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Talking Books

Background
Recorded materials loaned free (by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress), are available on digital talking-book cartridges. Digital recordings require specially designed playback equipment that is loaned free to eligible individuals and institutions.

Every patron is allowed to have one Digital book machine (either Standard or Advanced).

Your playback equipment comes with both recorded, large print, and Braille instructions. If you have questions regarding the instructions, call your reader advisor. Please keep the box in which your machine arrived. DO NOT THROW AWAY THE BOX OR THE RETURN CARD THAT IS ATTACHED. You may need to return your machine at some point if it breaks.

Recorded books from TBBL will only play on the equipment provided. This special format protects the copyright.

The Playback Equipment

Digital Standard Player
• Plays NLS digital talking books;
• Has eight controls;
• Includes a variable speed control that permits speeding up or slowing down playback speed without changing the pitch;
• Is portable;
• Is equipped with a rechargeable battery and an electrical cord; and
• Includes built-in audio instructions for using the digital machine.

Digital Advanced Player
• Plays NLS digital talking books;
• Has thirteen controls, including a row of controls for setting and retrieving bookmarks and navigating through the structured levels of a book;
• Includes a variable speed control that permits speeding up or slowing down playback speed without changing the pitch;
• Is portable;
• Is equipped with a rechargeable battery and an electrical cord; and
• Includes built-in audio instructions for using the digital player.

Additional Information:

Bookshelf
Braille and Audio Reading Download (Bard)
Computer Expertise
Digital Talking Books
NLS Type Digital Cartridge
Returning Your Machine
Standard USB Flash Drives

TBBL Disaster Information

E-mail Print

 

OCDD - Emergency Preparedness Information

https://ldh.la.gov/page/4304

The Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities is part of the Louisiana Department of Health. They recognize that people with disabilities may need special assistance in preparing for the event or during their stay in an emergency shelter. The information and resources on this web page are intended to provide guidance during emergency situations.

 

Disaster Resources - Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council

https://laddc.org/resources/disaster-resources/

 

Resources for Emergency Preparedness by National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled

https://www.loc.gov/nls/resources/general-resources-on-disabilities/emergency-preparedness/

This emergency preparedness reference guide provides resources and information for people with visual impairment, blindness, or other physical disabilities who wish to proactively plan for emergencies as well as recovering after one. The first section, Resources for Emergency Preparedness, provides tools for people to use during an array of emergencies, as well as information on temporary housing and aids for recovery after an emergency. This guide concludes with a bibliography that provides suggestions for further reading.

 

COVID-19

 

COVID-19 Accessible Resources

https://cidi.gatech.edu/covid

The Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (CIDI), has created COVID-19 resources in alternative formats based upon CDC's guidance. Here are the titles for six of 15 documents available: (1) Symptoms of Coronavirus; (2) Test for Current Infection; (3) How to Safely Wear and Take Off a Mask; (4) What You Should Know About COVID-19 to Protect Yourself and Others;  (5) Information for People with Disabilities; (6) Guidance for Handlers of Service and Therapy Animals.

 

COVID-19 BRAILLE Resources

https://cidi.gatech.edu/covid/braille/request

To order free BRAILLE format COVID-19 resources created by the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (CIDI), visit this page.

 

COVID-19 - Accessible Word Documents and PDFs

https://cidi.gatech.edu/covid/accessible

CIDI has also created a special web page with their COVID-19 resources designed for users accessing the web with screen readers or other assistive technology.

 

 

Emergency weather alerts and 7-day forecasts

NFB-NEWSLINE

https://nfb.org/nfbnewsline#Weather

 

NFPA's Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide for People with Disabilities

http://www.nfpa.org/evacuationguide

 

Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and Other Special Needs

American Red Cross

http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4240199_A4497.pdf

 

Fire safety outreach materials for people with disabilities

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/disabilities.html

 

Emergency Preparedness and People who are Blind and Visually Impaired

http://www.njcounciloftheblind.org/brochures/emergency_preparedness_and_people_who_are_blind_and_visually_impaired.htm

 

8 Tips for Hurricane Preparedness if You’re Blind

https://brailleworks.com/8-tips-for-hurricane-preparedness-if-youre-blind/

 

Disaster Safety for People with Disabilities

http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/disaster-safety-for-people-with-disabilities

 

Disaster Ready - Individuals with Disabilities

https://www.ready.gov/individuals-access-functional-needs

 

FEMA - accessible emergency management

https://www.fema.gov/disability

 

Kidney Community Emergency Response - KCER

http://kcercoalition.com/

The KCER Coalition provides technical assistance to End Stage Renal Disease Networks, kidney organizations, people on dialysis, and other groups to ensure timely and efficient disaster preparedness, response, and recovery for the kidney community. KCER HOTLINE 866.901.3773

 

Preparing for emergencies for people on dialysis

http://www.kcercoalition.com/en/resources/patient-resources/emergency-preparedness/

 

Other Emergency Assistance Links

 

Additional Information

 

 

Playback Equipment

Digital Standard Player

  • Plays NLS digital talking books;
  • Has eight controls;
  • Includes a variable speed control that permits speeding up or slowing down playback speed without changing the pitch;
  • Is portable;
  • Is equipped with a rechargeable battery and an electrical cord; and
  • Includes built-in audio instructions for using the digital machine.

Digital Advanced Player

  • Plays NLS digital talking books;
  • Has thirteen controls, including a row of controls for setting and retrieving bookmarks and navigating through the structured levels of a book;
  • Includes a variable speed control that permits speeding up or slowing down playback speed without changing the pitch;
  • Is portable;
  • Is equipped with a rechargeable battery and an electrical cord; and
  • Includes built-in audio instructions for using the digital player.
For additional information about playback machines, their use, maintenance or repair contact the us at (225) 342-4942 or toll free at (800) 543-4702.
 

Background

Recorded materials loaned free (by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress), are available on digital talking book cartridges and audiocassettes. Both digital and cassette recordings require specially designed playback equipment that is loaned free to eligible individuals and institutions.

Every patron is allowed to have one Digital Talking Book Machine (either a Standard or an Advanced model).

Please keep the box in which your machine arrived. DO NOT THROW AWAY THE BOX OR THE RETURN CARD THAT IS ATTACHED. You may need to return your machine at some point if it malfunctions. All playback equipment comes with recorded, large print, and Braille instructions. If you have questions regarding the instructions, please contact your reader advisor.

 

Bookshelf

E-mail Print

You can store more than one book on the same storage device (such as a USB flash drive) but if you are using the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped’s Digital Talking Book Machine to play downloads, you must have a software update to use the Bookshelf feature to move between books. You can obtain the latest update at NLS DTBM Firmware if it is not already on your DTBM. With this update, you can access the Bookshelf feature on NLS’s DTBM by pressing and holding the Play/Stop key until it says “Bookshelf,” then using the FF and RW keys to move forward and backward between titles. When you reach the title you want, press “Play.” For commercially bought machines, check your machine’s documentation.

 
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