Reading is the one form of escapism that just about anyone can practice, regardless of income. Even so, roadblocks keep many folks from getting lost in a traditionally printed book. Thankfully for New Mexicans, staffers at the New Mexico State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled have committed themselves to remove those barriers.

Charlotte Jusinski chats with Tim Donahue, Reader Services and Outreach Librarian, and Berdina Nieto, Reader Advisor, both of whom work at LBPD, which is part of the New Mexico State Library system. They discuss LBPD's impressive list of services, the value of providing patrons access to physical readers and mobile apps, and what's to love about Santa Fe (spoiler alert: it's everything!)

LBPD programs are free and available to all who qualify with various impairments along the spectrum of sightedness. LBPD also extends its services to those with certain learning challenges, such as dyslexia.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD)

New Mexico State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled Facebook Group

National Federation for the Blind

New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

The Seeing Eye

New Mexico Commission for the Blind

Visit https://newmexicoculture.org for info about our museums, historic sites, virtual tours, and more.

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Encounter Culture, a production of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, is produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios.

Hosted by Charlotte Jusinski, Editor at El Palacio Magazine

Technical Director: Edwin R. Ruiz

Recording Engineer: Kabby at Kabby Sound Studios in Santa Fe

Executive Producer: Daniel Zillmann

Show Notes: Lisa Widder

Associate Editor: Helen King

Associate Producer: Alex Riegler

Theme Music: D'Santi Nava

Instagram: @newmexicanculture

For more, visit podcast.nmculture.org.