1026 East 36th Street
Baltimore, MD 21218
Phone: (410) 235-3073
Email: president@nfbmd.org
Library & Information Services
The Maryland State Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped (LBPH)
415 Park Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21201-3603
Phone Baltimore metro area: (410) 230-2424
Phone outside metro area: (800) 964-9209
TDD Baltimore metro area: (410) 333-8679
TDD outside metro area: (800) 934-2541
Fax:
(410) 333-2095
Web site: www.lbph.lib.md.us
E-mail: recept@lbph.lib.md.us
Hours: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. M-F; 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. second Saturday of the month
The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped offers free library service to people unable to read or handle ordinary books and magazines because of a visual or physical impairment. The Library provides a variety of materials on popular subjects, current events and best sellers. Materials are available in Braille, on cassette or CD, and in large type. Patrons may either visit the library, browse online or have materials mailed free of charge. The library also provides players and selected accessories.
This service is provided as a part of a national library program administered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress.
Disability Resource Center
(serves Montgomery County residents)
21 Maryland Ave.,
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone:
(240) 777-0140
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)
1291 Taylor St. NW
Washington, DC 20542
Phone:
(202) 707-5100
Fax:
(202) 707-0712
Web site: www.loc.gov/nls
Email: nls@loc.gov
NLS runs a nationwide program offering free talking books and Braille books to people with visual impairments and physical disabilities. To borrow books available through the National Library Service, contact the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
The Metropolitan Washington Ear, Inc.
35 University Blvd East
Silver Spring, MD 20901
Phone:
(301) 681-6636
Fax:
(301) 681-5227
Web site: http://www.washear.org/
E-mail: information@washear.org
Established in 1974, The Metropolitan Washington Ear, Inc., is a nonprofit organization providing reading and information services for people who are blind, visually impaired and physically disabled and who cannot effectively read print, see plays, watch television programs and films, or view museum exhibits.
There is a daily radio reading service 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Readings of newspapers, magazines and books are broadcast over special receivers, available free of charge.
The Washington Ear also provides a dial-in newspaper service which enables individuals to read the Washington Post and several other publications via telephone, 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
In addition, The Washington Ear provides an audio description service for selected live theater performances via a small FM radio transmitter and provides recorded notes for National Symphony Orchestra performances. Tactile and large print atlases of Maryland and the Washington D.C. area are also available.
Radio Reading Network of Maryland
2901 Liberty Heights Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21215-7807
Phone:
(410) 462-8580
Toll free:
(800) 455-5605
Fax:
(410) 462-8553
E-mail: radioreading@nni.com
The Radio Reading Network of Maryland serves people who cannot read standard print. Nearly 150 volunteers read portions of selected newspapers and magazines.
This service is broadcast on sub-carriers of WBJC in Baltimore, WFWM in Frostburg and WESM in Princess Anne. The Reading Network can also be heard statewide on stereo television sets over the Second Audio Program (SAP) channel of Maryland Public Television (MPT) during its regular broadcast hours.
Scheduled programs include readings from the Baltimore Sun, New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and various county newspapers. Among the magazines read regularly are Time, People, Sports Illustrated, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Esquire, Working Mother, Fortune and The Economist. A schedule of weekly programs, in large print, is sent to each listener. The daily schedule is also available by phone.
Except for broadcasts on the SAP channel of MPT, programs are heard by means of a special receiver available through The Radio Reading Network. There is an annual fee of $35. However, in a case of need, the fee can be waived.
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic
20 Roszel Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
Member Services: (800) 221-4792
Web site: www.rfbd.org
E-mail: custserv@rfbd.org
RFB&D is a national organization that provides recorded and electronic textbooks, library services and educational resources to those who cannot read standard print because of a visual, physical or perceptual disability. It specializes in textbooks and books needed in various professions. Books are produced in digital format. A membership fee is required.