ACB Focus: Literacy

20260728 1800 LUA Presents News and Updates at NLS Originally Aired on ACB Media NLS Director Jason Broughton and Deputy Director Jason Yasner shared developments at the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. The session addressed upcoming initiatives, the service's future, and questions about programs and services. Presenters: Jason Broughton, Director, and Jason Yasner, Deput...

20260728 1600 LUA Presents Meet the Narrator Originally Aired on ACB Media Participants joined an interactive conversation with Talking Book narrator MacKenzie Beyer, with questions welcome and a possible live reading. Her narration credits included The Best Thing by Mariana Capata, A Precious Jewel by Mary Balogh, and Bummer Summer by Ann Martin. Facilitated by Ralph Smitherman, Secretary, Librar...

20260725 0800 BRL and AABT Breakfast Originally Aired on ACB Media Rejuvenate Your Knowledge of the History of Braille Participants learned about the history of braille at the Missouri School for the Blind and discussed contemporary braille use, including technology and Protactile for people who were deafblind. Hands-on materials were available. Find out more at https://acb-focus-literacy.pinecast...

20260717 1700 Film Preview - Brailled It Originally Aired on ACB Media Participants previewed BRAILLED IT, a film in which young braille readers and writers documented their experiences at the Braille Challenge in Los Angeles. The event brought together leading under-18 braille readers and writers from the English-speaking world. By giving participants cameras, the film enabled them to tell their...

20260717 1100 Seeing Braille, Wait, I Thought I Had to Feel Braille Originally Aired on ACB Media Neva Fairchild presented Seeing Braille, a PC program that enabled blind or sighted presenters to demonstrate braille to sighted audiences in person or online. The program explored dot positions, letter patterns, numbers, punctuation, and uncontracted or contracted words and phrases. It helped users l...

20260716 1700 LUA Presents Voices and Access and Freedom through a Conversation on Book Banning Originally Aired on ACB Media The session explored the definition, history, and growing impact of book banning on access to information. Participants discussed who decided which content was appropriate and how those decisions affected education, libraries, and society. The discussion addressed equity co...

20260716 1530 LUA Presents Unlocking Independence in Reading with Bookshare Originally Aired on ACB Media Participants explored Bookshare, described as the world's largest accessible library of published copyrighted books, and its role in reading and learning for people with print disabilities. They learned to navigate the platform, download books in accessible formats, and use reading tools to pe...

20250709 1600 Yes Braille Can be Fun Originally Broadcasted July 9, 2025, on ACB Media   Participants joined their Braille Revival League friends at an in-person convention session to test your trivia knowledge about braille, its history, and the Braille Revival League, as well as see what other fun things we have in store. And by the way, there were prizes!!       Find out more at https://acb-foc...

20250708 1430 LUA Presents a Q and A with the NLS Director Originally Broadcasted July 8, 2025, on ACB Media 2   NLS Director Jason Broughton brought us up to speed with happenings at NLS and answered our questions about this most important service.   Presenter: Jason Broughton, Director, NLS, Washington, DC   Facilitator: Paul Edwards, Jacksonville, FL     Find out more at https://acb-focus-liter...

20250708 1300 LUA Presents Up Close and Personal with Talking Book Narrator Gary Tipton Originally Broadcasted July 8, 2025, on ACB Media 2   Gary Tipton is a long-time narrator at the American Printing House for the Blind, and has read an amazing 789 books in all genres from cookbooks to fantasy.   Presenter: Gary Tipton, Louisville, KY   Facilitator: Ralph Smitherman, LUA Secretary, Brandon, MS...

20250627 1300 Author Talk by a Survivor of the World War II Nazi Atrocities Originally Broadcasted June 27, 2025, on ACB Media 4   Simone Arnold-Liebster has been a lifelong advocate to ensure that future generations never forget past religious atrocities. She actively promotes an environment where peace, tolerance and human dignity can flourish. The condensed version of Simone's book, "Facin...

20250626 1430 LUA Presents the Journey from Print Book to Talking Book Originally Broadcasted June 26, 2025 on ACB Media 3   Presenters from NLS detailed the process a book goes through in its journey to becoming available as an audiobook on BARD.   Presenter: Alice Baker O'Reilly, NLS, Washington, DC.   Facilitator: Brian Charlson, Watertown, MA.   Find out more at https://acb-focus-literacy.pine...

20250626 1300 LUA Presents the New DA2 Player and the NLS My Talking Books Smart Speaker Skill Originally Broadcasted June 26, 2025 on ACB Media 3   Don Olson, customer service specialist and Zhe Huang, Patron Education and Training Specialist familiarized attendees with the new DA2 talking book player which will shortly be available and will allow an NLS patron to download books directly from BAR...

20250626 1130 Making Braille Music Accessible By Touch Originally Broadcasted June 26, 2025 on ACB Media 2   While blind musicians naturally hear music, reading it is also possible - and empowering - through Music Braille. This session offered an introduction to the Music Braille system, including its history, how it differs from literary braille, and the ways modern technology is transforming acc...

20240709 1430 Update from NLS Director Originally Broadcasted July 9, 2024, on ACB Media 2   Attendees spoke with the Director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Jason Broughton. He updated us on changes at the National Library Service and answered our questions on what we can expect in the years to come.   Edited By: Regina Marie Brink   Find out more at https://acb...

20240709 1300 Meet the Talking Book Narrator Originally Broadcasted July 9, 2024, on ACB Media 2   As in years past, we once again get to listen to and ask questions of a wonderful talking book narrator, Mare Trevathan, who records at both Books to Life and Talking Book Publishers Inc. She is a perennial favorite and is likely to read a bit from a couple of her long list of NLS titles. Come early...

20240709 0730 BRL Breakfast Speaker Originally Broadcasted July 9, 2024, on ACB Media 2   Edited By: Mary Ann Grignon Find out more at https://acb-focus-literacy.pinecast.co

20240629 1530 Writers Workshop - Book Banning-The Threat and Some Solution Originally Broadcasted June 29, 2024, on ACB Media 2   This discussion highlighted the current instances and dangers of banning books and how it relates to the past. Panelists shared stories focusing on the detrimental effect upon blind and low vision children and adults, as well as people with disabilities and other minori...

20240628 1400 You Get What You Pay For Originally Broadcasted June 86, 2024, on ACB Media 3   If you find yourself unwilling to wait for the next book in a series or needing access to a niche title, you will find this session on where to go if you are willing to pay for the privilege to be a game changer. Whether you pay by the title, by the month or through an annual membership fee, there are com...

20240627 1530 Why You Should Get a Public Library Card Originally Broadcasted June 27, 2024, on ACB Media 3   Some Talking Book library users are also proud card-carrying public library users. Attendees learned how they might take advantage of their local public library to access services that could reduce their reliance on pay to play services to access books, music, videos and more. This session...

20240627 1400 Writing Image Description for Graphic Novels and Other Highly Visual Content Originally Broadcasted June 27, 2024, on ACB Media 4   Staff of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) Media Lab team discussed the evolution of their approach to writing image descriptions of graphic novels and picture books, presenting challenges they have faced and best practi...

20240627 1400 What Can be Accomplished When We Work Together Originally Broadcasted June 27, 2024, on ACB Media 3   Talking Book libraries can do much more than send out books and magazines. Attendees heard how Floridians can access locally produced books and periodicals, videos, and how to work in collaboration with their local talking book library to enhance services. Participants also heard how...

20240627 1230 What is the Braille Challenge Originally Broadcasted June 27, 2024, on ACB Media 2   Attendees learned how it works and the nuts and bolts of starting one locally.   Edited By: Darcy Burnard   Find out more at https://acb-focus-literacy.pinecast.co

20230705 0700 BRL Breakfast Originally Broadcasted July 5, 2023, on ACB Media 3   Special guest, Martine Abel-Williamson, President, World Blind Union, Auckland, New Zealand.   Edited By:  Doug Hunsinger   Find out more at https://acb-focus-literacy.pinecast.co

20230704 1430 Library Users of America meet with NLS Deputy Director Jason Yasner ** Originally Broadcasted July 4, 2023, on ACB Media 3** Participants met with NLS Deputy Director Jason Yasner Edited By: Tim Cumings Find out more at https://acb-focus-literacy.pinecast.co