READINGS FOR THE BLIND, INC.
Audio Recordings for the Visually Impaired & Learning Disabled Community
About Us
About Readings for the Blind
Mission:
Readings for the Blind is a non-profit organization. We believe that printed matter should be accessible to all. We seek to accomplish this by creating customized recordings of books and other print material for the blind, vision impaired, learning disabled and the physically challenged.
History:
Readings for the Blind was founded in 1965, by Elizabeth Stone in Birmingham, Michigan.
Elizabeth's two sons had vision problems and learning disabilities. The best way for her sons to keep up with schoolwork was to get textbooks on tape. But it was difficult to find services for kids with special needs. Elizabeth began tape-recording her sons' textbooks herself.
Elizabeth knew other students needed this service as well, so she founded Readings for the Blind with seed money from the Birmingham Junior League in 1965. Although Elizabeth Stone has since retired, the agency continues her mission of producing customized recordings for anyone who is visually impaired, learning disabled or physically unable to hold or manipulate print material.
Still very much a grass-roots organization, the agency has just one part-time paid staff member. A group of about 50 committed volunteers record the books, duplicate recordings and help run the office.