Libraries supported by public and/or private funds which provide general library services without charge to all residents of a given community, district or region.

Special libraries that maintain materials with accurate and up-to-date information on the spectrum of disabilities, disability issues and services for people with disabilities, their families, and other concerned individuals. Depending on the community being served, libraries may include related medical, health, and mental health information and information on legal rights, accommodations and employment opportunities. Disability focused libraries may also integrate assistive technology into their facilities and services to meet the needs of people with a broad range of disabilities, including learning, mobility, sensory and developmental disabilities. Collections of books, magazines and other materials in formats that are accessible to people who are unable to use regular printed materials because of a visual, physical or other disability are generally also available. Included may be Braille materials; large print resources; captioned and/or described films, videos and DVDs; audio books; and other similar materials that are generally circulated by mail.

Libraries or other organizations that maintain collections of books, magazines and other reading material on cassettes, CDs or in digital file formats and make them available on a loan basis to residents of the community who are blind or have visual impairments, dyslexia or other related disabilities. Also included are organizations that distribute cassettes, CDs, or digital files of this type that people can keep.

Libraries or other organizations that maintain collections of books, magazines and other reading materials in Braille, a system that uses raised dots to represent numerals and letters of the alphabet which can be identified by the fingers, that are made available on a loan basis to community residents who are blind or who have visual impairments. Also included are organizations that distribute copies of books, magazines and other reading material in Braille format that people can keep.

Libraries or other organizations that maintain collections of books, magazines and other reading materials in a large type format that are made available on a loan basis to residents of the community who have visual impairments. Also included are organizations that distribute copies of large print books, magazines and other reading material that people can keep.

Individuals who are age 50, 55, 60, 62 or 65 or older depending on the minimum age for qualifying as an older adult which varies by program.

Individuals who are generally between the ages of 18 and 25 depending on the ages that specific programs use for qualification.

A learning disability that is characterized by difficulty translating written images into meaningful language. There are two types of learning disabilities in reading. Basic reading problems occur when there is difficulty understanding the relationship between sounds, letters and words. Reading comprehension problems occur when there is an inability to grasp the meaning of words, phrases and paragraphs. Signs of reading difficulty include problems with letter and word recognition, understanding words and ideas, reading speed and fluency, and general vocabulary skills.

Eye, optic nerve or brain malfunctions which prevent affected individuals from seeing normally. Eye disorders that can lead to visual impairments include retinal degeneration, albinism, cataracts, glaucoma, muscular problems that result in visual disturbances, corneal disorders, diabetic retinopathy, congenital disorders and infection.