Talking Books, delivered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled at the Library of Congress, are a free resource “[...] for individuals of all ages who have a disability.” Similar to audiobooks, Talking Books are published novels read aloud by voice actors for the benefit of people with vision loss, and they are provided free of charge by the National Library Service, along with any needed technology.
The National Library Service developed the Talking Book program as part of its efforts to provide equitable resources to people with vision disabilities. Since its inception in 1931, its resources have expanded from a limited selection of books available to adults only to the system they have today, which offers a wide variety of resources in multiple formats to anyone with a disability preventing them from reading. Their most used, however, are Talking Books.
On the surface, both audiobooks and Talking Books seem like the same thing. Both have novels and other printed materials read aloud by professionals and require electronic devices to work. There are key differences, however, mainly in overall accessibility, ease of function, and price.
Talking Books are specifically designed for people with vision loss, with one piece of equipment and titles easily requestable. Via the National Library Service’s program, people can get the necessary equipment for free, and choose books over the phone to be mailed to them, also for free.
Audiobooks, however, usually cost money, as does the equipment to use them. Selecting audiobooks is a challenge, as the titles are rarely, if ever, in Braille and the CDs are in numbered order, also without Braille. Physically getting to the library or the bookstore to pick up audiobooks is an additional challenge, especially for people in rural or smaller areas without sufficient public transportation or a suitable ride. Streaming audiobooks online creates other problems, as many of the available websites that house audiobooks do not have effective accessibility functions.
Both audiobooks and Talking Books serve important purposes and are both frequently used, but their differences are what makes the Talking Book program vital to people with vision loss and difficulties.
The Talking Books program was originally created to address the gap in resource accessibility strictly for those individuals with vision loss. Braille, a tactile alphabet, is translatable to many different languages but is not widely available or easily accessible to much of the population with vision-related disabilities. In order to provide equitable access, adjustments were necessary. As time passed and understanding of disabilities and equitable access grew, the criteria to be eligible for the program changed with it. As of 2021, the program is available to “any resident of the United States or American citizen living abroad who is unable to read or use regular print materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations.”
Narrowed down, enrollment and eligibility is available to persons with vision loss, vision difficulties, and any physical or mental impairment that limits or prevents enjoyment of print materials (verified by a competent authority, ie: a doctor, nurse, therapist, etc.). The Talking Books program benefits people with the above-mentioned disabilities significantly, allowing them to enjoy the same things as the general population with obstacles removed.
If you are interested in enrolling in the Talking Books program or know someone who is, please check the requirements here and fill out the application. This program exists to help people, and the Library of Congress and National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled encourage its use.
Accessibility.com is proud of our role in promoting accessibility and equal access while recognizing there is much work to be done. As we welcome a new year in 2022, we have opened registration for AccessibilityPlus 2022, which will feature monthly events dedicated to promoting actionable solutions in implementing accessibility initiatives. Registration is limited. For more information about the conference, speakers, and topics, please visit our AccessibilityPlus registration page.
Registration for our first annual event, Are You Next? Trends in Digital Accessibility Lawsuits, is now available at no cost for Accessibility.com viewers for a limited time.