Wisconsin Regional Library

1
Wisconsin Regional Library
1

• For the Blind Physically Handicapped

2
So that All May Read
2

• We have over
• 56,000 books in audio
• 20,000 books in Braille
• 50 magazines for free subscription
• 250 newspapers from across the US

3
And the cost?
3

• Everything is FREE

4
Whos eligible?
4

• Anyone in Wisconsin for whom there is a physical
  barrier to reading standard print.
• This means --

5
Vision Loss
5

• Macular Degeneration
• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Glaucoma
• Cataracts
• Any form of full or partial blindness

6
Cognitive Disabilities
6

• Aphasia
• Brain Injury such as trauma due to an accident or
  stroke
• Reading Disabilities with organic causes

7
Physical Disabilities
7

• Cerebral Palsy
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Paralysis
• Parkinsons
• Stroke
• Any condition permanent or temporary that
  interferes with the ability to hold a book or
  turn the pages.

8
What is vision loss?
8

• In Wisconsin alone, approximately 180,600 people
  over the age of 40 are cut off from the access to
  regular print that the rest of us take for
  granted they cant check sports scores in the
  paper, cant pick up a current magazine, cant
  join in a discussion with their friends about the
  latest best seller.

Photo from the National Eye Institute, National
Institutes of Health
9
Macular Degeneration
9

• Among Wisconsin residents, age 55 and over, the
  OBVI estimates 33,000 are affected by age-related
  macular degeneration.

Photo from the National Eye Institute, National
Institutes of Health
10
Diabetic Retinopathy
10

• 56,000 Wisconsin residents are affected by
  diabetic retinopathy.

Photo from the National Eye Institute, National
Institutes of Health
11
Glaucoma
11

• 30,000 Wisconsin residents are affected by
  glaucoma.

Photo from the National Eye Institute, National
Institutes of Health
12
Cataracts
12

• And a staggering 394,000 Wisconsin residents
  suffer to some degree from cataracts.
• For many, the condition is severe enough to cut
  off access to standard print.

Photo from the National Eye Institute, National
Institutes of Health
13
What is a physical disability?
13

• Definition of Physical Disability
• Wisconsin Statute 15.197 (4) defines a physical
  disability as a physical condition, including an
  anatomical loss or musculoskeletal, neurological,
  respiratory or cardiovascular impairment, which
  results from injury, disease or congenital
  disorder and which significantly interferes with
  or significantly limits at least one of the
  following major life activities of a person
  self-care walking mobility other than walking
  breathing employment performance of manual
  tasks unrelated to employment receptive and
  expressive language education or capacity for
  independent living.

14
Physical Disabilities
14

• According to the 2000 U.S. Census, Wisconsins
  population includes 338,728 people with a
  physical disability. Although this number seems
  large, it is most likely an under-representation
  of people with physical disabilities.

15
More on Physical Disabilities
15

• Parkinsons 180,000 patients a year seek help
  in Wisconsin.
• Serious injuries 1,502 Wisconsin residents were
  hospitalized for a spinal cord injury between
  January 1, 1990, and December 31, 1997.

16
Add it all up
16

• The disabled are the biggest minority in the US
  and the only one that anyone can join at any
  time.
• While a disability can affect any age, any race,
  or any gender, most vision and physical
  disabilities affect seniors.
• Disabilities seldom come one at a time many
  seniors have multiple disabilities
• The Dept. of Health Human Services
  Administration on Aging 2000 Census found 1 in 3
  Wisconsin residents over age 65 have a long term
  disability.
• We need your help to get the word out about our
  services.

17
But wait! We can help!
17

• Everyone knows someone whos affected but
  thats no reason to not enjoy the same rich, full
  life as everyone else.
• Read a John Grisham, or a Harry Potter. Check the
  sports page, or the TV Guide. Join a book club.
• All for free from the library.

18
Do we have anything good?
18
How about
19
Books?
19

• From classics to popular
• Fiction to non-fiction
• Adult to childrens
• 2,000 new titles every year!

20
Magazines?
20

• Over 50 titles in audio and 30 in Braille
• Free subscriptions delivered right to your door.

21
Newspapers?
21

• Over 250 newspapers from across the US and 13
  from Wisconsin
• available from the NFB-NewsLine service, over
  the telephone. Just dial the 1-800 number no
  papers to recycle, no subscription fees to pay!

22
Still not enough?
22

• How about
• Audio-described videos and DVDs?
• Old-time radio shows?
• Kits?
• Downloadable audio books from OverDrive?

23
Plus, Playback Equipment
23

• The Regional Library loans cassette players and a
  wide range of accessories for free.
• (But what about CDs?? Stay tuned more on that
  in a few minutes!)

24
Did we mention it was FREE?
24

• No membership fees
• No charge for books, magazines, newspapers, or
  other materials.
• No charge for equipment loans or repairs.
• Everything is delivered right to your mailbox --
  even the postage is free!

25
NLS Music Services
25

• Another benefit available free to library members
  is the worlds largest collection in accessible
  formats of musical scores, and books about music.
  
• If you love to play an instrument, but the notes
  have gotten too small to see, NLS also loans
  scores in large print and Braille.

26
Accessible Technology
26

• If youre in the Milwaukee area, the library also
  has computers, accessible software, scanners, and
  CCTVs available during open hours for use.

27
How do you sign up?
27

• The application process is very straight-forward
• Address
• Name birth date
• Disability type
• Certifying signature
• NO fees or information about income/assets.

28
About that Certification
28

• For most people, the signature needed will be
  from a healthcare professional familiar with
  their situation. The exception is for individuals
  with reading disabilities. Their application
  requires an M.D. or doctor of osteopathy.

29
Then tell us what you want
29

• Automatic vs. Request Only
• Most people go with automatic selection.
• Choose a half-dozen favorite areas
• Well only use them if youre out of requests.
• List favorite series and authors you would like.

30
What happens next?
30

• About a week after your application is received,
  you will begin receiving materials
• Player packed in a reusable shipping box
• Starter set of catalogs and information
• First shipment of six books

31
How does it work?
31

• Easy to use
• Call in orders, email, mail order forms, or order
  online.
• Let us choose based on your interests.
• Finished with a book? Send it back, well send a
  replacement.
• Cant find what you want? Just ask!

32
Where It All Began
32

• The National Library Service was originally
  founded in 1931 to provide access to books for
  veterans who had lost their sight. A few years
  later, they adopted long-play records for the
  first talking books.

33
And Where Were Going
33

• Skipping over CD technology, in favor of computer
  chips.
• Begin arriving mid-2008.

The Future is Digital!
34
Take a Closer Look
34
35
Good Things in Small Packages
35

• Two-thirds the size
• Two pounds, not seven
• As much as 23 hours battery life, instead of only
  6-8
• And fantastic sound!

36
Cartridges are better!
36

• Same size as a cassette
• Slides easily into player
• Fingertip hole for easy removal
• Just one holds an entire book
• No flipping sides
• Remembers your place

37
When can I get it?
37

• Distribution begins mid-2008.
• Veterans, 102 Club, and students will be first.
  Then customers in good standing.
• Gradual transition as books are converted and
  re-recorded. 18,000 of the 56,000 books will be
  available to begin with.
• Phase out of cassettes to continue until 2012.

38
But I want it NOW!
38

• Victor Reader Stream plays NLS digital talking
  books.

• Download from NLS site.
• Store on SD flash memory.

39
Digital Downloads
39

• Pilot program
• 18,000 books
• 13 magazine titles
• NLS Digital Talking Book player supported
• Victor Reader Stream also supported
• Requires membership through Regional Library and
  https//www.nlstalkingbooks.org/dtb/

40
How to Contact the Library
40

• Phone [phone] in Milwaukee or toll-free
  1-800-242-8822 elsewhere in Wisconsin
• Email lbph_at_milwaukee.gov
• Website http//dpi.wi.gov/rll/wrlbph/
• Online catalog http//wmbph.mpl.org/opac
• Mail or visit Wisconsin Regional Library f/t
  Blind Physically Handicapped, 813 W. Wells St.,
  Milwaukee, WI 53233
• Hours 900 to 500pm, Monday through Friday