CA State Library Launches Discriptive Movie Program

Photograph: Movie Reel

The California State Library has recently launched a descriptive movie program for the patrons of the Braille and Talking Book Library.  The Library offers both DVD and VHS collections of descriptive videos that patrons may borrow for a two-week checkout. Descriptive videos have a second audio track with a narrator's voice describing the action on the screen during breaks in the dialog and sound effects. Patrons must use their own standard VCR or DVD player; the library does not loan this equipment.

1. Borrowers must be registered and active patrons in good standing with the Braille and Talking Book Library.

2. All borrowers must complete a Descriptive Video Borrower Registration Form. 

3. Patrons may borrow one descriptive video title in each medium at a time. Patrons may not check out another descriptive video title until the currently checked out title is returned to the library.

4. The loan period is 14 days. There will be no renewals.

5. Videos may be requested in the same way you request books: in person, by telephone, by email or through the online Braille and Talking Book Library Catalog. There is no limit to the number of requests patrons may place on file for future loan. The first available descriptive video on a borrower's request list will be sent automatically each time a title is returned.

Ordering Descriptive Videos

BTBL Patrons may order videos by providing a specific DV number or title.  Patrons may build a request list of specific descriptive video titles to ensure a continuous supply of videos. When a video is returned and checked in, the next available video on the request list is sent. If there are no video titles on a patron’s request list, nothing will be sent until the library is contacted with a request.

There is no limit to the number of requests you may place on file for future loan. The first available descriptive video on your request list will be sent automatically each time a title is returned.

Order descriptive videos in any of the following ways:

Online: Patrons may order Descriptive Videos and build individual request lists through our online Braille and Talking Book Library Catalog at www.btbl.library.ca.gov/klasweb.  You will need a User ID and Password to add movies from the online catalog to your request list. If you do not have a User ID and Password yet, please call and obtain them from your reader advisor or a librarian.

Email:  Email your descriptive video requests to: btbl@library.ca.gov

Telephone: (800) 952-5666 (toll free in CA) or (916) 654-0640

Follow the telephone menu prompts and make a request with your reader advisor directly or leave a voice mail.

Fax: Fax your requests to: (916) 654-1119

U.S. Mail:

Braille and Talking Book Library

P.O. Box 942837

Sacramento, CA 94237-0001

At the Library:

Make requests in person during open library hours, 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday except for State holidays.

Street Address:

California State Library, 1st floor

Braille and Talking Book Library

900 N Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

CLICK HERE to learn more at the CA State Library Website

CLICK HERE to download the Descriptive Video Borrower Registration Form

ALUMNUS FOCUS: John Martyn

Written By: Laura Koehler, WBRC Orientation and Mobility Instructor

Photo: WBRC Alumnus John Martyn

John Martyn, a former student of the WBRC, has taken his computer training to the next level.  His goal is to be an advocate working with leading software companies to help them redesign their software products to make them accessible for the JAWS user. 

So…what is a JAWS accessibility/scripting solution?  JAWS (Job Access With Speech) is a computer screen reader  program in Microsoft Windows that allows blind and visually impaired users to read the screen either with a text-to speech output or by a Refreshable Braille Display.  Most companies as well as the non-blind community are very unaware of this technology, how it works and most importantly that their products are not accessible to the JAWS user.  Scripting solutions (program redesigns) are required to make them accessible. 

Mr. Martyn has devoted a great deal of his time creating these JAWS scripting solutions, however, his goal is to continue to work with leading software companies to encourage them to redesign their products.  His website, doitblind.com, focuses on this mission and is showing leading software companies that it is profitable and equitable to provide accessibility.  Solutions of interest to the blind community are:

1. blindtunes.net greatly enhances capabilities for iTunes as well as makes it easy to manage your music library and purchase tracks for your iPod or iPhone.

2. rhapsodyblind.com opens up the world of online music and allows you full access to the popular music service Rhapsody.

3. Mr. Martyn also designed a site for the NFB that promotes the learning and reading of Braille.  The site should be up and running in March and can be accessed from doitblind.com.

Mr. Martyn was also recently a presenter at the CSUN Conference, demonstrating how his scripting solutions work for QuickBooks accounting software.  Congratulations, John, on your efforts towards making computer technology accessible for the blind!   

CLICK HERE to visit John's Website

March VIST Group Meetings Scheduled for Palo Alto and Stockton

Image: VIST Logo

The Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) group is open to all veterans, Active-Duty Service Members, family members and those interested in promoting the community of B/VI veterans in the region are welcome. Meetings have varying presentations and discussions of new technology, special training and many subjects relevant to B/VI persons.

The next Palo Alto VIST group meeting will be held on Thursday March 15^th from 11 am to 12 pm at the address below:

VAPAHCS Palo Alto Hospital

Building 100, 3^rd Floor, Room B3-136

3801 Miranda Ave

Palo Alto, CA 93401

VAPAHCS Palo Alto Campus Information

VAPAHCS Palo Alto Campus Map

The next Stockton VIST group meeting will be held on Thursday March 22^nd from 10:30 am to 11:30 am at the address below:

Stockton Community Center for the Blind

Conference Room

130 W Flora St

Stockton, CA 95202

(209) 466-3836

www.communitycenterfortheblind.org