Library-of-the-Blind

Resources

Additional resources, references, and links related to blind and visually impaired communication methodologies.

Organizations

International

• World Blind Union (WBU) - Global organization representing blind and partially sighted persons
• International Council on English Braille (ICEB) - International organization for English Braille standards
• International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind - Technology center providing resources and training
• International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) - Global coalition for eye health
• DeafBlind International - Global DeafBlind advocacy organization
• Helen Keller International - Global health and vision organization
• Christoffel-Blindenmission (CBM) - International development organization
• Sightsavers - Global eye health organization
• World Braille Council - International Braille coordination
• European Blind Union standards committee - EU Braille coordination

Regional

• American Printing House for the Blind (APH) - United States - Leading provider of educational materials and technology
• Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) - Canada - National organization providing services and advocacy
• Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) - United Kingdom - Leading sight loss charity
• African Braille Consortium - Africa - Regional organization promoting Braille across Africa
• New Zealand Braille Authority - New Zealand - National authority for Braille standards
• Australian Braille Authority - Australia - National authority for Braille standards
• Perkins School for the Blind - United States - Historical significance, leading educational institution
• ONCE (Spain) - Spain - Unique lottery-funded model for blind services
• Overbrook School - United States (Philadelphia) - Historical institution
• National Federation of the Blind (NFB) - United States - Major advocacy organization
• American Council of the Blind (ACB) - United States - Major advocacy organization
• American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) - United States - Research and advocacy organization
• Vision Australia - Australia - National organization
• Blind Foundation NZ - New Zealand - National organization
• NAB India - India - National organization
• JFVDB (Japan) - Japan - Japanese Federation of the Visually Disabled

Standards

Braille Standards

• Unified English Braille (UEB) - International standard for English Braille
• Bharati Braille - Unified standard for Indian languages
• ISO 13125 - Tactile map symbols standard
• BANA (Braille Authority of North America) - USA/Canada Braille standards
• UKAAF (UK Association for Accessible Formats) - UK Braille and accessible format standards
• ICEB (International Council on English Braille) - UEB governance
• World Braille Council - International Braille coordination
• European Blind Union standards committee - EU Braille coordination

Accessibility Standards

• WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) - International web accessibility standards (WCAG 2.2)
• Section 508 - United States accessibility law and standards
• EN 301 549 - European Union accessibility requirements for ICT products and services
• ADA Title III - United States - Public accommodation accessibility
• Equality Act 2010 - United Kingdom - Disability provisions
• AODA - Canada (Ontario) - Provincial accessibility law
• Disability Discrimination Act - Australia - National disability law
• JIS X 8341 - Japan - ICT accessibility standard
• KS X 9211 - South Korea - Web accessibility standard
• GB/T 37668 - China - Web accessibility standard
• ISO 24751 - Individualized adaptability and accessibility
• ISO 14289 (PDF/UA) - Accessible PDF standard

International Frameworks and Treaties

• Marrakesh Treaty - Copyright exception for accessible formats
• UN CRPD (Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities) - International disability rights treaty

Technology Resources

Screen Reader Software

• NVDA - Free, open-source screen reader for Windows
• JAWS - Commercial screen reader for Windows
• VoiceOver - Built-in Apple screen reader for macOS, iOS, and other Apple platforms
• Orca - Free, open-source screen reader for Linux

Braille Translation

• Liblouis - Open-source Braille translation library
• Duxbury Braille Translator - Commercial Braille translation software

Braille Display Manufacturers

• Freedom Scientific - Manufacturer of Braille displays and screen readers
• HumanWare - Manufacturer of assistive technology including Braille displays
• APH (American Printing House) - Manufacturer of educational and assistive technology products
• Orbit Research - Manufacturer of refreshable Braille displays

Educational Resources

Learning Braille

• Various national and regional organizations offer Braille instruction
• Hadley - Free online Braille courses and resources
• Braille Institute - Braille education and resources
• Local blind organizations and schools

Teaching Materials

• APH Braille Textbooks - Educational materials in Braille
• Tactile Graphics - Resources for creating tactile graphics
• Audio Description Training - Audio description training and resources

Research and Academic Resources

Journals

• Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness - Peer-reviewed journal on visual impairment
• Assistive Technology - Journal on assistive technology
• Disability Studies Quarterly - Disability studies publications
• Human-computer interaction research

Conferences

• CSUN Assistive Technology Conference - Annual conference on assistive technology
• International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs (ICCHP) - Biennial conference on assistive technology
• Various regional accessibility conferences

Historical Resources

Historical Documents

• Early Braille development documents
• Historical tactile script systems
• Evolution of accessibility technology

Museums and Archives

• Museums with tactile exhibits
• Archives of historical Braille materials
• Collections of early accessibility devices

Community Resources

Online Communities

• Blind Bargains - Community and deals for assistive technology
• AppleVis - Community for blind and low-vision Apple users
• r/Blind - Reddit community for blind and visually impaired users
• Technology user groups

Support Organizations

• Local and national blind organizations
• National Federation of the Blind (NFB) - United States advocacy organization
• American Council of the Blind (ACB) - United States advocacy organization
• Peer support groups

Contributing Resources

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