Events Blog, WLBPD Services | Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled

Services & Events

Services

In addition to the collections to which we provide access, the WLBPD@AADL offers a variety of services. For more information on the services provided by AADL to all, take a look at the Services page at aadl.org.

Large Print Books by Mail

All WLBPD@AADL patrons now have the option of selecting titles from the Ann Arbor District Library’s entire Large Print collection to be mailed to you at home for free. That’s over 3,000 youth, teen, and adult titles for you to choose from!

Large Print books will be sent free through the mail just as other WLBPD@AADL materials, except they will arrive in a zippered mailbag. These zippered bags will have a mailing label on one side. Just like with the cassette and digital books, you simply flip the address label over and slip it back into its sleeve to return your Large Print books.

You are required to have an AADL card account since these books will be coming from the AADL’s collection (and not the WLBPD collection). As a member of the WLBPD@AADL, you are eligible for an AADL card at no charge as long as you remain a resident of Washtenaw County. If you already have one, call (734) 327-4224 or email wlbpd@aadl.org to set up the service, then begin requesting Large Print books.

The system is not set up to automatically select titles for you. You can call (734) 327-4224; email wlbpd@aadl.org; or place holds yourself at http://aadl.org/myaccount. Also, if the book you want is currently checked out, staff can place a “hold” to place you in a queue and a copy will be mailed to you automatically when it is your turn. Please check our catalog to search for specific books or view all of our large print titles. You can also browse the large print titles specifically for New Large Print books, Hot Large Print books, or large print for children and for teens.

For more details about Large Print Books by Mail, click here.

Book Clubs to Go

Book Clubs To Go (BCTG) is a service of the Ann Arbor District Library that provides local book clubs with the convenience of complete kits for book discussions. There are currently over 95 titles available through BCTG.

As a service to low-vision book clubs:

WLBPD staff will place requests for digital or cassette copies of the selected book for all book club members.
WLBPD has the following resources (Book Club to Go Guides) available in digital audio format, which you may either download or request on a thumb drive; and/or large print format, which you may either download or request as a hardcopy: summary information and reviews of the title(s); author biography; a list of suggested discussion questions and read-alikes; tips for book groups; and evaluation forms so you can let us know what you think of the service.
Click here for a list of Book Club to Go Guides currently available in accessible formats.
Low-vision book clubs are not restricted to selecting only from the 95 titles available through BCTG. If at least six weeks notice is provided, and enough resources are available, large print and recorded versions of the resource folder can be developed for other titles on-demand.

Events

VISIONS 2012: What's New in Technology and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Vendor Fair

Wednesday, May 9, 2012
10am-3pm

Washtenaw Community College
Morris Lawrence Building
4800 E. Huron River Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48105

This 2012 VISIONS Vendor Fair is presented by the Ann Arbor District Library (which also serves as the Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled) and is cosponsored by the Michigan Commission for the Blind and Washtenaw Community College.

A variety of Michigan exhibitors will demonstrate the latest products and services for the blind and visually impaired. Magnifiers, electronic readers, Braille devices, library services, CCTVs, leader dogs, support services for the blind and transportation services are just a few of the many outstanding services and products on display.

Five hundred people attended the 2010 Visions Vendor Fair and this year's fair, featuring presentations addressing national, international and regional issues, promises to be even more eventful.

Presentations will also be offered each hour:

11:00 AM - Neil Bernstein, National Library Service For The Blind And Physically Handicapped
12:00 PM - Dr. Tamru Belay, Adaptive Technology Center for the Blind In Ethiopia/Africa
1:00 PM - The A T Guys, What's New In Assistive Technology?
2:00 PM - Scott Menzel, Superintendent of Washtenaw Intermediate School District

Free admission

Free parking

Sighted assistants

Product demonstrations

Speaker presentations

Refreshments for sale by the Michigan Commission for the Blind Business Enterprise Program

Click here for information on all upcoming Events at the AADL!

Submitted by Beth Manuel on Mon, 02/13/2012 - 9:17pm

Being Homeless In Washtenaw County: A Panel Discussion With The Washtenaw Housing Alliance

Join service and housing providers from across the community as they discuss the current state of homelessness in Washtenaw County, the innovative partnerships that have been created to address the need, and the next steps needed to end homelessness in our community.

The Washtenaw Housing Alliance (WHA) is a unique coalition of 28 non-profit organizations that serve those experiencing or are at risk of homelessness. The WHA and its member agencies have created a collaboration that harnesses the commitment, energy and resources of a major hospital system, the cities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, three major institutions of higher education, the private sector and the community at large to end homelessness in Washtenaw County. Join us Monday February 13, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in the Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room.

Submitted by iralax on Wed, 01/11/2012 - 7:42pm

Helping the Blind in Michigan

Terri Wilcox is Secretary for the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan. A goal of this 50 state organization is to increase literacy among the blind, and that means Braille. Braille is literacy for the blind just as reading print constitutes literacy for sighted people. Yet only ten percent of blind children are currently being taught Braille. Join Terri at the Downtown Library on Sat., Jan. 14, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm to learn more about this initiative and the many other ways she is working to level the playing field for everyone in Michigan.

Submitted by chynowethk on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 11:28pm

Living with Low Vision Support Group

Join the Living with Low Vision group each month at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center. Each meeting features a guest speaker or an activity for individuals with low vision. The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 2pm to 4pm. The next meeting is January 10th. If you have questions, contact Gale Oren at (734) 763-9468 or goren@umich.edu.

Submitted by iralax on Wed, 11/30/2011 - 6:56pm

Paralympic Powerlifter Medalist at AADL!

While Mary Stack was born with a rare medical condition called pseudohypoparathyroidism, which limits her mobility, she has competed in a range of adaptive sports since the age of sixteen. As a measure of how far her ability and determination have taken her, Mary recently returned from the ParaPan American Games in Mexico with a bronze medal for lifting 280 pounds! This gave her the first women’s Paralympic powerlifting medal ever for US women at these games. Mary works as a Sports Coordinator at Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living and is training for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. She will talk about this and other aspects of her life at the Malletts Creek Branch on Saturday, Dec. 10, 3-4:30 pm.

Submitted by iralax on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 5:12pm

Thirty Years Without Sight

Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled @ AADL welcomes Gerald Rickert, who has been dealing with blindness for 30 years (since the age of 17) to discuss the interesting turns his life has taken and his many accomplishments. The talk on Tues., Oct. 4 will cover his education, work experiences, owning a business, travel, sports and helping visually impaired people use adaptive technology. He practices his hard won skills with veterans through his job at the Ann Arbor VA Hospital, and is working to start a local bowling league especially for people who are blind.

Gerald Rickert | Malletts Creek Branch | Tues., October 4 | 7-8:30 pm

Submitted by hillary dorwart on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 4:21pm

Write Songs That Rock! With The Board Of Education

Rock songs

Ever wanted to perform a song you wrote yourself? Learn the tricks of the trade from the Seattle-based band, The Board of Education. BOE lead singer, children's novelist Kevin Emerson and his bandmates will give you some great tips at this songwriting session.

After jamming with them here, be sure to catch their performance at the library's summer reading kick-off event at Top of the Park later that night!

This event is co-sponsored by the Ann Arbor Summer Festival and 826Michigan.

Sunday June 19, 2011: 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

37 comments

Submitted by chynowethk on Wed, 06/08/2011 - 8:26pm

Older Michiganians Day 2011

omd11 omd11

Almost 800 older persons and advocates from across the state will converge on the State Capitol on June 15, from 9:50 am to 2:00 pm, to celebrate our growing senior population and urge elected officials to make policies and budget decisions that are senior-friendly.

The theme for this fourth annual rally, Older Michiganians Day 2011, is The Senior WAVE – We Advocate, Vote, and Enrich Communities. Older Michiganians Day is named for the state law that earmarks state funding for older adult services and establishes the Commission on Services to the Aging and the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging (OSA). The OSA and Commission oversee the network of sixteen Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). The state law makes approximately $30 million in state funds available for home delivered meals, adult day care, volunteer programs and other services each fiscal year.

Contact Ann Langford for more information and free tickets to this event by email at alangford@aaa1b.com or by phone at (248) 262-1282.

1 comment

Submitted by Stewart on Mon, 05/16/2011 - 6:45pm

Healthy Vision Month: Vision Screenings & More for All Ages

Vision Screenings Come to the Downtown library on Sunday, May 22, 1 - 4 PM for vision screenings. The screenings are available at no charge for all ages: babies through adults. At 1 PM, enjoy opening remarks by Dr. John Barletta of Huron Ophthalmology. At 2 PM, co-authors Madison and Malia will read their short story, “The Blind Porcupine”. The sisters were born blind and now have sight thanks to cornea tissue donors and the efforts of the Michigan Eye-Bank. At 3 PM, meet Paws With A Cause® Assistance Dogs. The Healthy Vision Month programs above are cosponsored by the Ann Arbor Host Lions Club, Michigan Eye-Bank and University of Michigan Taubman Health Sciences Library.

2 comments

Submitted by Stewart on Fri, 07/16/2010 - 4:43pm

Living Well with Low Vision, and the Science of Glaucoma

aadl.org

Did you or a loved one miss the April 15th library event, Living Well with Low Vision, and the Science of Glaucoma? The event addressed current treatments for people with low vision and was made possible by the National Institute of Health and co-sponsored by the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research and the UM Health Sciences Libraries.

The event was filmed and recorded and is available online, see the video or listen to the audio. You may also request the audio recording from WLBPD. Just call 734-327-4224, email wlbpd@aadl.org, or drop by any library location.

WLBPD is located at the Ann Arbor District Library. While the physical WLBPD collection is housed in the Downtown Library, library staff members at all AADL locations are available to assist you.

Hours:
Monday
      10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Tuesday - Friday
      9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday
      9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday
      12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Contact WLBPD by phone at (888) 460-0680 or (734) 327-4224, via email at wlbpd@aadl.org, or online using our Contact Us form.