Outside Sources for Alternative Formats

Non-commercial Sources

Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D) is the world's top producer of textbooks on 4-track cassettes or computer disk for people who can't effectively read standard print. Special collections include science, medicine, environmental issues, law, women's studies, Jewish studies, literature and fiction. They will soon have full-scale distribution of digital audio books. Due to U.S. copyright law, RFB&D cannot register schools and other institutions that do not have an address in the United States, but non-US students and professionals may apply for a Personal Individual Membership. Check with your third-level institution because it may refund you this fee and process your requests.
Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) RNIB is the leading UK charity offering practical support and advice to anyone with a sight problem. They offer over 60 different services for around 2 million people with serious sight problems throughout the country.
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) You can search the accessible web based catalogue to identify what they have in stock. The works from the NLS are then available to Irish citizens through the NCBI but it can take months to receive the requested item.
Revealweb holds a register of UK-based alternative format suppliers, both commercial and non-commercial.

The Talking Newspaper Association of the United Kingdom (TNAUK) is the umbrella organisation for over 500 local Talking Newspaper groups throughout the UK and describes itself as "a newsagent for those unable to read printed matter". The national service offers subscribers a choice of over 200 newspaper and magazine titles, transcribing them onto audio tape, computer disk, e-mail or CD-ROM. Titles include the London Times. The NCBI, Ireland's only newspaper transcription agency is only permitted to serve blind and visually impaired users. TNAUK has no such restrictions, is speedy, and provides reasonable subscription rates for individuals and libraries.

Last Updated: 16-Apr-2004