Michigan Braille and Talking Book Libraries are turning to technology in an attempt to increase the number of visually impaired people using their services.
Susan Chinault is the Manager of the Braille and Talking Book Library of Michigan. She said the library is looking to raise awareness because many visually impaired people don't realize there is a service to help them obtain reading materials at no cost to them.
“Eleven-thousand people today actually get either recorded or braille books back and forth to us, or they download their books through the service that we provide. However, statewide it is estimated that we are only serving ten to fifteen percent of the people who actually qualify”.
Chinault said compared to large braille books, things like downloadable audiobooks and electronic braille displays will make reading more accessible and more portable.
“One novel typically takes three volumes. 12 inches by 18 inches, let’s call that one volume and those volumes I'm going to say are three or four inches thick. The whole idea of having to cart that around disappears with the electronic versions”.