Tape Services
Consider listening to tapes
Many people enjoy listening to newspapers, magazines and books which have been recorded on tape. As the range is extensive we have listed below a selection of the more popular services. Proof of a visual impairment is needed for membership.
Cassette recorders can be purchased from the KAB.
Local Newspapers and Magazine
Each week the KAB records the local newspaper on tape for the enjoyment of people who have difficulty reading newsprint. The news tape, together with an informative and entertaining magazine, is posted weekly to listeners free of charge. All that is needed is a cassette player.
Ask the KAB to send your choice from this list:
Ashford, Dartford, Deal and Dover, Faversham, Gravesend, Herne Bay, Maidstone, Medway, Sevenoaks, Shepway, Swale, Thanet, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells.
Bexley, Bromley, Canterbury and Whitstable editions are also available.
To apply for an edition of the Kent Talking Newspaper click here
National Newspapers and Magazines
The Radio and TV Times, and most newspapers and magazines are available from the Talking Newspaper Association of the United Kingdom, 90 High Street, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 9JD
Telephone: 01435 866102
For information about Asian language talking newspapers and magazines contact the KAB office, Gravesend.
Telephone: 01474 535353
Two newspapers are produced specifically for people with impaired vision. The 'Airs' daily talking news and features tape offers comprehensive coverage of national and international news. Subscribers receive six tapes weekly plus a weekend supplement. All enquiries to 'Airs', The Central Library, Prince Consort Road, Gateshead NE8 4LN.
Telephone: 0191 477 3478.
'The Guiding Star' national audio newspaper is accompanied by a magazine programme. Music tapes are also available. Contact National Music for the Blind, Radio Churchtown Studios, 2 High Park Road, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 7QL.
Telephone: 01704 228010
'Sound Advice' is a magazine-style tape designed to make public sector information accessible to people who prefer to receive information on tape. Apply to the KAB.
'The Weekend Listener' can be obtained from Master Transcriptions, 8 Neville Park, Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Telephone: 01892 544796
Library Services
Many libraries have installed reading machines which either magnify the text or read aloud. Headphones are available for privacy. Personal documents can be read too.
The Kent County Council also has a postal cassette library service for children as well as adults who have difficulty reading books. Ask about this free service at your local library.
Calibre stock a wide range of recorded books for children and adults. Write to Calibre, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP22 5XQ.
Telephone: 01296 432339
Plays poems, narratives and fiction tapes are available from The Prince Michael of Kent Tape Library for the Blind, 105 Salisbury Road, London NW6 6RH.
Telephone: 0171 634 8844
The Royal National Institute for the Blind run their Talking Book Service from Mount Pleasant, Wembley, Middlesex HA0 1RR. Telephone 0345 626843 for calls charged at the local rate. Unlike all the other tape services an easy to use playback machine is supplied on loan.
St Celia's Guide has a large library of Christian mainly Catholic material. Contact Sister Frances for information.
Telephone: 0181 202 5749 or 0181 906 0408
The Torch Trust has a tape library of Christian literature, study books and magazines besides hymns and readings in large print. Contact Torch House, Hallaton, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 8UJ.
Telephone: 01858 555301
To e-mail KAB:
ktn@kab.org.uk