Certification
To
be eligible for membership, a person must have a documented print disability,
such as a learning disability, visual impairment or other physical disability.
If you think you or your child might have a print disability and may benefit
from the services of RFB&D, you need to have certification of the disability.
How Does One Obtain Certification?
A qualified professional in the field of disability services, special education, medicine or psychology must attest to the physical basis of the visual, perceptual or other physical disability that limits the applicant's use of standard print.
Who is a Certifier?
Appropriate certifying experts may differ from disability to disability. The following lists examples of professionals who are qualified to certify an RFB&D applicant. It is in no way a comprehensive list. If you have any questions about who is a qualified certifying professional, please call RFB&D's Member Services Department at 800-221-4792.
Blindness and visual impairments:
- Physician
- Ophthalmologist
- Optometrist
- Vocational rehabilitation counselor
- Vision Teacher
Learning or perceptual disability:
- Neurologist
- Learning disability specialist
- Psychologist with a background in learning disabilities
The following are NOT professionals typically qualified to certify, unless they have a background in one of the above areas of expertise:
- Principals
- Vice principals
- Guidance counselors
- General education teachers
- Librarians
Bookshare or NLS Users?
Individuals, who are members of Bookshare or readers of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), have already submitted qualified disability certification information to these agencies under the regulations of U.S. Copyright law (17 USCS § 106). Individuals only need to obtain qualified disability certification once. RFB&D works with both organizations, who will confirm whether an applicant has already been certified by a competent authority with a visual, perceptual or other physical disability that limits the applicant's use of standard print.
Bookshare Membership:
On your application or online, you can indicate that you are a Bookshare member. RFB&D will confirm with Bookshare that you are a Bookshare member and certified with a print disability.
NLS Readership:
New applicants for RFB&D service, who are also active readers of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), may submit the Verification of NLS Readership form to their regional network librarian to verify NLS readership, as part of the disability certification process.
Download the Certification form in PDF format.
Download the Certification form in Word format.
Download the Verification of NLS Readership form in Word format.
Download the Verification of NLS Readership form in PDF format.
