Free Braille Books
There are a number of different sources of free braille books available to children in the United States. In addition to the list below, there are numerous libraries and other sources through teachers of students with visual impairments or related organizations. Check with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) or with your state library for the blind.
American Action Fund for Blind Children
This program provides children who are blind with a free braille book every month from a popular children’s reading series.
Braille Institute: Braille Special Collection
This braille literacy program from the Braille Institute provides children’s books free of charge. Any child in the United States or Canada who is visually impaired is eligible to receive up to 12 free books per year from the Special Collection. VI teachers or educators may also subscribe to our Special Collection.
Braille Tales Print/Braille Book Program
This program is a partnership between APH (American Printing House for the Blind) and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Participating families receive six free print/braille books per year up to the child’s 6th birthday. To be eligible for the program:
National Braille Press: Read Books! Program
National Braille Press distributes braille book bags to families with children, ages birth to seven, who are blind and visually impaired, across the U.S. and Canada. The distribution process is a collaborative effort with educators and early intervention professionals. In addition to the free print/braille books for different age levels, the bag includes information about braille for parents and families, as well as some tactile materials.
Handmade braille and tactile books are created by a group of volunteers and made available free of charge to people worldwide who are working with children who are blind or visually impaired.
Children in the United States and Canada who are blind can received up to 3 free braille books per year. There is a giveaway program for teachers, where they receive 4 books a year, as well as the ongoing Rose Project, which provides free World Book Encyclopedia articles in braille.
This free service of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) designed to provide an outlet for organizations and people who are blind to offer surplus braille books to others who may enjoy them.
Temple Beth El Braille Bindery
This bindery in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan has been creating free braille books for more than 40 years. The books are available for children in the United States and are created by volunteers by this non-profit organization.
Xavier Society for the Blind provides braille, audio and large print spiritual and religious materials (mostly Catholic, but not strictly) at no cost to clients worldwide in order for them to learn about, develop and practice their Faith.
Additional Sources of Braille Books
American Brotherhood for the Blind
213-343-2022
actionfund@nfb.org
http://www.actionfund.org
Free lending library, including Twin Vision books, books are sent automatically, and not selected by the user.
American Printing House for the Blind
P.O. Box 6085
1839 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206-0085
502-895-2405
800-223-1839
info@aph.org
http://www.aph.org
Lists of print/braille and braille books that are available.
Braille Institute Los Angeles, CA 90029-3594
323-906-3104
800-272-4553
info@brailleinstitute.org
Midwestern Braille Volunteers
104 W. Adams Ave.
St. Louis, Mo 63122
314-966-5828
Email: mbvol@sbcglobal.net
Website: https://www.mbvol.org
National Braille Press
88 St. Stephen Street
Boston, MA 02115
800-548-7323
orders@nbp.org
http://www.nbp.org
Print/braille books at same price as print edition. Children’s Braille Book Club features a different print/braille book each month. Interest level of books: Preschool to Grade 3.
National Library Services
Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
1291 Taylor St., NW
Washington, DC 20542
800-424-9100
nls@loc.gov
http://www.loc.gov/nls
Print/braille, braille, and recorded books for leisure reading are lent directly or through state and local libraries. Catalogs available for selecting books.
Seedlings: Braille Books for Children
P.O. Box 51924
Livonia, MI 48151-5924
Toll-free phone: 800-777-8552
Fax: 734-427-8552
Email: info@seedlings.org
http://www.seedlings.org
Catalog of braille books for children and print/braille books for young children. Reasonable prices.
Whidbey Island Braillists
45 East Henni Road
Oak Harbor, WA 98277
206-675-9439
Print/braille books and braille books lent to blind children and to blind parents of sighted children. Ages one year to beginning school age.
