There are many ways you can help people who are blind or visually impaired. Reach out and reads impact is magnified by the generosity of thousands of volunteers nationwide. Now is the time to become a part of our volunteer corp a group that many of our clients depend on for improving their life quality. Experience the joy of sharing stories with preschoolers by becoming a ready readers classroom volunteer.
Our volunteers make an incredible difference in the lives of people with sight loss each and every day. Disabled folks can use our service too, including folks that cant turn. Find out here more about ways you can help by being a volunteer at the library. Volunteers must be able to speak clearly and read at a college level.
Whether you have a lot of time or just a few minutes, there are meaningful ways you can help students who struggle to read, learn, and thrive. As the world leader in volunteerism, we feel a responsibility to unite our broader communityto use this moment to learn from one another, to grow, and to become stronger. Seeing ear we are a charity dedicated to helping those people. Once youve decided on the volunteer opportunity that best fits your interest, click on the title of the event to register. Locally and worldwide, those whose blindness, learning disability or physical impairment prevents their use of standard print benefit from this organization and volunteers work. We mainly use trained actors but we will consider working with anyone who has the appropriate experience and can spare the time. Some of our volunteers have been with us for decades and have recorded over 100 books each our handsdown winner was the late nancy clegg who recorded over 300 books for the library. If you live in the austin area and are interested in volunteering to record books, please call 5124754605, for more information. Groups help us assemble printbraille books so that. We welcome volunteers who have a positive philosophy on blindness, a willingness to learn, and a desire to further lighthouses mission. Become a volunteer virginia voice, an independent, nonprofit organization, provides an audio reading and information service for those who are unable to read printed material for themselves because of blindness, low vision or other disability. National braille press offers monthly volunteer projects for corporate groups, volunteer corps, and groups of individuals in our bostonbased braille publishing facility located near symphony hall. Jan 06, 2012 adding on to what olechat mentioned, most if not all states have a library for the blind that produces volunteer read audio books for the blind and people who are physically unable to hold a book.
Adding on to what olechat mentioned, most if not all states have a library for the blind that produces volunteerread audio books for the blind and people who are physically unable to hold a book. Volunteer to open up a world of books for blind and partially sighted. Volunteer lighthouse for the blind and visually impaired. Where can i volunteer to record books for the blind. Washington volunteer readers for the blind wvrb is an allvolunteer, nonprofit organization created to support the mission of the dc talking book and braille library, which is affiliated with the library of congress and the dc public library. Volunteer recording studio talking book program tslac.
Volunteers can either record from home or at our sacramento, ca location in our studio. Our dedicated volunteers are truly the heart of our organization. Staff is also available to discuss the latest bestsellers. Volunteering by reading text books for blind, dyslexic and. Frequently asked questions national library service for. We offer an inclusive environment to all our volunteers, so please feel encouraged to apply. Why not consider narrating audiobooks for the blind and partially sighted. Its been 80 years since rnibs talking book service was founded and, in that time, its brought the joy of reading to thousands of blind and partially sighted. If youre interested in volunteering with us, we cant wait to welcome you to the team. The state library of north carolina is a division of the north carolina department of natural and cultural resources. Volunteer our volunteers make an incredible difference in the lives of people with sight loss each and every day. Volunteer opportunities audioreader volunteers include college students, teachers, doctors, retirees and many others.
Volunteer activities rate unrated commercial audiobooks help us out back to list. Without the generous contribution of time and talent from our energetic volunteers, we could not produce the 750,000 pages of braille that we do each year. They record books which are not available commercially so that our members have the widest possible choice of titles. Volunteer to read for the blind or physically disabled. Reader for the blind and partially sighted creative inspiration. Join thousands of incredible volunteers who make everyday better for people l. Carnegie library of pittsburghs library for the blind and physically handicapped lbph is a network library of the library of congress national library service for the blind and physically handicapped. People who volunteer at blind low vision nz make a huge difference to those who are blind or have low vision right across new zealand. Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us. Iowa department for the blind 524 fourth street, des moines, ia 503092364 phone. All facetoface volunteering is suspended to ensure that you remain safe and well. Serving 27 counties in northern california, society for the blind is located in midtown sacramento and has been serving our community for more than 60 years. Our audiobooks benefit blind, visuallyimpaired students, and students with dyslexia or specific learning disability. We can only accept broadcasters who have their own home recording facilities.
Volunteer opportunities reading partners reading partners. If you are interested in exploring a unique opportunity to make a difference at lbph, please call 21568332 or 8002221754 and ask to speak to angel chambersgilliam, our volunteer coordinator, or submit our online application. Library for the blind and physically handicapped carnegie. All our recordings including yours, if you volunteer for us are also donated into the public domain. Volunteers are essential to the success of our organization. From inspecting books to recording them, volunteers make it happen at lbph. There are a few online volunteer options to choose from. Volunteer nbp promoting braille literacy, braille books. A total of 104 books have been recorded since 2015 by 17 volunteer narrators for scsltbs, a regional library of the national library service for the blind and print disabled. Many network libraries use volunteer readers to record materials for local use, some of which is circulated to the larger nls network.
You would have to auditionusually read a page or two using their equipmentand show that you have clear diction and a relatively pleasing voice. Reach out and read makes books available in waiting rooms for families to read and take home. If you would like to donate new or gentlyused books for children or teenagers, please contact your state or regional reach out and read affiliate. Find the volunteer opportunity thats right for you. Learning ally empowers dyslexic, blind and visually impaired students to succeed in school. Access news is a reading service that allows volunteers to record. Bringing books to life perkins school for the blind. Hello stephanie, after reading your article about volunteering for the blind or partially sighted, i am happy to say that for the past 2 years i have been producing a weekly business week podcast for, working with a group of incredible volunteers who love what they do.
You can do the same by visiting any school for the blind. They have a diversity of backgrounds and interests, but all share a common desire to help provide current information to those who cant read daily newspapers, magazines and bestselling books. Volunteer faq gatewave radio reading service for the blind. Clients provide their own reading materials, and sessions last for two hours. Librivox volunteers read and record chapters of books in the public domain books no longer under, and make them available for free on the internet. Leaning toward the microphone, she read aloud from hemlock. They help fill in the gaps and provide the best service for you. Library for the blind and physically handicapped state library of north carolina address, hours and contact information. We provide training, support, a lending library with stacks of books to choose from, and gift books for you to distribute to the children in your class. Every day, thousands of volunteer reading partners make a lifelong difference for kids who struggle with reading. Nls narrators national library service for the blind and print. Washington volunteer readers for the blind district of.
More than simply reading with a child, our volunteers follow a proven, structured curriculum to help students learn specific skills necessary to become proficient readers. Mighty trees fall, just as stunted saplings drop their needles and wither. Postal service as free matter for the blind may be returned the same way. Step 2 volunteers prepare the books, setting up the files that will let us synchronize audio to text and creating guidelines to help other volunteers find their way through a complicated page layout. There are many important elements of the production process, and. The same books used in classrooms across the country as well as books being read for enjoyment are placed in the hands of our volunteers. Nls narrators national library service for the blind and. You can help support programs in your community by donating books both new and gentlyused, improving literacyrich waiting rooms, and reading aloud to children at select program sites. Support us by volunteering state services for the blind. Friends of the iowa library for the blind and physically handicapped how to become a volunteer. Directory of producers of accessible reading materials may list other organizations that use volunteer narrators. Society for the blind is a fullservice nonprofit agency providing services and programs for people who are blind or have low vision. Whether you have a lot of time or just a few minutes, there are meaningful ways you can.
While the nls talkingbook program primarily contracts with commercial. Madrassa annoor for the blind also produces daisy digital accessible information systems books which is an audio book with accompanying text and is fully navigable allowing the user to increase and decrease pitch, tone and volume as well as adding bookmarks for easy reference. How to volunteer as a reader for the blind and partially sighted. To inquire about becoming a volunteer, contact our volunteer coordinator, janice eggers, at 515 28136 or send an email. Washington volunteer readers for the blind wvrb is an all volunteer, nonprofit organization created to support the mission of the dc talking book and braille library, which is affiliated with the library of congress and the dc public library. Volunteer for librivox librivox volunteer for librivox.
Cvsbh is a nonprofit 501c3 corporation that works with the connecticut state librarys library for the blind and physically handicapped lbph to record books, pamphlets, and magazines as digital talking books for those who cannot hold or read printed material. Reader for the blind and partially sighted creative. The learning ally is a national nonprofit that records academic books for students and professionals of all ages. Become part of our team and empower dyslexic, blind, and visually impaired students to succeed in. Volunteers read to adults who are blind or visually impaired.
Every week, throughout the year, dedicated and talented volunteers gather together to prepare and produce over six hours of audio recording for the west valley talking news. There are lots of things you can do whether you want to help weekly, monthly or every now and then. We have during april june 2019 on average each month 3270 volunteers, many who are blind or partially sighted. Join the learning ally volunteer nation become part of our team and empower dyslexic, blind, and visually impaired students to succeed in school, and in life. In our stateof the art recordings studios in midmanhattan. The library is always looking for volunteers to help out. Materials are sent by a network library with a removable address card that, when turned over and reinserted, will show the librarys name and address for return mailing. Reading materials cover a wide range of topics and support the clients academic, employment, leisure or personal reading needs.
Inside the cozy confines of studio d, volunteer narrator judie yuill might as well have been deep in the forest. Recorded recreational reading for the blind rrrb serves the sightchallenged throughout the west valley of maricopa county, arizona. The national association for the blind has its own recording facilities, people offer their spare time recording books and also reading out to the students. Gatewave depends on the dedication of its many volunteers to provide 24hour broadcast content to its local and national audio streams. This national volunteers day an rnib cardiff transcription services volunteer is urging people in south wales to help blind and partially. Narrating talking books if you pass an audition, we will train you to record talking books. Learning ally volunteers making audiobooks book production. Well do our best to keep you up to date with our progress with involving volunteers in our work. I realized, in the process of reading aloud for long stretches, that i was good at it, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Virginia voice, an independent, nonprofit organization, provides an audio reading and information service for those who are unable to read printed material for themselves because of blindness, low vision or other disability. Our vision is for all people to have equal access to the print. The services that are available at blind service association could not happen without the dedication of volunteers who faithfully give of their time to read onetoone to clients, to record books for audio playback, to mentor, to do office work, or to help in fund raising activities. You may contact a network library to see if they have current openings for volunteer narrators.
Were exploring ways that you might be able to volunteer from home. Or, if there is no affiliate in your area, contact your local program site. Nevada blind childrens foundation needs volunteers just like you. Meet the team of talented volunteers who record more than 100 new audio books every year for the perkins library. Connecticut volunteer services for the blind and handicapped, inc. Practically, this means we record books published before 1923. Canadian vision health charity, cnib canadian national institute for the blind, offers a program that voice talent or people, in general, can apply for to become narrators for cnib.
Our readings are broadcast by way of a special closedcircuit radio system. Well do our best to keep you up to date with our progress with involving volunteers in. Apr 20, 2010 besides there is also a college for the blind in my city in need of volunteers for recording books. The staff of lbph can answer reference questions about anything from the weather to accessible technology. Making a difference in the life of a child has never been so easy. Our volunteers work at our downtown san francisco headquarters and throughout the greater bay area.
Access news is a reading service that allows volunteers to record current news, magazines, circulars, and other items of interest so that people who are blind, low vision, or cannot read conventional print can listen to these publications through the telephone. Adult volunteers in the oneonone program are matched with adults who are blind or visually impaired to assist with daily activities such as reading mail, grocery shopping, or running errands. Books, magazines, catalogs, and equipment that are sent to readers through the u. Jbi offers many wonderful opportunities for volunteer services. Books in the national accessible library are available free of charge to anyone in the uk who is blind, has an impairment of visual function which cannot be improved by the use of corrective. In our stateoftheart recordings studios in midmanhattan. Our volunteers help out in more ways than we can count. We offer flexible day, evening and weekend hours, and provide training for specialized service areas. Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who donate their time and skills to help us meet the needs of the people we serve. Below are the areas of volunteer opportunities we offer, and the openings currently available.