History
Assistive Media was inspired by Kenneth Harmon Erdody, a life-long diabetic and an avid reader. Although never becoming blind, Kenneth's diabetic retinopathy was always a “what if” concern for his son, David, who canvassed the availability of accessible audio-based reading materials, and discovered that less than 5% of U.S. publications were provided in an alternative audio format.
In 1996, David established Assistive Media as a self-financed 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and with a small cadre of readers began producing and distributing spoken-word recordings of otherwise inaccessible materials on audiocassette to participating libraries of The Library of Congress-National LIbrary Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
Soon after, with the advent of online digital audio formats such as RealAudio, direct distribution of recordings shifted to an Assistive Media web site.
Purpose
Assistive Media recognizes that more than 95% of printed works, a major source of information, culture, and education are originally published inaccessible to those with visual and text reading barriers. Assistive Media is a progressive and enabling force that seeks to close this gap, thereby heightening educational, cultural, and quality-of-living standards which leads to independence and integration into the mainstream of our society and community life.
How we do it
Assistive Media produces digital audio spoken-word recordings from reputable mainstream periodicals providing an eclectic mixture of interesting and educational material. We offer our online service with no membership sign-on requirements or disability status verifications. Each copyright holder has provided Assistive Media permission to offer their works via spoken-word audio in this free and open way.
Beneficiaries
According to The World Health Organization over 300 million people are visually impaired worldwide, 45 million of them are blind. The blind population in the U.S. is roughly 10 million. Through assistive technologies such as screen readers, refreshable Braille displays, and spoken-word audio, a person who is blind can navigate the Internet efficiently and effectively. Due to its direct online outreach, Assistive Media easily serves a substantial world-wide clientele.
