Become a Member

RFB&D has membership programs for individual students and for schools.

Individual Memberships

Anyone who is unable to effectively read due to a vision impairment, physical disability or specific learning disability is eligible for service. An RFB&D membership provides access to our CV Starr Learning Through Listening® Library of more than 43,000 digitally recorded titles. Additionally, RFB&D's reference librarians can search the collections to find out for members what titles are available in specific subject areas.

RFB&D members are welcome to visit any of the three Los Angeles Unit recording studios where they can receive training on use of the playback devices or enjoy a tour of the recording facilities.

Membership Requirements

Our membership application requires the signature of a certifying professional who can attest to the basis of a physical, vision or learning disability. Qualified professionals include family physicians, school psychologists, special education teachers, educational therapists and optometrists.

There are three ways to get an application: You can call the Los Angeles Unit at (800) 732-8398 with your name and address and we'll drop one in the mail, you can download one from our national website, or you can also apply online.The cost associated with membership is minimal. There is a $65 one-time registration fee and a $35 annual fee. When you return your completed application form, you should include your payment of $100. The cost for each consecutive year of membership would be $35.

Eligibility Concerns

You do not need to be enrolled in school to register for RFB&D. Vocational materials, cookbooks and gardening manuals are examples of other educational matter in our library. Due to an agreement with textbook publishers, RFB&D can only provide service to people with physical, vision or learning disabilities. RFB&D audio textbooks cannot be used to help limited English speakers learn the language. They can be used with ESL students who have been assessed with reading disabilities.

Online catalogue of books

You may check our online catalogue of books. Anyone may browse through this catalogue. When you click onto "online catalogue of books" you will be advised that the books listed are for RFB&D members only. The notice is simply there to inform you that if you see a book that you want, you cannot borrow it unless you are registered for service. If you are unable to access the catalogue, you may call Member Services at (323) 664-5525 ext. 101 or fax (323) 664-1881 and provide us with the author, title, and copyright date or edition and we can look it up for you.

Scholastic Achievement Awards

The Los Angeles Unit of RFB&D seeks and rewards students who can serve as role models of success. Individuals who have demonstrated a consistent effort or who have shown significant improvement in the areas of academics and school or community involvement are encouraged to apply for our annual "Winslow Coyne Reitnouer Scholastic Achievement Awards." Monetary awards range up to $2,000. Students who are registered with an individual membership or through RFB&D's Learning Through Listening® Institutional Membership are eligible. Applications for the 2009 awards will be available in January, 2009.

We invite you to read the personal success stories of our June 2007 winners.

School Membership

RFB&D's Learning Through Listening® Institutional Membership

Any school can establish a direct partnership with us through RFB&D's Learning Through Listening® (LTL) Institutional Membership program. Registering for this program is an efficient way to provide an accessible education to students with special needs. A member of RFB&D's LTL® program may order books for all of its eligible students instead of registering each individual student with his or her own membership. If you are a teacher or administrator who would like more information about this program, please call Member Services at (323) 664-5525 ext. 101 or e-mail them at memberservices@rfbdla.org.

Choosing the Type of Membership

Individual memberships are good for students who can independently select and order their own books. RFB&D's LTL Institutional Programs are ideal for schools that order books for multiple students. Many program sites create their own on-site listening libraries by ordering common textbooks and popular novels and keeping them on hand for different students to use throughout the school year.

RFB&D's LTL programs and individual memberships work well when used together. For example, a school can use the program to order the standard curriculum for its students, while each student may have his or her own membership to borrow reading materials which supplement the curriculum.

Diagnosis and Testing

If you think you or your child may have dyslexia or a vision impairment, please visit our Other Resources page for a list of organizations that can assist you with diagnosis and testing.

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