Audio Book for the Blind: help to create a vision for those without sight
Tuesday, October 16th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
It is estimated that there are a million adults in the US who are afflicted by blindness. The treatment that these people receive has improved considerably in recent years. In particular, there are many specialist services to aid them in living a more normal and productive life. For example, Louis Braille invented his famous system in 1924 and revolutionised the way in which blind people could read and write. Guide dogs are also trained in order to assist their sightless owners. In fact, shortly after World War I, guide dogs were trained to help those soldiers who had been blinded in the conflict. Zoom forward to today, and an audio book for the blind can be of immense value.
The Emergence of Books for the Blind
1931: US Congress forms The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS).
1950 & 1960s: more legislation to enlarge the program of audio books for the blind.
2007: the number of libraries for the blind has increased from 19 in 1931 to nearly 60 regional and 80 sub-divisional libraries in the US.
How does NLS select which books to record as an audio book for the blind? These texts typically are the same variety that can be borrowed from public libraries. The books selected are considered for recording when they are listed in reliable bibliographies or receive positive reviews in publications that are circulated nationally. The goal of NLS is to provide an audio book for the blind that include classics and reading that informs, in addition to entertaining writings that appeal to readers of all ages. These include the genres of science fiction, romances, mysteries and westerns; and national bestsellers. This wide variety of audio book for the blind is particularly practical for those who have become blind as older adults. At this stage in life, learning Braille becomes extremely challenging.
Professional narrators record audio books in contractors’ studios. Usually, these contractors are non-profit organizations who also produce other products and services for blind people. A smaller number of audio books for the blind are created in volunteer studios. In Washington D.C. the NLS also has a recording studio and uses it to keep up-to-date with modern recording technology.
In short, an audio book for the blind helps those without the gift of sight to enjoy one of life’s simple pleasures, something that sighted people, perhaps, take for granted.
