Information About Visual Impairments

Foundation Fighting Blindness

http://www.blindness.org/

Provides useful information on the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases.

Lighthouse International

http://www.lighthouse.org
A leading worldwide resource on vision impairment and vision rehabilitation.

National Eye Institute

http://www.nei.nih.gov/
The NEI conducts and supports research that helps prevent and treat eye diseases and vision disorders in order to protect and prolong the vision of the American people.

VisionConnection

http://www.visionconnection.org/VisionConnection/default.htm

Accessible interactive portal for people who are partially sighted or blind, their families, friends, and related professionals, and anyone looking for the latest information on vision impairment, its prevention, and vision rehabilitation.

Services and Products for the Print Impaired

American Printing House for the Blind

http://www.aph.org/about/hist.html

Promotes the independence of blind and visually impaired persons by providing specialized materials, products, and services needed for education and life.

Idaho Commission for the Blind

http://www.icbvi.state.id.us

This organization helps people gain independent living skills by teaching Braille and many life skills. They also sponsor the Radio Reading Service which allows people to hear the Idaho Statesman (in the Boise calling area).

Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind

http://www.isdb.idaho.gov

Various library resources available for both the deaf and blind, including resources suited for parents, students, and teachers.

Lilac Blind Foundation

http://www.lilacblindfoundation.org/

Provides Independent Living programs, computer training, and Braille transcription services for blind and partially sighted people of all ages.

Web Braille Plus

http://www.brailleplus.net

Provides alternate format documents to print-disabled individuals. Turns documents into any alternate format, from hard copy or electronic file.

Sources for Reading Materials

LiLI eAudioBooks Collection (LiLI-ABC)

Users with high speed Internet access can select from more than 2000 titles to download to their computers.  They can then listen to the book on the computer or transfer it to a MP3 player.  Titles cannot be transferred to an iPod.

The collection includes best sellers, books club favorites, and timeless classics, CEV Holy Bible Collection, children's and young adult titles, and the Pimsleur Language Series.

Register to use LiLI-eAudioBooks

Contact the Talking Book Service or your local public library for more information on using eAudioBooks.

National Braille Press

http://www.nbp.org/

An excellent source of Braille materials.

National Library Service

Search the NLS Catalog

Search the catalog of the National Library Service for the Blind and Visually Handicapped for a complete listing of materials available at Talking Book services throughout the country. Contact Idaho Talking Book Service if you would like to read any of the titles in this catalog.

RFB & D (Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic)

http://www.rfbd.org

With a membership they provide textbooks on tape and DVD to students that are blind or dyslexic.

WC3 Web Accessibility Initiative
(Alternative Web Browsing)

http://www.w3.org/WAI/References/Browsing

This collection reflects a wide range of approaches used for browsing the Web.

Catalog Information and Search Tips

Ordering Books On-line

The following are hints that may be helpful when using the OPAC for the first time.

• Anyone may freely browse the ISTBS collection.
• You may search for books in several ways which include author, title, or subject. By clicking on one of these Search Options and selecting Browse Index you will be taken to the beginning of this search. You may type the first few letters of the author’s last name or title and the list of items will begin there. The items are listed alphabetically. You may also view the books you have checked out, view your request list, and find out if any of the books you want are available.
• If you are not sure what the gray buttons mean, place your mouse over the button and a small text box will appear and provide more information.
• When you are ready to order an item, the system will prompt you for your login and password information. To obtain your Login ID Number and your Password just call Idaho State Talking Book Service at the numbers listed at the bottom of this page.
• If you already have a list of RC (Recorded Cassette) numbers you wish to order from us, you may go to the menu on the left and click Place Requests. You will then be asked to log in. You may then list your requests on the screen. Remember to click submit.
• To search for titles listed in Talking Book Topics, enter the Talking Book Topics issue you wish to search in the search for field.  Use the following format:yearmonthT, i.e. 06JAT is the 2006 July/August Talking Book Topics.  Select subject in the search index.

Sample Searches

1. I am looking for a book by Louis L’Amour.
   • In the Search For box, type in the author’s name (last name first name [capital letters are not needed]) l’amour louis.
   • In the Search Index area, select Author Keyword.
   • If you want only a specific media format, such as cassette, in the Search Options area, go to Media and select Cassette.
   • Press Submit Search button and you can view the titles in alphabetical order. If you want more information, click on the title and a full description of the book will appear.
2. I am looking for the book titled “Old Man and the Sea”.
   • In the Search For box, type Old Man and the Sea.
   • In the Search Index area, select Title Keyword.
   • If you want only a specific media format, such as large type, in the Search Options area, go to Media and select Large Type.
   • Click the Submit Search button and you can view the title. Click on the title and full description of the book will appear.
3. I am looking for new titles recently added to the catalog.
   • In the Search For box, type 06JAT
   • In the Search Index area, select Subject
   • Click the Submit Search button and all the titles in the July/August Talking Book Topics will appear in alphabetical order by author

If you have any questions about ordering online,
E-mail: talkingbooks@libraries.idaho.gov or
By Phone: 334-2150
Toll Free: 1-800-458-3271 (in Idaho only)

Talking Book Advisory Committee Advisory Publications

Needs Assessment Report

All documents are in format.

• Cover Page
• Table of Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Needs Assessment Report
• Methodology

for PDF Files