Missouri Assistive Technology

Missouri Alternative Communication Resource Directory

Audio Cassette Recordings

Audio cassette recordings may be used as an alternative communication for individuals who are blind or have some degree of vision loss, individuals with dyslexia or learning disabilities in the area of reading decoding or comprehension, and/or other individuals with disabilities whose reading skills preclude efficient access to traditional print information. Many individuals who use audio cassettes also use a fast speed tape recorder to more quickly " read " materials. If providing audio cassette materials for events such as speeches, discussions, and meetings with primarily auditory information, it is helpful to offer to provide the audio cassette prior to the event. Listening to an audio cassette during an event is very difficult. With prior access, an individual can review the information before hand, focus their attention on the auditory information presented during the event, and participate on an equal basis with others.

An agency may choose to produce its own audio cassette recordings of information or may wish to access an external resource to provide such conversion. If contracting for audio cassette recording, is it best to seek out an established service. Many recording services utilize volunteers and as a result their timeline for production of audio cassettes is dependent on volunteer availability. For this reason, it is helpful to allow for plenty of preparation time to assure that audio cassettes are produced within your required time frame.

Tips for producing audio cassette recordings

• The reader should be fluent in the language, have a clear voice, read at a moderate speed and, if possible, be knowledgeable in the content area.
• All background noise should be eliminated during the recording.
• The reader should identify themselves as the reader at the beginning of the recording.
• The document and the page number of the material being read should be identified on each side of the tape.
• Tabular, graphic and pictorial information must be presented orally.
• Personal messages or opinions must not be included.
• Unusual or difficult words should be spelled out.

Audio Cassette Resources

The following list of resources is not meant to be all inclusive but will provide a starting point for entities providing audio cassette resources.

Wolfner Library is a public library for persons unable to use standard print due to a physical disability. Wolfner offers materials on recorded audio cassettes and will loan cassette players for use with the recorded materials; provides free mail library service to the user's homes; has more than 375,000 fiction and non-fiction books and magazines for all ages; answers reference questions and provides research for users by telephone, mail, FAX, TTY or in person; and provides children's summer reading programs and other programs for children, including services to schools.

Talking Tapes primarily records textbooks and educational material for school age and post secondary education. Tapes can also be produced for individuals needing them for leisure reading beyond school population. A library with 6,000 volumes of reading material to check out is available. Talking Tapes currently has over 120 volunteer readers and duplicators for production of audio tapes. The usage fee for their service is minimal and they will mail tapes anywhere in the U.S. Braille labels are available for each tape.

Kansas City Low Vision Library is a special service of Alphapointe Association for the Blind. The library provides audio cassette recordings at no charge and is able to record textbooks, business materials and other materials.

Missouri Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, via agreement with the Jefferson City Correctional Center, converts print materials into audio-cassette, disk, large print and braille. While the primary purpose of the agreement is to produce alternative format material for staff and clients of Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, other agencies and individuals may use the service. Costs are charged based on the type of alternative format requested.