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Talking books help those with physical disabilities

HOUGHTON – It’s obvious that books on tape are an important technology for people who are blind or visually impaired, but they can also help people with certain physical disabilities who might have trouble turning the pages of a book, according to Dillion Geshel.

Geshel, who is director of the Portage Lake District Library in Houghton, said the library began offering the Library of Congress Talking Books player and digital tapes in February.

“Any Michigan resident who can’t read because of a physical disability is eligible to check out a player from the Library of Congress,” he said.

The PLDL has one Talking Books player, which is actually on loan to the library, Geshel said.

“That’s why the player we have is just for use in the library,” he said.

Currently, Geshel said the PLDL has several fiction books on tape. However, non-fiction books and even magazines are available through the Library of Congress. The PLDL rotates the books on tape it has every three months.

There is a table next to a chair near a window in the reading area of the library dedicated to the Talking Books player, and Geshel said there is information about the Library of Congress program on the table.

“(People) can fill out an application so they can get their own (player),” he said.

The players and tapes are available without charge.

The application lists the disabilities which make a person eligible to get a player, including visual problems, having hearing impairments and visual problems, and physical disabilities which make turning the pages of a book difficult or impossible.

A signature from a medical professional or a counselor verifying the disability of an applicant is required on the application.

The application asks what kinds of reading material the applicant would like to receive, such as fiction or non-fiction and what sorts of genres. Headphones, remote control devices and breath switches are also available.

Geshel said the players have variable speeds for playing the tapes, and the volume and tone for playback can be adjusted.

“You can completely manipulate the machine,” he said.

Geshel said not very many people are using the library’s player, yet. Some groups, such as veterans organizations, have looked over the information about the program at the dedicated table.

“When they find out about the program, they always leave with an application,” he said.

Of those who do use the machine, Geshel most are visually impaired.

Geshel said the mission of the PLDL is to meet the needs of all patrons, and the Talking Books program is part of that process.

“It’s a great way for us to fulfill that mission,” he said.

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