SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

 

Each branch of the Mobile Public Library provides handicapped access, materials and services:

The Mobile Public Library is accessible in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Mobile Public Library also offers a variety of additional resources, listed below, for those with disabilities. For more information about any of these, please speak with a staff member.

  • Large-print books
  • Audio books on CD, in downloadable format and on Playaway MP3 players
  • Closed captioned DVDs
  • Books for and about special needs
  • EASY books in signed English for children
  • Instructional books and videos on sign language
  • In addition, Reference staff will provide individualized services to those customers who need it because of a disability. Please be sure to ask any Reference Staff member for assistance. For information call (251) 340-1458.

THE NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED (NLSBPH)

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLSBPH) at the Library of Congress administers a FREE national program for visually and physically handicapped persons who cannot use normal print materials.

Recorded books and magazines on discs and cassettes and special equipment on which to play them are available on free loan to eligible individuals and institutions from the Alabama Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Montgomery, Alabama, the local administrator for the NLSBPH.





BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download Mobile) provides access to 50,000 books, magazines, and music scores in audio and Braille formats, with new selections added daily from the NLSBPH. With BARD you can play the audio materials on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. If your device is connected to a refreshable Braille display through Bluetooth, you can also read the Braille materials available on BARD.


In order to use the mobile app, borrow equipment, or begin receiving recorded books you MUST:

  1. Click here to PRINT an application for Free Library service or pick one up for from any branch of the Mobile Public Library (we will mail it to you upon request).
  2. Fill in the form and have a competent authority to CERTIFY and SIGN that the you are eligible for the service.
  3. MAIL THE APPLICATION TO:
    Alabama Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
    6030 Monticello Drive
    Montgomery, Alabama 36130

The requested equipment, catalogs and talking books will be mailed to you and you may keep the equipment as long as needed.

Once you are registered for the service, the staff in Montgomery will do intensive readers' advisory on the phone. They will keep a list of materials and authors you would like and send them out as you return items you have used. This way it is possible for you to keep up a continuous supply of materials. The staff will also arrange for magazine subscriptions on tape.