Author Archives: Linda Cerce

In Their Own Voices: Black Authors Narrating Their Own Work

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Authors reading their own works is nothing new. For centuries poetry was passed down through an oral tradition. In the nineteenth century numerous writers—including Charles Dickens and Mark Twain—went on enormously popular lecture tours reading their work. Those written words have survived but not the author’s voice. Today it is easy to hear an author’s voice with so many appearing on social media and television, but there is something very personal about listening to authors read their own words. Being able to sense which parts authors emphasize and which parts they seem to particularly relish can give an added dimension to the work.

This minibibliography features Black authors narrating their own work. The books cover a wide range of subject matter and include memoirs by Maya Angelou, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Lenny Kravitz. Among the children’s books are titles by performers like Lupita Nyong’o and Kevin Hart along with Ruby Bridges’ account of being the first African American child to integrate a Louisiana public school. Among the literary works are poetry by Langston Hughes and Amanda Gorman and fiction by Toni Morrison and Terry McMillan. Political works cover the range from Stacey Abrams to Candace Owens.

All titles in this minibibliography can be requested from your local cooperating library. The digital talking book titles can be downloaded through the NLS BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) website. Contact your local cooperating library to register for BARD. Registered users can also download titles on iOS and Android devices using the BARD Mobile app. To find your local cooperating library, go to www.loc.gov/nls/braille-audio-reading-materials/find-a-local-library or call toll-free 888-NLS-READ (888-657-7323)

Click here for titles in this min-bibliography >>>>>

Inventor Louis Braille touched lives with literacy

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Photo of Louis Braille

Few inventors have had such a positive effect on so many lives as Louis Braille, the remarkable educator, innovator and advocate for the blind.

Braille was born about 20 miles east of Paris in Coupvray, France, on Jan. 4, 1809. As a boy of 3, Louis was playing at his father’s leather workbench with a sharp cobbler’s tool when he poked one of his own eyes, causing severe damage. Like the great American humorist James Thurber, Braille’s other eye became inflamed and he developed sympathetic ophthalmia, whereby both the physical wound to one eye and the “sympathetic” inflammation of the other caused him to completely lose his sight by the age of 5.

At 10, Braille was awarded a scholarship to France’s prestigious, if poorly resourced, Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris. He excelled in his classes and became a wonderfully talented organist and cellist, as well as a kind mentor for the junior students.

Braille first encountered an early predecessor to his tactile writing system in 1821, while he was still an adolescent. Charles Barbier, a former French military officer, had developed a code that soldiers could use to send and read messages in the dark, and he shared his method with the institute. Braille began to adapt the idea into his own refined version, eventually creating his remarkable system of specific, bumpy dot patterns, embossed onto thick pages of paper with each symbol representing a letter in the alphabet, or numbers and other symbols.

In 1829, he published his landmark book, “Method of Writing Words, Music, and Plain Songs by Means of Dots for Use by the Blind and Arranged for Them,” a musical code for blind musicians. He also wrote guides for the blind on mathematics, geometrical figures, maps and musical symbols.

Photo of Louis Braille, Circa 1850
Louis Braille, circa 1850. Photo by Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images

After graduation, Braille was asked to stay at the Royal Institute as an instructor and by 1833 was promoted to professor. But Braille’s system was not formally adopted by the Royal Institute until 1854, two years after Braille died. The system soon became the method of choice among blind French-speakers, and by the 1880s had spread to virtually every school for the blind in the world. Today, Braille remains a major form of communication—not only for book publishing but also on computer terminals, in buildings, and for email, mathematical and scientific notation.

Braille was never the paragon of health. He developed tuberculosis as a young man and, in true consumptive manner, it spread throughout his lungs, making the last 16 years of his life quite difficult. At age 40, he had to retire. He died 170 years ago this week, on Jan. 6 at age 43, and was buried in the Pantheon, along with so many of France’s heroes.

This vanguard teacher offered edification and access to information and creativity to the visually impaired. Braille’s profile has graced postage stamps, medals, and coins, his life story told in books, movies, plays and songs. In a 1952 essay, poet T.S. Eliot reflected that, “Perhaps the most enduring honor to the memory of Louis Braille is the half-conscious honor we pay him by applying his name to the script he invented…. His memory has in this way a security greater than that of the memories of many men more famous in their day.”

Dr. Howard Markel

By — Dr. Howard Markel

Dr. Howard Markel writes a monthly column for the PBS NewsHour, highlighting momentous historical events that continue to shape modern medicine. He is the director of the Center for the History of Medicine and the George E. Wantz Distinguished Professor of the History of Medicine at the University of Michigan and the author of “The Secret of Life: Rosalind Franklin, James Watson, Francis Crick and the Discovery of DNA’s Double Helix” (W.W. Norton, September ’21).

Health 

Navigational Apps for the Blind Could Have a Broader Appeal

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Person holding a walking cane surrounded by point drops on a grid of rectangles and squares

A proliferation of new apps designed to help blind and low vision people could prove useful for everyone.

Person holding a walking cane surrounded by point drops on a grid of rectangles and squares

Nearly every blind person has at least one story of getting lost or disoriented.

Despite the use of walking canes, guide dogs, help from strangers, and popular navigational apps like Google Maps, Clark Rachfal, director of advocacy and governmental affairs for the American Council of the Blind, said losing your way is still a huge issue for many blind and low vision people. Simply hearing directions from an app like “in 500 feet turn right,” often isn’t enough information to guarantee independence and safety.

“We travel our familiar routes because we know the path is accessible and we know our familiar landmarks,” he said.

That may change, though, with the release of new apps specifically designed with pedestrians and accessibility in mind. Thanks to improvements in mapping technology and smartphone cameras, a number have emerged with features like indoor navigation, detailed descriptions of the surrounding environment and more warnings about obstacles.

“We’re still early on — these technologies have just been popping up over the last 10 years,” Mr. Rachfal said. “I think there’s a lot of mainstream potential to providing greater access to transportation and information for people with disabilities and the broader community.”

By Amanda Morris
The New York Times
This article is part of our series on the Future of Transportation, which is exploring innovations and challenges that affect how we move about the world.

Gov. Murphy Declares October is Blindness Awareness Month in New Jersey!

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Logo stating October is Blind Awareness Month

Governor Murphy has made a proclamation, declaring October is Blindness Awareness Month in New Jersey. This time of year we honor and support the work that is being done throughout the state to support over 259,000 New Jersey residents that currently live with blindness or severe vision loss.

The New Jersey State Library Talking Book and Braille Center (TBBC) is proud to partner with the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI), sharing the common goal of promoting and providing dedicated services that facilitate access to opportunities that will enable people with vision loss to live their highest quality of life.

At TBBC, we provide no-cost, home-delivered, accessible reading services in New Jersey as a regional library of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), a division of the U.S. Library of Congress.  We serve NJ residents of all ages (children, teens, adults) who have difficulty reading standard print or holding a book or turning the pages of a book because of blindness, a physical impairment, a reading disability or a vision impairment. To learn more and apply for services, visit the Talking Book & Braille Center website.

 

Governor Murphy proclaims October 2021 as Blind Awareness Month

Accessible Pharmacy Services for the Blind

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Script Talk Machine

Welcome! Accessible Pharmacy Services for the Blind is a comprehensive, home delivery pharmacy service specializing in the needs of the blind and low vision community. We were founded by blind and sighted experts in the areas of accessibility and medicine and we are the only provider of its kind.

What makes us unique is our ability to educate blind patients and family members, healthcare providers and caretakers to implement the best medication plan. Our goal is to achieve the best medical outcomes as well as help patients become more independent.

Our pharmacy professionals are trained to understand the unique needs of those who are blind and low vision. We can offer both high-tech and no-tech solutions to assist with reminders, refills and error reduction and overall medication management. There are no additional fees for this support.

We do everything for you: we will coordinate all of the details with your doctor and insurance provider including helping to keep costs as low as possible. Simply call us for a free consultation to see if we are a good fit for you.

We employ blind, as well as sighted, customer service and sales representatives because we believe that the blind should create solutions for the blind. We encourage our patients to be part of the ongoing process to maximize the solutions.

We also supply: Vitamins & supplements, over-the-counter drugs, insulin, health and beauty aides and small medical equipment.

What are the benefits of using Accessible Pharmacy?

  • A team of blind, low vision and sighted professionals who understand your unique needs.
  • Free Home Delivery and there is no additional fee for the consultations or service.
  • Free accessible packaging and labeling including contracted braille and ScripTalk.
  • Education, service and support from our specialized pharmacy team.
  • High-tech, low-tech and no-tech solutions to help you manage your medication.
  • Eliminate the uncertainty and reduce medication errors.
  • Automated refills

For More Information visit the website >>>>>>

Be My Eyes and Seeing AI: How These Accessibility Apps Benefit the Visually Disabled

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A close up of a female's blue eye

Living in a visually-driven world, we often forget those around us with limited sight or who are entirely blind. A few decades ago, people with visual disabilities had to rely on white canes, guide dogs, and good Samaritans when crossing the street or buying groceries. Although these methods are still effective, more advanced options have become available through technology.

Two such technological advances for the visually impaired are the apps Be My Eyes and Seeing AI ─ both with multiple benefits and functions.

Be My Eyes

This efficient app uses visually abled volunteers to bring sight to the blind and low visioned through live video calls. It has more than 4 million volunteers and is available across the globe in 180 languages.

Download: Be My Eyes for iOS | Android (Free)

How Did Be My Eyes Start?

Be My Eyes was founded by Hans Jorgen Wiberg, a visually disabled Danish man whose blind friend told him he uses video calls to friends and family whenever he needed assistance.

The app was launched for iOS in January 2015, and within 24 hours, it had more than 10,000 users. The Android version followed in October 2017 to rave reviews. Be My Eyes walked away with the Google Play Awards for Most Innovative, Best Daily Helper, and Best Hidden Gem in 2017, as well as the Best Accessibility award in 2018.

Small acts of kindness go a long way to connect the world, and therefore, the app’s primary goal is to give sight to the visually disabled by assisting them with everyday tasks.

How Does Be My Eyes Work for the Visually Impaired?

If you’re blind or have low vision, join the Be My Eyes network by downloading the app and signing up as a blind or low-vision user. The app connects you to a worldwide community of sighted volunteers, all ready and able to assist you whenever you need help. The calls are unlimited ─ all you need is a smartphone and a stable internet connection.

How to Download and Sign Up as a Low Vision User

When you ask for assistance through Be My Eyes, the app notifies the volunteers you’re paired with based on your language preference and location. Be My Eyes will connect you to the first volunteer who answers the request ─ it usually happens within 30 seconds!

The volunteer will get a live video feed from your smartphone’s rear-facing camera. The audio connection allows you to talk to the volunteer and receive help for your task, whether it be to find your wallet or cross the street.

How to Use Be My Eyes as a Low Vision User

In February 2018, Be My Eyes added the Specialized Help feature, which connects you with actual company representatives who can assist you with more subject-specific and technical tasks. The Specialized Help option offers a list of available businesses and which specialized fields they cover.

The connection process works the same as when you request regular assistance.

How Does Be My Eyes Work for Volunteers?

If you’d like to lend a hand to visually impaired people as a Be My Eyes volunteer, simply download the app and sign up as a volunteer. Enter your full name, email address, and password to create an account, choose your location, and select the language(s) in which you can assist. Then wait for the phone to ring!

Smart phone screen displaying the Be My Eyes App requesting a volunteerSmart phone screen displaying how the app looks for a volunteer lending their eyes to assist people with visual impairmentsSmart phone screen displaying how to sign up for the Be My Eyes App

How Does Be My Eyes Benefit People With Visual Impairment?

You can use the app indoors to:

  • Find your lost keys.
  • Match your clothing’s color scheme.
  • Read labels and expiration dates on food items or medication bottles.
  • Find out whether the lights in your home are on or off.
  • Read your electricity meter.
  • Fix computer issues if you don’t have Jaws, Screen Reader, or other talk-back assistance on your computer.
  • Distinguish between several items on a shelf.

Seeing AI

If you’re not keen on talking to strangers, Seeing AI will fit you like a glove. This easy-to-use iOS app acts as your eyes by narrating the world around you in numerous languages, including English, Spanish, Italian, German, Dutch, and Japanese.

Download: Seeing AI for iOS (Free)

How Did Seeing AI Start?

This highly effective app was launched by Microsoft in July 2017. Seeing AI aims to empower people with visual disabilities and give them insight into the world around them by using their smartphones.

Seeing AI was well-received worldwide and won several accessibility awards, including the prestigious Helen Keller Achievement Award from the American Foundation for the Blind in 2018.

How Does Seeing AI Work?

Seeing AI uses the rear camera on your smartphone to identify and narrate the world around you, turning the daily unseen into an audible experience. The app can identify objects, text, and even people. You can use Seeing AI to complete multiple tasks you’re otherwise incapable of doing due to your visual impairment.

Seeing AI: Making the Visual World More Accessible

How Does Seeing AI Benefit You as a Person With a Visual Disability?

You can use the app to:

  • Describe the colors visible through your smartphone’s camera.
  • Recognize bills and currencies when you pay cash.
  • Guide you to capture a printed document and the app will start reading aloud when it recognizes text.
  • Scan and read handwritten text that’s not always accessible via a regular computer scanner.
  • Generate a sound related to the brightness around you.
  • Recognize your friends and describe people’s facial expressions.
  • Help you locate a barcode through beeps and identify the product.
  • Describe your surroundings as you walk down the street or in a shopping mall.

Why Should You Use Be My Eyes and Seeing AI?

Just because you have a visual disability, doesn’t mean you have to always rely on friends and family for guidance or that you should miss out on all the color, glamor, and practical options your surrounding have to offer.

Whether you want the personal touch of having a human aid you in your everyday tasks, or you prefer artificial intelligence to guide your path ─ let technological advances like Be My Eyes and Seeing AI bring light to your life and give you an independence you never thought possible.

Photo of Author Karli Dürr
AUTHOR Karli Dürr