ACB Focus: Literacy

20250709 1600 Yes Braille Can be Fun

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 03:23:00 -0000

20250709 1600 Yes Braille Can be Fun Originally Broadcasted July 9, 2025, on ACB Media Participants joined their Braille Revival League friends at an in-person convention session to test your trivia knowledge about braille, its history, and the Braille Revival League, as well as see what other fun things we have in store. And by the way, there were prizes!!

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20250708 1430 LUA Presents a Q and A with the NLS Director

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 23:39:00 -0000

20250708 1430 LUA Presents a Q and A with the NLS Director Originally Broadcasted July 8, 2025, on ACB Media 2 NLS Director Jason Broughton brought us up to speed with happenings at NLS and answered our questions about this most important service. Presenter: Jason Broughton, Director, NLS, Washington, DC Facilitator: Paul Edwards, Jacksonville, FL

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20250708 1300 LUA Presents Up Close and Personal with Talking Book Narrator Gary Tipton

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 23:09:00 -0000

20250708 1300 LUA Presents Up Close and Personal with Talking Book Narrator Gary Tipton Originally Broadcasted July 8, 2025, on ACB Media 2 Gary Tipton is a long-time narrator at the American Printing House for the Blind, and has read an amazing 789 books in all genres from cookbooks to fantasy. Presenter: Gary Tipton, Louisville, KY Facilitator: Ralph Smitherman, LUA Secretary, Brandon, MS Co-sponsored by: BRL, AABT and LUA

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20250627 1300 Author Talk by a Survivor of the World War II Nazi Atrocities

Sat, 28 Jun 2025 00:38:00 -0000

20250627 1300 Author Talk by a Survivor of the World War II Nazi Atrocities Originally Broadcasted June 27, 2025, on ACB Media 4 Simone Arnold-Liebster has been a lifelong advocate to ensure that future generations never forget past religious atrocities. She actively promotes an environment where peace, tolerance and human dignity can flourish. The condensed version of Simone's book, "Facing the Lion: Memoirs of a Young Girl in Nazi Europe," is available from Audible, narrated by the author. The full version is available on Bookshare. This promised to be a very moving and meaningful author presentation. Presenters: Simone Arnold-Liebster, author, Tresserve, France; Greg Milakovich, Arnold-Liebster Foundation, Davenport, IAFacilitator: Janet Parmerter, Loganville, GAPresented by: LUA

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20250626 1430 LUA Presents the Journey from Print Book to Talking Book

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 14:56:00 -0000

20250626 1430 LUA Presents the Journey from Print Book to Talking Book Originally Broadcasted June 26, 2025 on ACB Media 3 Presenters from NLS detailed the process a book goes through in its journey to becoming available as an audiobook on BARD. Presenter: Alice Baker O'Reilly, NLS, Washington, DC. Facilitator: Brian Charlson, Watertown, MA.

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20250626 1300 LUA Presents the New DA2 Player and the NLS My Talking Books Smart Speaker Skill

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 14:34:00 -0000

20250626 1300 LUA Presents the New DA2 Player and the NLS My Talking Books Smart Speaker Skill Originally Broadcasted June 26, 2025 on ACB Media 3 Don Olson, customer service specialist and Zhe Huang, Patron Education and Training Specialist familiarized attendees with the new DA2 talking book player which will shortly be available and will allow an NLS patron to download books directly from BARD. We also learned about the My Talking Books smart speaker skill which gives a patron hands-free access to BARD through the Amazon Alexa devices. Presenter: Don Olson, Customer Service Specialist and Zhe Huang, Patron Education and Training Specialist, National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), Washington, DC. Facilitator: Jane Carona, LUA Vice President, Silver Spring, MD

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20250626 1130 Making Braille Music Accessible By Touch

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 14:13:00 -0000

20250626 1130 Making Braille Music Accessible By Touch Originally Broadcasted June 26, 2025 on ACB Media 2 While blind musicians naturally hear music, reading it is also possible - and empowering - through Music Braille. This session offered an introduction to the Music Braille system, including its history, how it differs from literary braille, and the ways modern technology is transforming access to written music. Attendees explored practical examples, learned strategies for understanding Music Braille signs, and gained insights into how to begin or enhance their own learning journey.

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20240709 1430 Update from NLS Director

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 18:17:00 -0000

20240709 1430 Update from NLS Director Originally Broadcasted July 9, 2024, on ACB Media 2 Attendees spoke with the Director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Jason Broughton. He updated us on changes at the National Library Service and answered our questions on what we can expect in the years to come. Edited By: Regina Marie Brink

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20240709 1300 Meet the Talking Book Narrator

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 16:07:00 -0000

20240709 1300 Meet the Talking Book Narrator Originally Broadcasted July 9, 2024, on ACB Media 2 As in years past, we once again get to listen to and ask questions of a wonderful talking book narrator, Mare Trevathan, who records at both Books to Life and Talking Book Publishers Inc. She is a perennial favorite and is likely to read a bit from a couple of her long list of NLS titles. Come early because this is frequently standing room only. Edited By: Mary Ann Grignon

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20240709 0730 BRL Breakfast Speaker

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 15:43:00 -0000

20240709 0730 BRL Breakfast Speaker Originally Broadcasted July 9, 2024, on ACB Media 2 Edited By: Mary Ann Grignon

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20240629 1530 Writers Workshop - Book Banning-The Threat and Some Solution

Sat, 29 Jun 2024 21:32:00 -0000

20240629 1530 Writers Workshop - Book Banning-The Threat and Some Solution Originally Broadcasted June 29, 2024, on ACB Media 2 This discussion highlighted the current instances and dangers of banning books and how it relates to the past. Panelists shared stories focusing on the detrimental effect upon blind and low vision children and adults, as well as people with disabilities and other minority groups. Advocacy strategies and workarounds were explored. Edited By: Doug Hunsinger

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20240628 1400 You Get What You Pay For

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 18:14:00 -0000

20240628 1400 You Get What You Pay For Originally Broadcasted June 86, 2024, on ACB Media 3 If you find yourself unwilling to wait for the next book in a series or needing access to a niche title, you will find this session on where to go if you are willing to pay for the privilege to be a game changer. Whether you pay by the title, by the month or through an annual membership fee, there are companies and organizations that can provide you with access beyond the free services you are already using. Edited By: Mary Ann Grignon

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20240627 1530 Why You Should Get a Public Library Card

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 16:33:00 -0000

20240627 1530 Why You Should Get a Public Library Card Originally Broadcasted June 27, 2024, on ACB Media 3 Some Talking Book library users are also proud card-carrying public library users. Attendees learned how they might take advantage of their local public library to access services that could reduce their reliance on pay to play services to access books, music, videos and more. This session included a short demonstration of the Libby online service offered by many public libraries around the country. Edited By: Doug Hunsinger

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20240627 1400 Writing Image Description for Graphic Novels and Other Highly Visual Content

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 16:18:00 -0000

20240627 1400 Writing Image Description for Graphic Novels and Other Highly Visual Content Originally Broadcasted June 27, 2024, on ACB Media 4 Staff of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) Media Lab team discussed the evolution of their approach to writing image descriptions of graphic novels and picture books, presenting challenges they have faced and best practices they have developed. Edited By: Doug Hunsinger

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20240627 1400 What Can be Accomplished When We Work Together

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 16:14:00 -0000

20240627 1400 What Can be Accomplished When We Work Together Originally Broadcasted June 27, 2024, on ACB Media 3 Talking Book libraries can do much more than send out books and magazines. Attendees heard how Floridians can access locally produced books and periodicals, videos, and how to work in collaboration with their local talking book library to enhance services. Participants also heard how a "Friends of the Library" group in Florida has worked with their talking book library to support existing programming and to help finance fun and exciting new projects. How do they work together and what do they hope to achieve in the future? Edited By: Doug Hunsinger

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20240627 1230 What is the Braille Challenge

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 15:31:00 -0000

20240627 1230 What is the Braille Challenge Originally Broadcasted June 27, 2024, on ACB Media 2 Attendees learned how it works and the nuts and bolts of starting one locally. Edited By: Darcy Burnard

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20230705 0700 BRL Breakfast

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 21:00:00 -0000

20230705 0700 BRL Breakfast Originally Broadcasted July 5, 2023, on ACB Media 3 Special guest, Martine Abel-Williamson, President, World Blind Union, Auckland, New Zealand. Edited By: Doug Hunsinger

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20230704 1430 Library Users of America meet with NLS Deputy Director Jason Yasner

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 17:00:00 -0000

20230704 1430 Library Users of America meet with NLS Deputy Director Jason Yasner ** Originally Broadcasted July 4, 2023, on ACB Media 3**

Participants met with NLS Deputy Director Jason Yasner

Edited By: Tim Cumings

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20230703 1300 Up Close and Personal with Jake Williams

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 13:00:00 -0000

20230703 1300 Up Close and Personal with Jake Williams Originally Broadcasted July 3, 2023, on ACB Media 4 Library Users of America and Braille Revival League once again joined to sponsor our visit with ACB narrator. This year, it was Jacob Williams. Edited By: John Gassman

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20230703 1300 Learn About all the Ways that Hadley Can Help

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 13:00:00 -0000

20230703 1300 Learn About all the Ways that Hadley Can Help Originally Broadcasted July 3, 2023, on ACB Media 3 After reinventing ourselves back in 2020, Hadley has quite a few things that we can offer to help those managing vision loss. Participants learned about the ways we can help people discover new ways to do things that have become more difficult with vision loss, including figuring out new braille curriculum. Hadley creates personalized learning opportunities that empower people to thrive at home, at work and in their communities. Marc Arneson, Director of Community, Hadley, Winnetka, IL. Edited By: Janet Ingber

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20230624 1600 Writers Workshop-Writing Fiction for Young People

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 16:28:20 -0000

20230624 1600 Writers Workshop-Writing Fiction for Young People Originally Broadcasted June 24, 2023, on ACB Media 4 Children's author Feather Chelle took us through her creative process and what motivates her to write for children, followed by a question-and-answer period. Edited By: Darcy Burnard

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20230622 1130 Updates on NLS's Foreign Language Offerings

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 13:15:00 -0000

20230622 1130 Updates on NLS's Foreign Language Offerings Originally Broadcasted June 22, 2023, on ACB Media 5 Attendees learned what's new and exciting with the Foreign Language Collection of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. Participants were also able to get their questions answered. Presenter: Kelsey Corlett-Rivera, Foreign Language Collections Librarian, National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Chevy Chase, MD. Co-sponsored by IRC and MCAC. Edited By: Brian McCallen

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20220706 New uses for Braille in Periodicals

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 15:57:39 -0000

20220706 New uses for Braille in Periodicals Originally Aired July 6, 2022, on ACB Media · Brian Charlson Watertown, MA, and Judy Dixon, Arlington, VA: Using UEB for cooking in magazines and books. · Judy Wilkinson, San Leandro, CA and Tamara Rorie, Arlington, VA: New knitting magazines and how to use knitting charts. · Ralph Smitherman, Brandon, MS and Jane Carona, Silver Spring, MD: Crossword puzzle magazines Chaired by Paul Edwards. Edited By: Douglas Hunsinger

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20220706 Understanding where our writing system Braille has been

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 15:42:56 -0000

20220706 Understanding where our writing system Braille has been Originally Aired July 6, 2022, on ACB Media Speakers: · Philippa Campsey, Ontario Canada - added information about the early history of braille · Tamara Rorie, Arlington Virginia - new braille archives · Judy Dixon, Arlington Virginia - who discussed methods of doing research about braille and where people can find documents of interest Edited By: Larry Gassman

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20220705 One Bookone ACB

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 14:51:09 -0000

One Bookone ACB Originally Aired July 5, 2022, on ACB Media

Their Plant Eyes: A Personal and Cultural History of Blindness by M. Leona Godin.

Co-Sponsored by: AABT, BRL, FIA, LUA, BPI and MCAC

Edited By: Brian McCallen

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20220705 Meet the Talking Book Narrator

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 14:39:32 -0000

20220705 Meet the Talking Book Narrator Originally Aired July 5, 2022, on ACB Media Co-hosted by: AABT, BRL, FIA, LUA, BPI, and MCAC Edited By: Douglas Hunsinger

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20220703 Not Your Mother's Library

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 01:14:09 -0000

20220703 Not Your Mother's Library Originally Aired July 3, 2022, on ACB Media The Modern, Public Library - What awaits you there. Edited By: Douglas Hunsinger

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20220703 Up Close and Personal with NLS Director - Jason Broughton

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 01:06:01 -0000

20220703 Up Close and Personal with NLS Director - Jason Broughton Originally Aired July 3, 2022, on ACB Media Mr. Broughton presented at morning general session, here is your chance to learn more from him and ask questions about NLS. Edited By: Douglas Hunsinger

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20220624 BookShare Office Hours

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 19:37:23 -0000

20220624 BookShare Office Hours Originally Aired June 24, 2022, on ACB Media

Attendees joined Bookshare to learn about the latest additions to the world’s largest eBook library for blind people, promotions, and new and exciting tools like Bookshare Reader for Alexa and more.

Edited By: David Eddict

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20220625 FIA Writer's Workshop

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 18:35:49 -0000

20220625 FIA Writer's Workshop Originally Aired June 25, 2022, on ACB Media

• Kim Nova, "Our Special" Editor, NBP • Mary Jo Wondersitor of Magnets and Ladders • Kathy King and Cheryl McNeil-Fisher, Writing Works Wonders • Chris Kuell, Editor in Chief, Breath and Shadow Journal of Disability Literature • Ann Harrison Barnes, Blogger, Author and Freelance Editor • Cachet Wells, ACB Blog Voices contributor and member of ACB Board of Publications.

Edited By: Tony Swartz

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20220624 NLS Expands its Foreign Language Collection

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 14:43:50 -0000

20220624 NLS Expands its Foreign Language Collection Originally Aired June 24, 2022, on ACB Media

Kelsey Corlett-Rivera, NLS Foreign Language Librarian, spoke to attendees about the library's innovative projects and its implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty in the US.

Edited By: David Eddict

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