What JBI Offers People who are Blind, have Low Vision, or are Print Disabled
by Livia Thompson, JBI Executive Director
I wanted to let you know about a few of JBI’s services, which may be of help to you as you address the accessibility needs of your community:
1. Student Scholarships for Blind Undergraduate and Graduates ($2,500 to $15,000)
Jewish students who are legally blind and will be attending an accredited college or university are eligible to apply for the Wolfson Fund Merit Award Program. Awards range from $2,500 – $15,000 with the possibility of renewal. Application deadline: April 4, 2024: www.wolfsonfund.org
2. Free Circulating Library of 13,000+ audio, braille, and large print books
From fiction to nonfiction, poetry to cookbooks, our accessible texts are delivered directly to our patrons’ doorsteps free of charge. We also provide liturgical texts for all Jewish denominations.
3. Individual and Organizational Custom Materials and Requests for Accessible Texts
JBI creates custom accessible materials such as songbooks, a special reading for an event, or a religious school textbook, so that all community members who are blind, have low vision, or are print disabled can actively participate in their Jewish community. Custom materials for individuals are permanent gifts and do not need to be returned. We create custom materials for organizations and businesses, too. If your organization is looking to create accessible versions of texts (programs, outreach, etc.), signage, or other materials to support accessibility in your programming, JBI can accommodate custom materials and large orders for an affordable fee.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions. With any library related questions, you can also reach out to our Head Librarian, Arlene Arfe, at aarfe@jbilibrary.org or 212-532-7393.
We are grateful to you for supporting accessibility and helping JBI reach all those in your community who could benefit from these free services. We encourage you to use and adapt the following blurb and graphic to share via social media, newsletters, or other announcements:
Are you, or someone you know, a member of the Jewish community who could benefit from access to braille, audio, or large print texts and other accessible book clubs and programs? JBI is a nonprofit organization committed to providing people who are blind, have low vision, or are print disabled access to Jewish culture, heritage, education, religious life, and community. Our resources include access to a circulating library, liturgical texts, a digest of accessible journals and media, and support for creating custom texts you may need but not have in an accessible format. Our services are provided free of charge to individuals who cannot read standard print. For information on our Nathan L. and Suzanne K. Wolfson Scholarship ($2,500–$15,000 merit award) for blind undergraduate and graduate students visit www.wolfsonfund.org. Find JBI at www.jbilibrary.org, 212-889-2525. We look forward to working with your organization and assisting in your efforts to further enhance accessibility and inclusion. For additional information or questions, please feel free to reach out to our Head Librarian, Arlene Arfe, at aarfe@jbilibrary.org or 212-532-7393.