Find Financial Freedom with Our Bridges Resource Library
This month, we highlight after-high school opportunities from free tuition to work incentives that help blind/low vision students Find Financial Freedom!
This week, we check out the great resources and services our Maryland Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled (LBPD) provides.
Bridges’ Support Always Available
Your Bridges Technical Assistance Center staff are eager to help you anytime for anything. We have great relationships with staff at LBPD, and we look forward to the opportunity to connect you with them.
About the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD) serves as Maryland’s branch of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print-disabled. In addition, LBPD provides a wealth of other resources and services for its patrons in Maryland.
LBPD offers its services and resources at no charge to eligible individuals. An individual may become an LBPD patron if (1) the person resides in Maryland and (2) the person cannot read or use regular print materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations …This includes those who are blind, have a visual disability, or have a physical disability that prevents reading.” From LBPD Frequently Asked Questions web page.
Please check out the Bridges Resource Library’s Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled entry for more details.
LBPD Resources
Braille and large print hard copy reading materials
LBPD will ship these materials to you and provide materials to return them via email – all at no cost. You may peruse available titles in the LPBD Online Catalog.
Accessible electronic reading materials for download
Find out more in the Bridges Resource Library’s NLS and BARD entry.
Braille eReader
The LBPD can loan a 20-cell refreshable braille display at no cost to any LBPD patron. While it is technically a loaner device, you are in charge of it, and you do not need to return it over holiday breaks, the summer, or upon graduation. Find out more in the Bridges Resource Library’s Braille eReader entry.
Free Bookshare Accounts
LBPD offers its patrons free Bookshare accounts. Find out more about Bookshare in the Bridges Resource Library About Bookshare entry.
LBPD Services
Braille On Demand Service
Order up to one hard-copy braille title per month through the NLS Braille On Demand program. The title must already be in the NLS or BARD collection, but, when requested, NLS will emboss and send the full volume to the requester at no cost. Please reach out to the Free Bridges Helpdesk for more information.
Maryland Accessible Textbook Program (MAT Program)
LBPD offers a terrific resource for students taking college courses (including college courses taken in dual enrollment programs). The MAT program will convert your college textbooks into your choice of files. Find out more in the Bridges Resource Library’s Accessible College Textbook Program for Maryland Students entry.
Youth Services @ LBPD
LBPD has a Youth Services Librarian who is dedicated to helping individuals, families, and educators access the tools and information they need to engage in a lifetime of reading and learning.
Additionally, throughout the year, the LBPD offers periodic in-person and online programs. These include:
Check the current offerings on the Youth Services @ LBPD website.
Contact the Youth Services Librarian directly
Via email at: kidsdesk.lbpd@maryland.gov
Via phone at: (410) 230-2455
Other services from the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
In addition to free access to hard copy and accessible digital books and magazines, the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD) offers other great services.
Braille instruction
The LBPD offers in-person braille instruction in Baltimore. Volunteer instructors provide these free courses. Contact the Library for details on dates and times of current courses.
Braille embossing in Baltimore
The Library in Baltimore has a braille embosser available for use. LBPD patrons may emboss up to twenty (20) pages using this service.
How Do I Become an LBPD Patron?
Apply! Note: The application includes a portion where a “certifying authority” confirms that you are eligible to become an LBPD patron. Download, complete, and submit an application using:
Please check out the Bridges Technical Assistance Center Resource Library today!
Contact us
Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Bridges Technical Assistance Center’s Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:
- Our Accessible web form
- Email: Helpdesk@IMAGEmd.org
- Text or Leave a Voice mail message: (410) 357-1546
- Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page or Facebook Messenger
This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.