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L.A.
Unit History
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic started humbly in New York
City by a single dynamic woman who wouldn’t take no for an answer.
If blinded veterans of World War II could listen to their textbooks,
they could continue their education. This was Anne T. Macdonald’s
idea in 1948. She established the first studio for recording textbooks
in the New York City Public Library, and as the demand grew, others
were established around the country.
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In 1951, the Los Angeles Junior League Braille
Committee sponsored the establishment of a local unit of
what was known as Recording for the Blind, Inc. Its home
was the First Congregational Church. They had one soundscriber
and 1,000 disks sent to them from the National Headquarters.
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By
1956, the Los Angeles Unit of Recording for the Blind had
developed its own donor base, formed a Board of Directors,
hired a part-time Studio Director, replaced the original equipment
with tape recorders and attracted 75 volunteers.
The National Charity League provided the Hollywood location for
RFB-LA in 1963. By 1970, RFB-LA was one of the most productive studios
in the nation. 365 volunteers recorded thousands of hours, serving
hundreds of blind students locally, and providing a steady stream
of books to the CV Starr Learning Through Listening® Library at
Princeton for the use of members everywhere.
In 1988, as the demand for recorded textbooks continued to grow,
grants from TRW, Inc. and the National Science Foundation funded
the opening of a studio in the South Bay which concentrated on technical
books. In 1992, the Board of Directors hired an Executive Director
to administer the expanding studios and assist in raising funds.
The San Fernando Valley Studio was opened in 1995. Also in 1995,
recognizing that 65% of its members had learning disabilities, RFB
officially changed its name to Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic;
RFB&D.
In 1999, RFB&D-LA became a pilot unit for testing the developing
digital audio software. This new technology allows volunteers to
record textbooks directly onto the computer. In February, 2001,
the South Bay became the first totally digital RFB&D studio
in the nation. All three of the L.A. Unit's recording studios are
now fully converted to digital audio.
The Los Angeles unit has now grown to nearly 500 volunteers, 19
recording booths and 24 paid staff members.
For a listing of our current Board of Directors and exceptional
staff, click here.
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© 2008 Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic®,
RFB&D®, Learning Through Listening®,
the "Heart and Headphones" design, and all trademarks
are owned by Recording
for the Blind & Dyslexic, Incorporated.
