[Nfbnet-members-list] 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

[Freeh, Jessica]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<?xml:namespace prefix = o 
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CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org





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, Maryland (December 20, 2010): 
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 <?xml:namespace 
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/>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 
<http://www.nfbnewsline.org/>www.nfbnewsline.org. 
Those interested in subscribing to the service 
may fill out the online application form, write 
to 
<mailto:nfbnewsline at nfb.org>nfbnewsline at nfb.org, 
or call (866) 504-7300.  In order to be eligible 
for NFB-NEWSLINE®, an individual must be a US 
resident who is legally blind or has a physical 
or learning disability that prevents the independent reading of newspapers.





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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/>http://www.loc.gov/nls/.