Caregiving is both a rewarding and complex situation for families.
Finding affordable and reliable caregivers can be difficult, so many spouses, partners, parents, adult children, and other family members care for their loved ones without paid assistance.
Texas Health and Human Services provides web sites and programs to assist families with this complicated endeavor.
HHS Strengthen the Care You Give: https://hhs.texas.gov/services/health/support-caregivers.Too many caregivers neglect their own physical and mental well-being while caring for their loved ones. This site provides information on caregiver self-care, training and planning, and support and resources.
Take Time Texas: https://apps.hhs.texas.gov/taketimetexas.Take Time Texas connects caregivers of children and caregivers of older adults to information and resources related to respite care.
HHS Turn To: https://hhs.texas.gov/services/health/prevention/turn-to.This site provides information about sources for support. Sections include support for yourself, for your child, for your friends and family, and for your community
So, you’re moving to another state. That is always stressful. There are so many things to think about: packing all of your things, finding a new place to live, MOVING all of your stuff, and then unpacking. It is a BEAR. So don’t let your Talking Book Program service be just one more thing to worry about. We’re here to put your mind at ease.
First, no matter which state you move to, there is a Talking Book Program service. EVERYONE who is eligible for service can obtain service, no matter which state you live in. You can find your new state’s regional Talking Book Program at NLS Find Your Library.
We can transfer your service to whichever state you’re moving to. Once you’ve obtained your new address, give us a call about a week prior to your move at 1-800-252-9605, or send an email to tbp.services@tsl.texas.gov.
If you have a talking book player, let us know, and we’ll alert your new state that you’re bringing one with you. Please send all other materials, magazines, and book cartridges, as well as physical braille materials, back to us here in Texas.
We also realize you may need information about disability resources in your new state. Here are a few ideas for finding them:
First, ask your new Talking Book Program library staff. They may know and even have a list of disability-related organizations. In fact, you can also call us at the Texas library. We have a Disability Information and Referral Center, and our librarian can research agencies in other states.
2-1-1: Try calling 2-1-1 to locate local information and resources. This is a free information and referral service that is available in every state.
Eldercare Locator: 800-677-1116 (call or chat, Monday – Friday, 8 am – 9 pm, Eastern) Eldercare Locator can provide contacts for state agencies such as Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC’s) and Area Agencies on Aging (AAA’s) which can connect you to more specific resources.
The National Federation for the Blind (NFB) and the American Council for the Blind (ACB) both have links to state affiliates:
Maybe you’re moving abroad, which is very exciting! We STILL have you covered. The NLS Overseas Service assists US citizens who qualify for the service and live outside of the United States. Eligible non-US citizens who are dependents of active-duty military or diplomatic personnel may also apply for service. Just contact them to let them know to which country you’re moving. Here is the contact information for the Overseas Service below:
Overseas Service National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled 1291 Taylor Street, NW Washington, DC 20542
How exciting! You’re going off to college. It’s really your first true step into adulthood. So, it can be a little daunting too. But remember, you’re not alone; your talking book service can be there with you for this big transition.
If you’re going to a college in Texas, just call us to let us know your new contact information so we don’t lose touch!
But if you’re moving to a college out of state, don’t worry! No matter which state you move to, there is a talking book program service. And we can transfer your service to that state since you’ll be there for the majority of the year. Once you’ve obtained your new address, give us a call about a week prior to your move at 1-800-252-9605 or send an email to tbp.services@tsl.texas.gov.
Textbooks
Unfortunately, the Talking Book Program does not have textbooks in our collection. But we do often have supplementary materials. For example, you’re taking a course on African American literature. We won’t have your textbook in our collection, BUT we have a lot of books written by and about African American authors. We also have general books about the Harlem Renaissance. Once you get your syllabus, feel free to contact us and see which books are in our collection. Or, better yet, search BARD.
Organizations with Accessible-Format Materials for Students
Learning Ally: Learning Ally is a national nonprofit that provides reading materials in a variety of accessible formats for people with a wide range of reading disabilities, including blindness, visual impairment, dyslexia, and other learning differences. Students can browse the library, order and download audiobooks, and listen/study on PCs and Mac computers, smartphones and tablets running Android or Apple iOS, as well as on specialized assistive technology devices.
Bookshare®is a FREE, federally-funded library of ebooks designed for students with learning differences. Students who struggle to read traditional books are empowered to read in ways that work for them with specialized ebooks in audio, audio with highlighted text, large font, and braille.
Let us know if there is other information you need. For example, if you’re writing a paper and need some research pointers, give us a call. Remember, even though you’re an adult, we are still your public library.
Adventure is the theme for this year’s Summer Reading Program. This week we’re featuring books in our collection about travel. But we don’t want you just to read about adventure. Consequently, we’ve included links to resources with accessibility information for disabled travelers. We want everyone to be able to travel as easily and comfortably as possible. So, if you’ve been putting off that bucket list trip due to the travails of traveling with a disability, put it off no longer. And for those who prefer to experience travel through a good book, we have an armchair traveler section at the end.
The Right to Receive Information About Services and Aircraft Capabilities and Limitations.
he Right to Receive Information in an Accessible Format.
The Right to Accessible Airport Facilities.
The Right to Assistance at Airports.
The Right to Assistance on the Aircraft.
The Right to Travel with an Assistive Device or Service Animal.
The Right to Receive Seating Accommodations.
The Right to Accessible Aircraft Features.
The Right to Resolution of a Disability-Related Issue.
Know your Resources
Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality: is a non-profit organization that advocates and creates resources and opportunities for disabled travelers. Among their resources includes tips for travelers of all disabilities, a compilation of rights that disabled travelers should know, and lists of accessible activities in many cities. Some of their most valuable articles include:
How to travel with a speech impairment
How to travel with a sight impairment or blindness
How to travel with a hearing impairment or deafness
Autism and airport travel safety tips
How to travel with an older adult
Avis Rent A Car Launches “Avis Access” for Travelers with Disabilities
Toll-Free Hotline for Air Travelers with Disabilities
U. S. Airport Sensory Rooms:Sensory rooms enhance the airport experience for travelers with autism and special needs by providing soft lighting and other features to reduce anxiety before a flight.
Travel How to Books
ACCESS ANYTHING: I CAN DO THAT! ADVENTURING WITH DISABILITIES by Andrea Jehn Kennedy (DB 69444)
AIR TRAVEL FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS by Cory Lee (DB 115733)
TWENTY-TWO ACCESSIBLE ROAD TRIPS: DRIVING VACATIONS FOR WHEELERS AND SLOW WALKERS by Candy Harrington (DB 75991)
Armchair Travel Books
I DIDN’T HEAR THE DRAGON ROAR by Frances M. Parsons (DB 28448, BR 07658)
I’LL PUSH YOU: A JOURNEY OF 500 MILES, TWO BEST FRIENDS, AND ONE WHEELCHAIR by Patrick Gray (DB 89784)
MILO’S EYES: HOW A BLIND EQUESTRIAN AND HER “SEEING EYE HORSE” RESCUED EACH OTHER by Lissa Bachner (DB 110604, BR 24622)
SENSE OF THE WORLD: HOW A BLIND MAN BECAME HISTORY’S GREATEST TRAVELER by Jason Roberts (DB 62703, BR 16660)
SEVEN-TENTHS: LOVE, PIRACY, AND SCIENCE AT SEA by David Fisichella (DB 71749, BR 19090)
SITES UNSEEN: TRAVELING THE WORLD WITHOUT SIGHT by Wendy S. David (DB 73854)
TRAVELS IN A BLUE CHAIR: ALASKA TO ZAMBIA, USHUAIA TO ULURU; A SERIES OF SHORT STORIES by Walt Balenovich (DB 67926)
UNHEARD: A MEMOIR OF DEAFNESS AND AFRICA by Josh Swiller (DB 67060)
UNSEEN TRAIL: THE STORY OF A BLIND HIKER’S JOURNEY ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL by Michael O. Hanson (DBC 02612)
YEAR OF SUNDAYS: TAKING THE PLUNGE (AND OUR CAT) TO EXPLORE EUROPE by Edward D. Webster (DB 64156, BR 15594)
