The National Federation of the Blind and the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Partner to Offer More Choice and Access to Print-Disabled Americans

BALTIMORE, Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NFB-NEWSLINE®, a free audible newspaper service for blind and print-disabled people, and the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress (NLS) today announced the launch of an exciting new access method, the NFB-NEWSLINE® NLS DTB Downloader.  This breakthrough access method will allow subscribers to easily download their favorite publications to the book cartridges used in the new Digital Talking Book (DTB) players provided to patrons by NLS.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), said: "NFB-NEWSLINE® has made groundbreaking advances in the past several years, expanding the number and variety of publications and access methods.  The innovative NFB-NEWSLINE® NLS DTB Downloader is yet another way that this service is increasing its usability for subscribers.  I am very pleased that the NFB and NLS have worked together on this access method for the benefit of the blind and other print-disabled people."

Gerry Moreno, a blind resident of North Carolina, said: "I recently received my new NLS DTB player, and I love downloading books to read on this device.  Because the player is portable and has a built-in speaker, I can listen to my books while doing other tasks around the house.  I'm excited about the new access method as I can now use my player to listen to my favorite magazines and newspapers too."

"The new NLS Digital Talking Book player is now the standard player being released by NLS and allows for unprecedented flexibility in the book-reading experience.  The NFB-NEWSLINE® NLS DTB Downloader provides NFB-NEWSLINE® subscribers with a way to listen to their favorite newspapers and magazines using this player so as to enjoy the portability and excellent audio output it offers," said Frank Kurt Cylke, director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress.  "With this new access method, subscribers download the content in a file format called DAISY III to the cartridges that are inserted into the new NLS digital talking-book player.  I believe that increasing the value of these players through the addition of publication content provided through NFB-NEWSLINE® also increases the value of NLS to its thousands of patrons across the nation."

NFB-NEWSLINE® allows those who cannot read conventional newsprint due to a visual or physical disability to access publications as well as television and job listings over the telephone, on the Web, or by download to digital talking book players or MP3-playing devices.

To learn more about NFB-NEWSLINE®, please visit www.nfbnewsline.org.  Those interested in subscribing to the service may fill out the online application form, write to [email protected], or call (866) 504-7300.  In order to be eligible for NFB-NEWSLINE®, an individual must be a U.S. resident who is legally blind or has a physical or learning disability that prevents the independent reading of newspapers.

About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States.  The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.

About the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, administers the free program that loans recorded and Braille books and magazines, music scores in Braille and large print, and specially designed playback equipment to residents of the United States who are unable to read or use standard print materials because of visual or physical impairment.

NLS administers the program nationally while direct service to eligible individuals and institutions is the responsibility of cooperating libraries in the various states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.  Service is also extended to eligible American citizens residing abroad.  More information about NLS may be found at: http://www.loc.gov/nls/.

SOURCE National Federation of the Blind