Alternate Reading Methods for Individuals with ALS

Reading is a very relaxing and enjoyable hobby that should not end with
increased upper extremity weakness. When you are no longer able to physically
access books, newspapers, and other print material, there are many options to
retain your ability to access reading material.  

There is one commercially available page turner (GEWA Page Turner BLV-6
http://www.zygo-usa.com/blv6.htm), but it is not that effective, and it costs
approximately $3000. With a page turner you are limited to one book at a
time, and you are limited to those physical books that the device was
designed to work with.  

The better way to access printed material is through audio recordings or
electronically. This can be done by viewing printed material on a computer
screen and/or listening to recordings of books/newspapers. 

1. FREE - ALS Association Listening Library - The Great New York Chapter of
   the ALS Association has some books on tape available for loan. Call Chris
   Dunn at 212/720-3044 for more information. 

2. FREE - Library Services - The New York Public Library -
   http://ebooks.nypl.org and The New Jersey State Library -
   http://www.njstatelib.org  have many electronic and audio books available
   for free. (You can also get movies and other videos for free.) Some
   services are available to all library cardholders. Some special services
   may require some documentation of your disability. Your local branch can
   help you discover what services are available to you. Most local library
   branches have audio books available for check out.  

3. FREE - Project Gutenberg - http://www.promo.net/pg offer famous and freely
   available important texts, over 10,000 books currently available. 

4. FREE - National Library Service - http://www.loc.gov/nls offers books on
   tape free of charge to people with disabilities. 

5. FREE - Classic Bookshelf - http://www.classicbookshelf.com offers classic
   books with the ability to change the color and font of the reading
   material. Many people have trouble reading electronically but with this
   website you can see the font and the color to your liking. 

6. FREE - Children's Storybooks Online - http://www.magickeys.com/books
   offers illustrated stories for children of all ages. 

7. FREE - Aurora Ministries - http://www.audiobiblesfortheblind.org provides
   a free copy of the Bible on cassette tape/CD/MP3 to anyone who cannot
   physically access the Bible. They have the Bible available in almost 70
   different languages. 

8. FREE/PAY FOR SERVICE - In Touch Networks - http://www.intouchnetworks.net
   provides a broadcast of reading service for may popular newspapers and
   other print media, including New York Times. If you access the service via
   the internet it free of charge. If you want to tune into the service with
   a special radio, You pay a one-time fee for the radio, but the service is
   free. 

9. PAY FOR SERVICE - Bookshare - http://www.bookshare.org is a large database
   of books scanned by users that can be read on the computer screen and/or
   listed to on a computer. There is a $50 annual fee. 

10. PAY FOR SERVICE - Audio-to-Go - http://www.audiotogo.com offered books on
    tape or CD that are shipped to your home for a monthly fee. 

11. PAY FOR SERVICE - Audible - http://www.audible.com and Sounds Good -
    http://www.soundsgood.com offer digital audio books, radio shows, and
    audio versions of poplar magazines and daily newspapers for a monthly or
    yearly fee. The items are downloaded to handheld devices or personal
    computers. 

Submitted by:

Antoinette Verdone, ATP
Assistive Technology Specialist
ALS Association, Greater New York Chapter
116 John St., Suite 1304
New York, NY  10038
212/720-3054
212/619-7409 fax
verdone@als-ny.org

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I wanted to add Microsoft Reader to the list-
http://www.microsoft.com/reader/default.asp 

Margaret Cotts

