Libraries of the air

A permanent Depression for the blind, with 70 percent unemployment

At a 2002 gathering of the American Library Association, David Faucheux offered specifics for improving the profession's less-than-exemplary treatment of disabled librarians and prospective librarians. Also see Is There a Place for Us?, an article he wrote for the ALA's Interface Magazine. Forget about decency if you must. Just in cold terms of saving tax money--as witnessed by the 70 percent unemployment figure for the blind and the necessity of supporting them--it would seem that libraries should show more sensitivity toward the needs of the job-seeking disabled. Who better to know blind people's information requirements than other blind people working closely with sighted peers in keeping with the cooperative nature of librarianship? Meanwhile, for more on blind unemployment, check out Blind hope employers can see through misconceptions. This CNN story is four years old but unfortunately still essentially up to date. - David Rothman.

Blind chances urgently needed in the library world

Button hell: Why can't appliances be more blind-friendly?

Dvorak keyboard

The original Dvorak-related posts from David F. had audio problems, and this one consolidates the old Parts I and II. Meanwhile David and I want to thank Linda Blake--author of the Voices of the Virus audio blog--for her excellent suggestions and encouragement. - David Rothman

Speed listening--with variations

You're a biblioholic if...

Library access issues: The personal angle

Making physical libraries more blind-friendly

In this commentary David Faucheux mentions Access Through Technology in School Library Journal--written by Marti Goddard, access manager at the San Francisco Public Library. Separately you can download an MP3 of an interview with Ms. Goddard. You can also check out a related TeleRead posting on libraries and disabilities. - David Rothman

(Thanks to Alev for discovering the Goddard article.)

'Blind like me': Try Web surfing with accessibility software and a blindfold

Note: You can try out Jaws for free. - David Rothman

Lesson for Librarians: "You know about biology, I know about being blind"

Yahoo, Part II: Beyond the maze

Yahoo, Part I: An audio maze for the blind?

Handyman: A review

Ties That Bind, Ties That Break: A review

Books as I hear them

Jennings review (Part II)

Review of Gary Jennings' Spangle (Part I)

Gaming the Shows: How to be a (Blind) Millionaire?

Seeing eye dog etiquette--and a few recollections of Nader

What this blog is about: Books, the Net, libraries and the challenges of life

This is David Faucheux's blog, where he'll discuss books, the Net, libraries and life from the perspective of a bright MLIS grad who has faced his share of access-related challenges since losing his sight as a child.

Are you a librarian or teacher? Write triviaguy@bellsouth.net with your questions on such matters as, "Which e-book formats are best for the blind?" If David Faucheux doesn't know the answer, he'll ask others who will. Same for questions about the physical configurations of libraries and schools. He'll discuss these matters in this Web log but conceal identities if people request. This is a valuable learning opportunity. The number of blind and visually impaired Americans will increase as the baby boomers age.

Are you yourself blind? Would you like your own blog? No promises, but we might be able to help you get set up with one--or at least steer you to somebody who can help. Meanwhile, if you want your local library to provide more blind-related resources, you might tell local librarians about the Mid Illinois Talking Books Center as well as the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Keep in mind, too, that this blog is about books in a major way--and that David Faucheux loves to do audio book reviews. Send on the names of titles--fiction, nonfiction, old, new--that would be of interest. David these days is especially partial to historical fiction but his interest go way beyond that.

A new blog on accessibility issues and favorite books and Web sites and anything else that comes up