VA recently partnered with the Library of Congress to promote the Braille and Talking Book Program for Veterans. The program which is administered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and sponsored by the Library of Congress is already being used at many VA facilities across the country.
Through a national network of cooperating libraries, the program offers books in a number of formats: Braille, audio, mailed to your door, or instantly downloadable. Although this service is available to any United States resident, honorably discharged Veterans who meet the eligibility requirements have preference in the lending of materials and equipment. Eligibility Veterans are those with an honorable discharge, blind, have low vision, or have a physical disability that prevents them from reading regular print materials. The program, designed to promote independence , improve wellness and the quality of life, is currently used by about 500,000.
Veterans interested in applying for this service must fill out the application online here at https://www.loc.gov/nls/pdf/application.pdf and submit the application to the nearest talking library available in their state. A medical professional certifies the applicant is eligible for the service. Once determined eligible, the Library of Congress provides books and equipment to the individual’s residence.
Any practitioner in VA’s Blind Rehabilitation Service can assist Veterans in applying for services through their local VA facility. These include inpatient Blind Rehabilitation Centers, outpatient blind and low vision clinics, blind rehabilitation outpatient specialists, and visual impairment service team coordinators.
Books for the program are selected for
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