Content starts here
CLOSE ×

Search

Library of Congress Offers Free Book Service to Visually Challenged

Old womans hands, reading a book with braille language
VASILIS KARAFILLIDIS
AARP Bulletin and AARP The Magazine are among the periodicals and 150,000 books available to visually or physically challenged Americans through a free service of the Library of Congress.

With the help of a nationwide network of libraries, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) mails Braille publications and audio books to your door. You can also download them using the BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) mobile app. About 150,000 books and 75 magazines are available.

AARP is a partner of NLS, which started in 1931 and has served millions of people. It is accessible to individuals with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness or a physical disability that prevents them from reading or holding printed materials. For more information, go to That All May Read.

Get discounts on prescriptions, health exams, eye care and more — AARP Member Advantages »

“The goal is to make the reading experience as easy as possible so that they can manage it independently,” says NLS director Karen Keninger. “We know that there are a lot of people who would be eligible for service but who aren’t aware of it. We want them to know about the service and how they could benefit from it.”

Photo: vkara/iStock

Also of Interest

See the  AARP home page for deals, savings tips, trivia and more.  

Search AARP Blogs