Children who are blind and read through the use of braille have more difficulty in accessing reading materials. While there are free loan programs, acquiring items through them takes time and forethought. It is not as simple as walking into the local public library and browsing through the shelves.
By the same token, wandering around the local bookstore will not offer any options. Several organizations, though, specialize in making texts available to readers of varying ages. The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults is one of the organizations that does this.
The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults (AAF) was first known as the American Brotherhood for the Blind and has been in existence since 1919. This organization is a nonprofit. (The board members are all blind, and they do not receive payment for their services to the organization.) The AAF welcomes donations to allow it to pursue its mission of assisting children and adults who are blind.
Free Books for Children Who are Blind
Each year several popular children’s titles are made available in braille. Children may keep the books as long as they please. They are also welcome to keep them permanently if they are interested in doing so. A list of available titles can be found on the organization’s website.
Free Braille Calendars
Calendars in a braille format are available free of charge from this organization. Orders are taken via snail mail, fax, or email.
Free Weekly Braille Newspaper
For tweens, teens, and adults, the American Action Fund makes a newspaper available free of charge. Interested families should submit information for delivery through the organization’s website.
Other organizations also offer reading materials for children and teens who use braille or large print. Seedlings Braille Books for Children offer free books. Every year this company has an offer of free books. This year the company’s 2009 Book Angel Program is offering TWO free books per child. In order to receive the books a child must be registered online. Children are asked to select four “wish” books from the company’s online catalog. Two of the books will be sent to the child free of charge.
For many years, families and schools have used the services of a book loan program called The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS). It is affiliated with the Library of Congress and offers materials on a loan basis. Some materials available through this program are in braille or large print. Others are on specially formats audiobooks that can be played at varying speeds to accommodate the reader-listener’s needs.
The winter months are a great time to build recreational reading habits. A visual impairment does not have to leave a child out of the loop. Using these well-established programs can open the door to reading.
Lynn Moore - Moore is a freelance writer, experienced special education teacher, and mother of two. She has worked as a developmental therapist for ...
