[nfbwatlk] Fw: National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped Appropriation

[Mike Freeman]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Mike Freeman
To: Burgess, Jami
Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 9:32 PM
Subject: National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped 
Appropriation


Dear Jami:

It is my understanding that tomorrow, June 12, the full House 
Appropriations Committee will take up that portion of the Legislative 
Branch Appropriations Bill dealing with the Library of Congress and, 
more specifically, its National Library Service for the Blind and 
Physically Handicapped (NLS). Since 1931, NLS has been the main provider 
of books for the blind in the United States, providing books in braille 
and via audio -- at first on records and then on cassette. Blind patrons 
borrow these "talking books" from NLS "regional libraries". The books 
are recorded on cassettes in four tracks at half the normal speed. This 
prevents casual copying  of the books which would violate copyright 
protections of authors and publishers.

Now, however, cassettes are becoming obsolete. Indeed, the specialized 
cassette playback machines are no longer being manufactured and while 
cassettes are going to be around for a few years longer, the day when 
they will no longer be a viable option for distribution of talking books 
is in sight.

NLS embarked in 2000 on a project to produce the next generation of 
talking book machines. With the cooperation of the National Federation 
of the Blind and other organizations of blind consumers, NLS has 
developed a master plan for the production and distribution of talking 
books and the requisite equipment to play them. The equipment uses 
digital technology: the books will be distributed on special cartridges 
containing a SD flash memory card with the recordings in digital audio 
with encryption. The playback machines will have few moving parts and 
will be simple to operate. Thus, the machines will be easy for the 
elderly, those with physical dexterity or cognitive problems and 
technophobes to operate with ease. Production of the playback machines 
and books is slated to begin in 2008.

NLS will need $76.4 million over four years -- $19.1 million per year --  
to bring this project to fruition. However, in a recent subcommittee 
hearing, the bill was marked up to only appropriate $7 million -- far 
from enough to begin production and distribution of machines and books 
in timely fashion. In fact, any delay could result in patrons being 
unable to receive books quickly since no new cassette equipment will be 
produced.

A not-yet-released GAO report criticizes NLS for not entertaining the 
possibility of using off-the-shelf commercial equipment -- CD players or 
MP3 devices such as the I-pod, for example -- rather than using 
specialized equipment. The GAO report apparently maintains that use of 
commercial equipment could save taxpayers money.

This report evinces a singular lack of knowledge of both the commercial 
digital audio device market and the demographics of NLS patrons. First, 
most commercial audio devices are not easily operated by the blind or 
those with dexterity problems -- buttons are extremely small and one 
must navigate numerous menus using visual displays -- something many 
technically-savvy blind persons have trouble with, let alone the elderly 
who find even TV remote controls mildly befuddling. Second, the 
potential for copyright violations with commercial equipment would be 
greatly expanded over that using the specially-encrypted audio NLS will 
use. Third, the books would not have the special mark-up language, known 
as "Daisy" that will allow NLS patrons to navigate through books by 
section, chapter and, in some instances, pages. Fourth, many 
commercially-available audio books are abridged. While NLS does produce 
a few abridged books, most books are full-length. The blind and 
physically handicapped deserve to read full books just as their sighted 
compatriots do.

The blind cannot just go down to their local Barns and Noble; for many, 
the NLS program provides nearly their sole opportunity to read. (Yes, 
computer-savvy blind persons have some options but the vast majority of 
blind persons do not use computers.)

For all these reasons, I strongly urge -- nay, I entreat --  
Representative Dicks to vote for the full $19.1 million appropriation 
for NLS for this fiscal year and for the remainder of the $76.4 million 
in the next three fiscal years. Without this appropriation, the NLS 
talking book program will be put in serious jeopardy.

If you have questions, you may reach me on my cell phone at (360) 
241-5273. Please do not hesitate to call even early in the morning.

I thank you and Representative Dicks for promptly attending to this 
matter.

Cordially,

Michael Freeman, President
National Federation of the Blind of Washington
-------------- next part --------------
----- Original Message -----
From:
mailto:k7uij at panix.com Mike Freeman
To:
mailto:jami.burgess at mail.house.gov Burgess, Jami
Sent:
Monday, June 11, 2007 9:32 PM
Subject:
National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped Appropriation
Dear Jami:
 
It is my understanding that tomorrow, June 12, the full House Appropriations Committee will take up that portion of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill dealing with the Library of Congress and, more specifically, its National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS). Since 1931, NLS has been the main provider of books for the blind in the United States, providing books in braille and via audio -- at first on records and then on cassette. Blind patrons borrow these "talking books" from NLS "regional libraries". The books are recorded on cassettes in four tracks at half the normal speed. This prevents casual copying  of the books which would violate copyright protections of authors and publishers.
 
Now, however, cassettes are becoming obsolete. Indeed, the specialized cassette playback machines are no longer being manufactured and while cassettes are going to be around for a few years longer, the day when they will no longer be a viable option for distribution of talking books is in sight.
 
NLS embarked in 2000 on a project to produce the next generation of talking book machines. With the cooperation of the National Federation of the Blind and other organizations of blind consumers, NLS has developed a master plan for the production and distribution of talking books and the requisite equipment to play them. The equipment uses digital technology: the books will be distributed on special cartridges containing a SD flash memory card with the recordings in digital audio with encryption. The playback machines will have few moving parts and will be simple to operate. Thus, the machines will be easy for the elderly, those with physical dexterity or cognitive problems and technophobes to operate with ease. Production of the playback machines and books is slated to begin in 2008.
 
NLS will need $76.4 million over four years -- $19.1 million per year -- to bring this project to fruition. However, in a recent subcommittee hearing, the bill was marked up to only appropriate $7 million -- far from enough to begin production and distribution of machines and books in timely fashion. In fact, any delay could result in patrons being unable to receive books quickly since no new cassette equipment will be produced.
 
A not-yet-released GAO report criticizes NLS for not entertaining the possibility of using off-the-shelf commercial equipment -- CD players or MP3 devices such as the I-pod, for example -- rather than using specialized equipment. The GAO report apparently maintains that use of commercial equipment could save taxpayers money.
 
This report evinces a singular lack of knowledge of both the commercial digital audio device market and the demographics of NLS patrons. First, most commercial audio devices are not easily operated by the blind or those with dexterity problems -- buttons are extremely small and one must navigate numerous menus using visual displays -- something many technically-savvy blind persons have trouble with, let alone the elderly who find even TV remote controls mildly befuddling. Second, the potential for copyright violations with commercial equipment would be greatly expanded over that using the specially-encrypted audio NLS will use. Third, the books would not have the special mark-up language, known as "Daisy" that will allow NLS patrons to navigate through books by section, chapter and, in some instances, pages. Fourth, many commercially-available audio books are abridged. While NLS does produce a few abridged books, most books are full-length. The blind and physically handicapped deserve to read full books just as their sighted compatriots do.
 
The blind cannot just go down to their local Barns and Noble; for many, the NLS program provides nearly their sole opportunity to read. (Yes, computer-savvy blind persons have some options but the vast majority of blind persons do not use computers.)
 
For all these reasons, I strongly urge -- nay, I entreat -- Representative Dicks to vote for the full $19.1 million appropriation for NLS for this fiscal year and for the remainder of the $76.4 million in the next three fiscal years. Without this appropriation, the NLS talking book program will be put in serious jeopardy.
 
If you have questions, you may reach me on my cell phone at (360) 241-5273. Please do not hesitate to call even early in the morning.
 
I thank you and Representative Dicks for promptly attending to this matter.
 
Cordially,
 
Michael Freeman, President
National Federation of the Blind of Washington