Eligibility Criteria For Mississippi Talking Book Service
Individual Requirements:
An individual must meet at least one of the following:
- Cannot see standard-size print due to visual impairment or blindness
- Cannot hold a book or turn pages due to physical disabilities
- Have temporary disabilities due to injury, illness, or surgery
- Have a perceptual or reading disability
This includes individuals who have had a qualifying disability from birth, individuals who are disabled because of medical conditions or trauma, and individuals who become disabled as they age. Individuals who are blind or have a print disability and who have been honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States receive special priority.
Blindness is not the only qualifying condition. Those with low vision due to problems like macular degeneration, cataracts, or other issues are eligible. Physical conditions such as missing arms or hands, lack of muscle coordination, or prolonged weakness are qualifying conditions when their result is an inability to hold a book or turn pages. Persons with reading disabilities, such as dyslexia, and institutions serving clientele with qualifying conditions are also eligible.
Not sure if you qualify? Take this quiz to find out if you may be eligible.
Institutional Requirements:
Reading materials and assistive reading devices may be loaned to institutions, such as nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and schools for the blind, for use by qualifying persons only. Mississippi institutions or agencies providing service to clientele with qualifying disabilities also qualify for service.
Applications:
There are three ways to apply for service: through our online application, via a mailed or emailed PDF application, or by contacting the Talking Book Services department at 601-432-4151 or talkingbooks@mlc.lib.ms.us. You can use the links below to sign up.
Applications must be certified on the last page of the application by a certifying authority. A certifying authority is defined to include doctors of medicine; doctors of osteopathy; ophthalmologists; optometrists; registered nurses; therapists; professional staff of hospitals, institutions, and public or welfare agencies (e.g., social workers, case workers, counselors, rehabilitation teachers, and superintendents) and librarians. In the absence of any of these, certification may be made by a Talking Books librarian.
