National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) is a free library program of braille and audio materials circulated to eligible borrowers in the United States by postage-free mail. The program is a service sponsored by the Library of Congress. People may be eligible for the program if they are blind, have a visual disability that prevents them from reading normal print, or a physical disability that keeps them from being able to hold a book. Persons with a reading disability, such as dyslexia, may also qualify for this free program.[1] Library materials are distributed to regional and subregional libraries and are then circulated to eligible patrons.[2]
Foreign languages
The NLS also has materials for those who are eligible that speak a different language. Audio recordings of magazines, braille books, and audio books materials are available. The collections include German, French, and Spanish materials. These, however, are just some of the foreign language items that are offered. Foreign producers provide the organization with several of these items and the NLS house these collections at the NLS Multistate Center East. Many of the Spanish audio and braille books, though, are produced by MLS themselves. These are among the materials that can be retrieved through Inter Library Loan and by mail. The website for The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped also gives links to other foreign language materials and resources. [3]
History
The NLS was established by an act of Congress in 1931, and was amended in 1934 to include sound recordings (talking books). The program was expanded in 1952 to include blind children, in 1962 to include music materials, and in 1966 to include individuals with physical impairments that prevent the reading of standard print.[4]
The Chafee amendment of 1996 (Chafee)[5] added title 17 United States Code section 121 to the copyright portion of US law; section 121 established specific limitations on the exclusive rights in copyrighted works. The amendment allows authorized entities to reproduce or distribute copies or phonorecords of previously published nondramatic literary works in specialized formats exclusively for use by blind or other persons with disabilities. The definition of authorized entities under Chafee includes any "nonprofit organization or a governmental agency that has a primary mission to provide specialized services relating to training, education, or adaptive reading or information access needs of blind or other persons with disabilities." A "nonprofit organization" is understood to mean an organization that has been granted nonprofit tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The NLS notes that this authority to make or distribute copies may be delegated to "volunteers, special education teachers, and commercial producers."[5]
Limits on access
Confirmation from a "certifying authority" is required to qualify for service with the NLS. In cases of blindness, visual impairment and/or physical limitations Doctors of Medicine (M.D.); Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.); ophthalmologists; optometrists; registered nurses; professional librarians; therapists; and professional staff of hospitals, institutions, and welfare agencies are able to satisfy this requirement.[6]
Blindness and visual impairments
In order to qualify for service through the NLS, blind persons must have vision that is 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses, or whose widest diameter of visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees. Persons may also qualify for services if they are visually impaired and unable to read standard print materials.
Physical limitations
Persons with physical limitations that hinder their ability to read standard print materials also qualify for service with the NLS.[7]
Learning disabilities
Although the definition of learning disabilities may include reading disabilities, dyslexia, problems with spoken language, writing, and reasoning ability, Public Law 89-522 states that NLS materials will be loans to readers that have a "reading disability resulting from organic dysfunction," and requires certification from a medical doctor.[1] An individual whose reading disability is not physically based is not eligible for services.
Foreign access
The NLS is for residents of the United States or American citizens only. Blind individuals in other countries or foreign libraries serving the blind do not have direct borrowing privileges, although some materials may be made available through inter-library loan, when permission from the publisher or author has been obtained.[5]
See also
- Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic)
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
- West German Audio Book Library for the Blind
References
- 1 2 "Eligibility of Blind and Other Physically Handicapped Persons for Loan of Library Materials". Loc.gov. 2013-06-28. Retrieved 2013-07-28.
- ↑ The Library of Congress. National Library Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. "Talking Books and Reading Disabilities." Washington, DC: 1997.
- ↑ MLS.(2013) Foreign Language Materials. Retrieved From: http://www.loc.gov/nls/foreignlanguage/index.html
- ↑ "NLS: That All May Read Frequently Asked Questions". NLS: That All May Read. http://www.loc.gov/nls/. External link in
|publisher=(help) - 1 2 3 "Facts: Copyright Law Amendment, 1996". Loc.gov. Retrieved 2013-07-28.
- ↑ NLS. Eligibility of Blind and Other Physically Handicapped Persons for Loan of Library Materials. That All May Read. http://www.loc.gov/nls/eligible.html
- ↑ "Eligibility of Blind and Other Physically Handicapped Persons for Loan of Library Materials". NLS: That All May Read. National Library Association. 2013-06-28. Retrieved 2014-10-30.