Do you find reading print difficult? Are the letters too small, or is the act of holding a book and turning the pages difficult? Audio books from the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library may be just what you need.
WTBBL provides a free and comprehensive library service, including books and magazines in audio and braille formats, Spanish-language titles, and readers’ advisory. All materials, including playback equipment and accessories, are sent free by mail, or you can download books to read at your convenience. BARD, the Braille and Audio Reading Download service, connects users to over 85,000 audio books and dozens of magazines. Readers with an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch can download and read audio and braille books with the BARD Mobile iOS app. For users of Android devices, including the Amazon Kindle Fire, the BARD Mobile app for Android also gives access to the entire audio book collection. BARD Express provides an easy way to search for and download audio books on Windows-based computers.
Our service is available to anyone in Washington who has difficulty using regular print materials as a result of a visual or physical limitation, or a temporary or permanent reading disability. This includes individuals who have had a qualifying disability from birth, persons who are disabled because of medical conditions or trauma, and those who become disabled as they age.
Honorably discharged U.S. veterans who are blind or have a physical disability receive special priority. Library patron and veteran H.K. said, “I’m happy with the ease of using the service. I’m very patriotic, and I like being able to read books on the history of our country.” The men and women who protected our freedom can now enjoy the freedom to read their way.
Whether you choose to get books sent directly to you at home and use one of our digital players, or get your books on-the-go via mobile app, WTBBL’s talking books can keep you reading and keep you connected.
As a current library user from Chimacum said, “I am an 86-year-old 100% disabled veteran of the United States Marine Corps with advanced macular degeneration, legally blind in my right eye and still marginal in my other. I was grateful to hear that I was eligible for your services. I have been listening to a variety of books from poetry to mysteries. This has made a significant difference in my life. I can’t thank WTBBL enough for enriching my life.”
Thank you for your service! For more information on WTBBL services, or to download an application, please visit wtbbl.org or call (800) 542-0866.