Other Services
Members of NLS libraries such as OTBS are also eligible for the following services, most of which are free of charge. For assistance applying for any of these services, please call us at (248) 650-7150 or (800) 774-4542.
Bookshare® offers over 800,000 digital books, textbooks, teacher-recommended reading, periodicals and assistive technology tools, and is currently free for all U.S. students with qualifying disabilities, thanks to an award from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). People with qualifying conditions who are not U.S. students, and organizations serving them, pay a low membership fee. For more information and to apply for service, visit the Bookshare website or call 650-352-0198.
Detroit Radio Information Service (DRIS) is southeast Michigan's Radio Reading/Audio Information Service for people with disabilities. Like many radio reading services, DRIS broadcasts its programming over a private, closed-circuit radio signal (WDET-FM's 67 kHz sub-channel). Specially built radio receivers are loaned free of charge to qualified applicants. You may download an application by clicking here.
Learning Ally works with leading publishers and technology innovators to bring accessible materials to individuals with visual impairments and learning differences. Available in every grade level and most subjects, Learning Ally's textbook and literature titles are used nationwide. In addition to the classics, Learning Ally's digital library provides current editions of state adopted texts ensuring students learn from the same versions as their classmates. For more information and to apply for service, visit the Learning Ally website or call 800-221-4792. *There is an annual membership fee to participate in this service, although in most cases, OTBS patrons are able to access Learning Ally titles by contacting us.
NFB-NEWSLINE® is a free audio news service for anyone who is blind, low-vision, deafblind, or otherwise print-disabled that offers access to more than 500 publications, emergency weather alerts, job listings, and more. NFB-NEWSLINE can be accessed in a variety of ways, including smartphones, telephone, e-mail, Amazon Alexa devices, and more. For more information and to apply for NFB-NEWSLINE service, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 866-504-7300.
U.S. Currency Reader Program provides currency readers, free of charge, to all eligible blind and visually impaired U.S. citizens and national residents. The device is small, compact, and runs on a triple-A battery, which is included. To use the currency reader, simply insert a U.S. bill into the reader and press the button. The device will tell the note’s denomination. You can download an application in English or Spanish here.