Jun 29, 2026 Learn more about resources for the visually impaired
Accessing Reading Materials in Accessible Formats at Hussey-Mayfield
Hussey-Mayfield is proud to support patrons who are visually and physically impaired by providing accessible reading materials and connecting our community with national resources designed to make reading more inclusive.
Braille Collection in Our Library
Our collection includes a small but growing selection of Braille books. While many of these titles are geared toward early and young readers, they also serve as a helpful introduction for anyone interested in learning Braille or exploring tactile reading formats.
These materials can be easily located in our catalog by searching the keyword “Braille.” You can then look under FORMAT for BRAILLE and it will take you to our collection of materials. We encourage patrons to explore this collection as an accessible entry point into alternative reading experiences.
National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled
In addition to our local resources, patrons have access to a valuable national program offered through the Library of Congress: the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS).
NLS provides free audiobook and Braille library services for individuals who are unable to read standard print due to temporary or permanent visual, physical, perceptual, or reading disabilities. Through a nationwide network of cooperating libraries, NLS offers books and magazines in accessible formats that can be downloaded directly to a personal device or delivered free of charge through the U.S. Postal Service’s Free Matter program.
Established in 1931, the program has expanded over the decades to better serve a wide range of needs. Today, it includes services for children, music lovers, individuals with physical disabilities that affect reading, and users of refreshable Braille displays.
Who Qualifies and What’s Available
NLS services are available to any U.S. resident—or American citizen living abroad—who is unable to use standard print materials due to a qualifying visual or physical disability. Eligibility must be certified by a medical professional.
In addition to books and magazines, NLS also offers assistive tools such as bill readers, which identify currency by announcing the denomination through voice, sound patterns, or vibrations.
How to Get Started
Applications for NLS services can be completed through the Library of Congress website. Once approved, users gain access to a wide range of accessible materials designed to support independent reading and lifelong learning.