visual elements) for television, film, DVDs, and web-streaming services, as well as information on audio-described live performances and tours.

GPS and Wayfinding Apps offers an overview of the technological solutions for people with disabilities when in transit from one location to another, including mobile applications (apps) for mobile devices that can aid people with visual impairments in finding destinations.

Sources of Assistive Technology compiles information on providers of hardware and software aids, such as screen readers, that allow users with disabilities to interact with and engage with otherwise inaccessible elements of the world around them.

Blindness and Visual Impairment

Blindness and Visual Impairment lists information and assistance organizations that provide direct services to people who are blind or visually impaired, including assistance and advisory services, information and referral services, and counseling and employment programs.

Deafblindness curates resources on topics related to deaf-blindness, book lists on those topics and books about deaf-blindness in the NLS collection, and contact information of the organizations listed in this guide.

Braille

About Braille shares general information about the history of braille, the life of Louis Braille, the braille alphabet, technological advances in braille, and braille educators and producers.

Braille Embossers provides an alphabetical listing of braille embossers, which are similar to ink printers but emboss braille characters onto paper for tactile reading, listing machines for personal use at home, the office, or mass production.

Braille Literacy for Children, Teens, and Adults covers a broad scope of resources for learning braille, and its resources are organization by the age of the prospective learner.

Braille Resources for Transcribers and Teachers of Braille covers resources for braille transcribers and teachers, covering literary braille, music, foreign language, and scientific notations.

Children

Disability Awareness for Children Pre-K through Sixth Grade Ref Guide is a descriptive listing of books, games, and activities that educate children with and without disabilities on disability awareness, people-first language, sign language, and braille. 

Resources for Parents of Blind and Low-Vision Children lists resources for parents of children who are blind or low vision, such as support organizations for parents, sports and athletic organizations for blind and low-vision athletes, as well as federal and state government agencies.

Twenty Books that Promote Disability Awareness for Children Pre-K through Sixth Grade is a descriptive listing of books that educate children with and without disabilities on disability awareness, people-first language, sign language, and braille.

Devices

Currency Reader is a program partnering NLS with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to provide a compact device that announces a cash note’s value in one of three ways: voice, pattern of tones, or pattern of vibrations. Devices are distributed free of charge to eligible individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Digital Audiobook Players provides basic information about NLS free talking book player as well as commercial players that can play NLS materials.

Magnifying Devices Resource Guide contains a brief description of different types of magnifiers, their specifications and functionality, as well as the contact information of the vendors where the devices can be purchased.

Sources of Assistive Technology compiles information on providers of hardware and software aids, such as braille readers, that allow users with disabilities to interact with and engage with otherwise inaccessible elements of the world around them.

Education

Talking Books and Reading Disabilities shares information on eligibility and application process for becoming an NLS patron as well as resources for those with reading disabilities.

Textbooks Reference Guide lists organizations meeting the special academic needs some students might face as they pursue their education.

Transition from School to Independent Living discusses transition programs, assistive technology that students can use to help with living independently, and more. 

Employment

Employment lists national organizations that provide information on a range of issues related to recruiting, hiring, training, and retaining employees with disabilities. 

Recreation and Travel

Accessible Cultural Heritage Institutions for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Washington, DC provides information on free cultural institutions located in Washington, DC, and details the accessible experiences they offer to visitors who are blind or have a visual impairment.

Travel and Recreation for the Visually Impaired and Physically Disabled provides information for people with mobility and sensory disabilities who wish to travel and includes information on accessible lodging, apps and technologies, and accessible sports, museums, cruise lines, and traveling with animals.

Video Gaming Accessibility Reference Guide curates the work and products of individuals and organizations who have taken up the challenge of adapting or modifying games and controllers for people with disabilities.

Safety Awareness

Emergency Preparedness Resource Guide for People with Disabilities provides resources and information for people with visual impairment, blindness, or other physical disabilities who wish to proactively plan for emergencies as well as recovering after one.  

Veterans

Resources for Disabled Veterans lists information and organizations to assist disabled veterans, as well as their families or other caregivers.

Veterans' Benefits minibibliography lists general guides that discuss the needs and challenges facing veterans and their families, provide specific information about programs, and covers the history of those programs.

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