Reading Resource Profile of AFB

For 87 Years, the AFB Has Provided Tools Enabling the Blind to Read

Nov 30, 2008
Andrew Leibs

Helen Keller Devoted 40 Years to Building the AFB - American Foundation of the Blind

Through its many technological innovations, the American Foundation for the Blind carries on Helen Keller's legacy of expanding possibilities for people with vision loss.

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that provides information, resources, and advocacy for blind and visually impaired persons, teachers, researchers, and professionals in the blindness field. In addition to its New York City headquarters, AFB has offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Huntington, WV, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.

AFB seeks to:

Broaden access to technology
Elevate the quality of information and tools for blindness professionals
Provide resources to promote independent living
Advocate through its Public Policy Center in Washington, DC

AFB Press publishes the revered periodicals Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness and Access World, and is the largest publisher of scholarly works and research for vision loss service professionals. AFB’s seminal Directory of Resources for Blind & Visually Impaired Persons in the United States and Canada, considered the most comprehensive compilation of low-vision services.

AFB also houses the Helen Keller Archive, which includes the speeches, writings, letters, and personal papers of famed deaf-blind educator Keller, who worked for AFB for over 40 years and was instrumental in establishing the Talking Books Program.

History of American Foundation for the Blind

Philanthropist M.C. Migel founded AFB in 1921 to help veterans blinded in World War I. From its inception, AFB supported a growing community of blindness professionals by providing information and resources on vision loss.

AFB’s early contributions included:

1921-24: Taking the lead to standardize the English braille code

1921-24: Establishing the first professional publications program for teachers and administrators

1926: First publication of its Directory of Services for Blind and Visually Impaired Persons, now in its 27th edition and available online

1933: AFB engineers developed the first long-playing record and player, set up its first recording studios, and persuaded Congress to include Talking Books in the National Library System for blind people.

AFB works with manufacturers to create products for both blind and sighted people built on “universal design” standards.

How the AFB Helps Blind Readers

Talking Book Productions: Since pioneering recorded book technology in the early 1930s, AFB has produced nearly 70,000 Talking Books distributed by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) of the Library of Congress
Education: AFB is a storehouse of information where teachers and parents can research resources and best-practice approaches to teaching blind and visually impaired students
AFB CareerConnect: This is a free resource where blind persons can learn about jobs performed by adults who are blind or visually impaired throughout the United States and Canada, explore possible careers, find a mentor, and watch video interviews of blind businesspeople
M. C. Migel Library: This is the world’s largest collection of materials related to blindness
AFB Website: AFB’s online resources include multimedia (recordings and videos), a blog, e-newsletter, message boards, calendar, and announcement listings.

In general, up-to-date information is AFB’s most enduring product. Contact AFB by phone or email with specific educational or reading issues.

How to Contact the American Foundation for the Blind

AFB Headquarters

11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300

New York, NY 10001

800.232.5463 (212.502.7600)