Statewide access to library materials for the blind and visually impaired, or those certified as unable to read normal print, is provided by the Braille and Talking Book Library at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown and the Talking Book Library at the Worcester Public Library. Perkins serves patrons in eastern and western Massachusetts, and Worcester serves patrons in central Massachusetts. Both libraries receive funding for statewide services from the MBLC.
Many libraries throughout the Commonwealth are designated access centers and offer special assistive aids and technology, such as screen readers, assistive listening systems, mobility devices, and speech recognition software.
Grant Opportunities
All types of libraries are eligible to apply for the Access for All. Grant awards range from $7,500 to $20,000, used to plan and launch a project based on the specific needs identified by the library and funded on a two-year implementation schedule. A library scan and community assessment must be completed at the beginning of the grant process.