Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): About RFB&D
Table of contents:
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General
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Publishers and Copyright
General
Q: What is RFB&D?
A: RFB&D® or Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic®, a nonprofit volunteer organization, is the nation's largest educational lending-library serving people who cannot effectively read standard print because of visual impairment, dyslexia or other physical disability. RFB&D was founded in 1948 by Anne T. Macdonald to address the needs of the growing number of soldiers who were blinded in action during World War II and who were unable to take advantage of a free education through the GI Bill due to their disability.
Today, RFB&D serves individuals with print disabilities from kindergarten through college and into their adult careers with educational content needed for their academic and personal success.
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Q: When would someone use RFB&D's audiobooks?
A: One of the most common places audiobooks are used is in schools to provide auditory learners and individuals with print disabilities with access to the curriculum. Students use audiobooks right in the classroom at listening centers, in small groups or during individual assignments. Many students also use audiobooks at home when completing homework assignments.
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Q: How can someone listen to an RFB&D audiobook?
A: RFB&D offers several options for listening to audiobooks including downloadable books, desktop devices, portable players and computer software programs for both PCs and Macs. Visit RFB&D's online catalog to learn more about the playback devices.
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Q: What is a print disability?
A: A print disability can be a learning disability, a visual impairment or a physical disability. Although the manners in which the disability occurs are very different, they all share one characteristic: individuals diagnosed with a print disability cannot access print in the standard way.
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Q: What can a person with print disabilities do to improve their educational experience?
A: The Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) states that all learners must be provided with equal access to educational materials. It is the legal responsibility of the school to ensure that this occurs, but students can take an active role by:
- Educating themselves about their disability
- Becoming their own advocates. Students should familiarize themselves with IDEA and No Child Left Behind (NCLB) to make sure they are getting all of the rights they are entitled to. Students often know what strategy or accommodation works best for them and they should share this with their teachers
- Obtaining accessible print materials. For example, students with print disabilities can order their books from RFB&D in a digitally recorded CD format (RFB&D's AudioPlus® books) or in a downloadable format (AudioAccessSM or Downloadable AudioPlus)
- Implementing assistive technology (AT) tools
- Joining Internet (e.g. listservs) or in-person support groups. Visit
our Resources page for more information.
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Publishers and Copyright
Q: Why does RFB&D record in specialized formats and why do I need specialized equipment to listen to RFB&D's audiobooks?
A: The audiobooks you receive from RFB&D are not like the standard CDs or MP3s you play on your stereo at home or in your car. RFB&D produces CDs and downloadable audio textbooks that are protected and playable only on specialized devices and software.
RFB&D records in specialized formats to comply with US copyright law and to protect the property of the publishers whose works we make available in accessible formats. U.S. Copyright law allows us to duplicate titles provided we offer them in specialized formats, and only to a qualified population. In our case, that population includes people with documented disabilities, such as a learning disability, visual impairment or other physical disability.
If you choose to listen to RFB&D's AudioPlus books, you'll need a specially equipped CD player, software or a proper playback system. RFB&D offers for sale a selection of portable and desktop players and CD-reading software for students, teachers and professionals to use in the classroom, office or at home. We also offer listening accessories, such as headsets and adapters. These items are described in detail when you visit the Players & Accessories page. If you are using AudioPlus Downloadable, visit the AudioPlus Downloadable Technical Support website if you have any questions or need help.
If you choose to listen to RFB&D's AudioAccess downloadable audio textbooks, you will need to make sure you have a proper playback system or portable media player. Visit our AudioAccess Technical Support website if you have any questions or need help using AudioAccess.
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Q: What is a Copyright Acknowledgment form?
A: To order digital books you must obtain and sign a Copyright Acknowledgment Form. RFB&D members who reside outside of the United States, unless they are US citizens living temporarily abroad for studies or military service, cannot order books in a digital format. Please see Can I place a book order outside of the US?
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Q: Is RFB&D required to seek copyright permission from publishers to produce and distribute books in accessible format?
A: Prior to 1996, RFB&D contacted individual publishers and copyright holders for permission to create and distribute audio books in accessible format for individuals with print disabilities. In September of 1996, Congress amended U.S. Copyright Law, declaring that the reproduction and distribution of accessible versions of publishers' works to blind and other disabled individuals by authorized entities is "not an infringement" of copyright. The amendment is called the "Chafee Amendment" after Senator Chafee who advocated for its passage. With the passage of this amendment RFB&D no longer needs to submit individual requests to publishers for U.S. copyright permission, as we meet the qualifications of an authorized entity. RFB&D serves only individuals with print disabilities, as defined in the Chafee legislation, and members must submit documentation of their disability by a competent authority. See further details on eligibility and certification.
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Q: How does RFB&D work with publishers to produce accessible versions of their books?
A: RFB&D works in partnership with the major textbook publishers to acquire and produce the core textbooks that are used in K-12 school and college curriculums. In order to reduce the cost of acquisition of print copies of texts for recording, our collection development librarians work closely with publisher contacts, which provide complimentary copies of their textbooks for recording. RFB&D acknowledges publisher gift-in-kind donations in our annual report. Publishers also refer individuals, who contact them requesting accessible versions of their titles, back to RFB&D, for provision of an accessible, recorded textbook.
