Libraries have a history of making information accessible to all. The American Library Association’s (ALA) preamble to the Library Bill of Rights states, "all libraries are forums for information and ideas." By removing the physical, technological, and procedural barriers to accessing those forums, libraries promote the full inclusion of persons with disabilities into our society.
Further, according to the ALA policy on Library Services for People with Disabilities:
"All library resources should be available in formats accessible by persons of all ages with different abilities. These materials must not be restricted by any presuppositions about information needs, interests, or capacity for understanding. The library should offer different, necessary modes of access to the same content using equipment, electronics, or software. All information resources provided directly or indirectly by the library, regardless of technology, format, or method of delivery, should be readily, equally and equitably accessible to all library users. Libraries should make every effort to support the needs of their users with disabilities and when necessary, should seek financial or other assistance to do so."
Did you know that the Alachua County Library District (ACLD) has a Braille collection?
Our collection includes a Braille primer, children’s books, and adult books in Braille.
The adult Braille and children's Braille collections can be found in different areas at each library branch so please don’t hesitate to ask staff for assistance in locating your materials. We’re here to help!
Some of our notable adult Braille titles include the The Hunger Games, V is for vengeance, I Am Legend, Memoirs of a Geisha, State of Fear (Crichton), and Just Enough to Know Better: A Braille Primer.
Some of our notable Braille children’s titles (most of which have print, pictures, and Braille) include books such as Fancy Nancy, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Pete the Cat Saves Christmas, The Little Engine that Could, A Counting Board Book, and Dr. Seuss & Mercer Mayer titles.
We also have chapter books in our Children’s Braille collection. These books do not have print or pictures (Braille only) and include A Wrinkle in Time and the The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe.
For some extra fun, check out this video of a young adult reading Madeline in Braille.
In addition to our Braille collections, ACLD also has Large Print books, described videos, digital/ebooks (for use with a screen reader; also have adjustable font and high contrast options), and audiobooks (books on CD, Playaways, Playalongs, and digital audiobooks). Our youth collections also include Sensory Toys for check out, and wall-mounted manipulative toys in most children's areas.
All ACLD items can be placed on hold via the online catalog, or by calling any of your local Alachua County Library Branches.
If you qualify for the service, you can also get a lot of great materials through the National Library Service (for the Blind and Print Disabled). They can be reached at 1-888-657-7323
Are you interested in learning more about Braille?
- Read Across America day – learning to love literacy through Braille
- History of Braille & How to Read & Write Braille
- National Library Service – Braille Literacy: Resources for Learning and Reading
- Learn Unified English Braille online
- Unified English Braille chart
- Braille Games
- UNESCO - World languages w/ Braille on p.31
Would you like a 3D Printed Braille Learning Board? ACLD has got you covered! Just head over to the request form, fill it out, and we'll 3D Print you your very own Braille Learning Board. The boards are free for you to keep but don't forget it can get busy at the library so give us at least two weeks to fill your request.
National Federation of the Blind encourages YOU! You CAN do it!
You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams.
The National Federation of the Blind, founded in 1940, is the oldest and largest U.S.-based organization of blind Americans.
"Our sighted friends often ask for advice regarding what they should do or say when meeting a blind person. Blind people are ordinary people, so please don't be nervous around us. We are also highly capable people, so please don’t grab our arms, our canes, or our guide dogs if we haven't asked you to do so. For more tips, we invite you to read our Courtesy rules of blindness."
In this video, Lashawna shares her keys to success and her story of perseverance: