Minnesota State Services for the Blind (SSB)
Accessible Reading Materials - Braille and Audio
Fergus Falls Office
1414 College Way, Ste L180, Fergus Falls, MN, 56537
(218) 395-0245
ssb.info@state.mn.us
https://mn.gov/deed/ssb/braille
Service Details
Description
The Communication Center provides books, newspapers, magazines and other printed materials in alternate formats for people who are blind, visually impaired, DeafBlind or who have other disabilities that make it difficult for them to read print.
Services include:
* Braille and audio transcription of books and other printed materials
* News by phone or on the go
* Library services offering books in accessible formats
* Radio Talking Book offering free, closed-circuit news and information service broadcast 24/7
Features
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Area Served by County
- Becker County
- Cass County
- Clay County
- Clearwater County
- Douglas County
- Grant County
- Hubbard County
- Mahnomen County
- Norman County
- Otter Tail County
- Red Lake County
- Todd County
- Traverse County
- Wadena County
- Wilkin County
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Specialization
- Blind or visually impaired
Eligibility
Minnesotans with a qualifying visual, physical, or reading disability that makes reading print difficult.
Application Instructions
Fill out and submit the application. Application forms are also available at the local offices.
Fees
There is no fee for these services.
Area Served
West central Minnesota
Websites
Phone Numbers
| Type | Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Main | (218) 395-0245 | |
| Toll Free | (800) 657-3755 |
Last Update
12/10/2024
Other Locations
- Bemidji Office 616 America Ave NW, Ste 230, Bemidji, MN, 56601
- Brainerd Office 204 Laurel St, Ste 21, Brainerd, MN, 56401
- Duluth Office 402 W 1st St, Duluth, MN, 55802
- Hibbing Office 3920 13th Ave E, Hibbing, MN, 55746
- Mankato Office 12 Civic Center Plz, Ste 1600B, Mankato, MN, 56001
- Marshall Office 607 W Main St, Lyon County Courthouse, Marshall, MN, 56258
- Rochester Office 2070 College View Rd E, Rochester, MN, 55904
- St. Cloud Office 1542 Northway Dr, Door 2, St. Cloud, MN, 56303
- State Services for the Blind Main Office 2200 University Ave W, Ste 240, St. Paul, MN, 55114
Other Services or resources
Taxonomy Terms Used: Clicking a taxonomy term from the list below launches a new search.
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PH-0600Audio Recording Services Definition
Programs that make tapes of reading material, sometimes on a request basis, for use by people who are blind or have a visual impairment, a severe motor disability, a learning disability or another type of disability that makes it difficult to read print or use printed materials.
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PH-3500.1000Braille Transcription Definition
Programs that transfer materials that were originally written in English or another language into Braille, a system that uses raised dots to represent numerals and letters of the alphabet which can be identified by the fingers.
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TJ-4500.4500-750Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic Definition
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.
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TJ-4500.8300-100Braille Materials/Collections Definition
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.
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YF-4500.7000Reading Disorder Definition
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.
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YF-5500.1800Deaf-Blindness Definition
A disability that is characterized by a combination of hearing and visual impairments.
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YF-6500Physical Disabilities Definition
Any of a variety of conditions that may be due to muscular, skeletal or neuromuscular disorders, paralysis or absence of one or more limbs, which impose physical limitations on the individual.
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YF-9000.0100Blindness Definition
A condition in which affected individuals are totally blind and cannot see or are legally blind and have central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with maximal correction, or a peripheral field of vision that is so contracted that its widest diameter subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees.
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YF-9000.6500Partial Sightedness Definition
A condition in which affected individuals have remaining visual acuity between 20/200 and 20/70 in the better eye with maximal correction.