ABSTRACT
Library service for individuals who are blind or have a physical disability is an ever-expanding phenomenon, thanks to both the innovative spirit of the users and advances in technology. This entry discusses the 1931 establishment and subsequent growth of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress. The importance of the network of cooperating agencies at the state and local levels and of the volunteers who support the program is also discussed. The entry presents the history of special-format reading materials in the United States. Specifically covered are the emergence of electronic braille and the development of digital audiobooks, both of which are accessible by smartphone.
