Checking out the NLS digital player

I use several forms of technology to read. I subscribe to Bookshare, which allows me to use software to read books on my computer. I also get books from NLS.

For years, I had a cassette player from NLS. It wasn't of much use to me since it used 4 sided cassettes that had to be turned over repeatedly which meant that my reading would be interrupted at the end of a cassette when I needed help to do that. So I put my name on a waiting list about a year and a half ago for a digital player. I just received one yesterday.

The model I was sent is the basic model. The photo shows the machine, with controls for power on/off (red) volume (yellow) play/stop (green) sleep (halfmoon white button) and arrow shaped white buttons for rewind and fast forward. At the bottom of the machine is the spot to insert the digital book. On top of the machine are buttons for tone and volume, as well as a speaker. The advanced model has additional navigation features.

The digital player not only accepts digital books in physical form which only have to be inserted once, but also allows the user to download books on a jump drive. You insert the drive into the side of the machine and listen. There's a photo of the jump drive inserted into the side of the machine at right. The download process involves unzipping files and placing them onto the jump drive, but it's not difficult and the library sent instructions along to help.

I'm enjoying the machine very much. Once the book is loaded, I can read the entire book without having to do much of anything except hit the very large play/stop button. The power goes off on the machine after it's idle for 30 minutes and it charges up to 29 hours which makes maintenance very easy. All in all, it's a huge help for someone with quadriplegia to have these updated features.

If you or a loved one or friend have difficulty reading due to a disability, check out the National Library for the Blind's free services.

Announcements: Book Signing in Philadelphia

Book Signing at Borders Center City with Fr. Anthony Russo

March 11, 2009
12:30 to 1:30 PM

Borders Book Store - 2nd floor
Broad and Chestnut Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Please let your friends who work in Center City know to visit Borders
on March 11th for a brief presentation and Book signing for: In Silent
Prayer: A History of Ministry with the Deaf Community in
the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Written by Fr. Father Anthony Russo, In Silent Prayer: A History of
Ministry with the Deaf Community in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
traces this special ministry in our local Church. Fr. Russo tells the
story of the great men and women who have provided this important
service. He also includes examples of how to establish an effective
ministry with a discussion of the ideas and attitudes necessary to
effect progress in ministry today.

via list serve NJCIM

The book can also be purchased online at this site and this site.

[image description: The cover of the book is shown, with an image from the rear of the seated congregation, with members signing and an interpreter and priest on the altar.]

Swimming with Scapulars read on Catholic radio show

The book Swimming with Scapulars will be read on Cover to Cover, a Catholic radio show starting January 7. Installments will be available Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays.

The book Left to Tell, about a survivor of the Rwandan holocaust, was just completed and is available as well on their site.

h/t to Catholic Media Review ( a new blog well worth a visit!)

So what is Wheelie Catholic reading?

_ The Ha Ha by Dave King

About a guy with a disability whose female friend goes into rehab leaving her son with him - he has multiple disabilities as a result of a war injury and is mute. I really like the way the main character is portrayed so far - he's active and engaging. My reading of this was interrupted by my day job (da nerve) but I intend to get back to it this weekend.

You can get used copies of this book very reasonably over at Amazon - sadly it looks as though it did not sell well which is unfortunate because Dave King's writing is quite good.

Next on the Queue


-Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way by Pope John Paul II

-Changing Planes by Ursula LeGuin

-The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

I want to read Children of Hurin but it's not available on tape yet and audible.com and bookshare didn't have it last time I checked. I would use my headpointer but I have a lot of reading in my job right now so I think this is going to be au audio deal.

Assistive technology I use to read: headpointer and reading stand; books on tape from Recording for Blind and National Library for Blind; audible.com; bookshare.com

What are you reading - and if you have a disability - feel free to share the assistive technology you use to read.

Listen to this!

Over at podiobooks, authors read their books and submit them for free download (donations are encouraged but not required). You can download these books to your ipod or other mp3 player on your own schedule or play them on your computer with a simple click. It even opens in a small separate window so you can keep blogging!

I tried a few titles out from their top ranked list and easily found books I like. If you're like me and always looking for more to read, check it out by clicking on the title of this post!