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Library Services for People with Print Disabilities

California Talking (Audio) and Braille Books

Talking (audio) and braille books by mail, downloadable books and magazines via desktop or mobile app, descriptive videos, audio playback and braille eReader equipment are available for loan — free of charge — to Californians unable to read conventional print due to a visual, physical, or perceptual (reading) disability.

FAQ for Public and Academic Librarians and Library Staff

Service	Application Link
The Braille and Talking Book Library in Sacramento	Apply
The Fresno County Public Talking Book Library for the Blind	Apply
The San Francisco Public Library Talking Books and Braille Center	Apply
The Braille Institute Library in Los Angeles	Apply

See also the Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled website.

Assistive Technology

Accessible computers are available for use at all of California’s NLS Network Libraries. Please contact each library for details about which adaptive hardware and assistive software is available. Computers may be equipped with:

• Screen reader software:
  • Jaws for Windows
  • NVDA
• Screen magnification software:
  • ZoomText
  • Magic
• Optical character recognition (OCR) software for use with flatbed scanners:
  • Open Book
  • Kurzweil
• Braille translation software that allows a user to emboss documents using an attached or networked braille embosser:
  • Duxbury

Assistive technology home loans including accessible, portable audio players, hand-held magnifiers, and WiFi hotspots may be available at California NLS network libraries for eligible patrons. Please contact your designated library in Sacramento, Fresno, San Francisco, or Los Angeles.

Closed-Circuit Magnifiers (CCTVs), various low vision aids, and stand-alone reading machines may also be available for use in these libraries. Please visit or contact any of the following libraries for information about on-site assistive technology.

National Federation of the Blind NEWSLINE®

By dialing local or in some cases a toll-free number over 300 national and local (including 36 California) newspapers, magazines, and journals are now available over any touch-tone telephone via synthetic speech, as well as via web site,mobile app, and Amazon Echo/Alexa device. Individuals who are blind or visually impaired can become eligible for this free service by filling out a simple application. Please contact the library in your area from the above listing.