Along with general subjects, books are accepted in the sciences, math, statistics, computer programming and law. Books are transcribed for students sometimes starting as early as grade 2 or 3 and on through college and graduate school for blind, physically impaired and reading disabled individuals. Professional Staff and Volunteers Textbook readers are highly skilled people who have taken a stringent oral reading test before acceptance. Applicants are tested on basic oral reading ability and word pronunciation skills and also art, music, biology, psychology, biblical literature, chemistry, computer programming, and math and statistics when appropriate. Foreign languages are also considered.
Training is provided in formatting and in operating professional recording equipment.
Staff working with volunteers and the recording process must also pass the oral reading text and maintain a high level of skill. Ongoing training, development and evaluation takes place to maintain and improve a professional operation. Leading the Field Nationally State of the art technology has always played a big part in providing high-quality reading material for the visually impaired. The world is moving to computer-based digital technology. We are in the process of changing from a recording base of analog to digital, preparing a strong foundation for whatever the industry will lead to in the future.