1. Presented by: Kara Riley Customer Development Librarian Florida Bureau of Braille & Talking Books Library Seeing to Your Needs

2. Agenda Common causes of vision loss Common mobility issues Organic conditions Braille & Talking Books Library Services Q & A Equipment workshop Applications & sign up Feedback

3. Cataracts A clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision most frequently related to aging. Primary Causes of Vision Loss in Older Adults Normal VisionCataracts Information from the National Eye Institute: http://www.nei.nih.gov/

4. Primary Causes of Vision Loss in Older Adults Diabetic Retinopathy Caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. Information from the National Eye Institute: http://www.nei.nih.gov/ Normal Vision Diabetic Retinopathy

5. Primary Causes of Vision Loss in Older Adults Glaucoma A group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve and can result in vision loss and blindness. Information from the National Eye Institute: http://www.nei.nih.gov/ Normal Vision Glaucoma

6. Macular Degeneration Destroys the macula, the part of the eye that provides sharp, central vision. Information from the National Eye Institute: http://www.nei.nih.gov/ Primary Causes of Vision Loss in Older Adults Normal VisionMacular Degeneration

7. Primary Mobility Issues Among Older Adults Carpal tunnel A condition caused by the compression of the nerve as it passes from the wrist into the hand. Information from Medline Plus Encyclopedia: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ Diabetic neuropathy A degenerative disorder of the nerves.

8. Primary Mobility Issues Among Older Adults Information from Medline Plus Encyclopedia: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ Severe arthritis An inflammation of the joints. Muscle atrophy The wasting or loss of muscle tissue.

9. Organic Issues Reading disability –Dyslexia –Visual processing disorders –Aphasia Require a physician’s certification

10. Why is this important to me? Common conditions of our patrons You or a loved one may qualify Don’t wait to sign up

11. Library of Congress Department of Education Division of Blind Services

12. Who are we? Bureau of Braille and Talking Books Library Free lending library Funded by tax dollars Serve the blind, visually impaired, and physically disabled More than 2.4 million braille and talking books

13. What do we offer? Digital players Digital talking books and magazines Downloadable talking and braille books Braille books and magazines

14. Why should I subscribe? The service is FREE! Free equipment Free reading materials Free postage to and from your home

15. How do I qualify? Low Vision –Legally blind –Corrected vision less than 20/200 Difficulty holding a book or turning a page Reading disability

16. How do I order the books? Over the phone –Talk to a live person Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST –Leave a message Online 24/7 Automated service Through the mail

17. How do I get started? Sign up here today Take an application with you and return by mail Go to our website and download an application: http://dbs.myflorida.com/library/membership.php http://dbs.myflorida.com/library/membership.php

18. Who can certify my application? Physician Nurse Counselor Social Worker Librarian Clergyman

19. Volunteer Opportunities Pulling and shelving books Duplicating recording materials Book inspection Labeling and mailing projects Machine repair Recording and monitoring Assisting in the print shop Braille transcription Clerical

20. “Books talk, readers listen Readers talk, we listen.”

21. Questions?

22. Kara Riley Customer Development Librarian Phone: 386-239-6040 Toll Free: 1-800-226-6075 Email: kara.riley@dbs.fldoe.org