Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB)
5 September 2007
Media release

RNZFB says Xtra funding would go to new generation of Talking Books

Blind people don't have the same "right to read" as sighted people, since only 5% of what's in print is available in accessible formats, like audio.

If the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) were fortunate enough to be one of the four charities to receive a $250,000 donation from Telecom, depending on the vote of Xtra customers, the funds would go toward a new generation of Digital Talking Book Machines.

"Our Talking Book Machines are 20 years old - virtual dinosaurs and falling to bits. And we are struggling to find audiotape in bulk these days. These problems will vanish when we switch from analogue (tape) to Digital Talking Books in the next few years, which will most likely find members downloading books over the internet. We successfully piloted this project with HumanWare earlier this year. If we received the $250,000, it would be a wonderful kick-start to a programme that will require millions none of which has been raised yet. Our library is almost completely funded by the charity dollar, so this would be a huge help," said Sandra Budd, RNZFB Chief Executive.

About half of the RNZFB's 11,700 blind, deafblind and vision-impaired members rely on Talking Books and audio magazines borrowing over 400,000 per year.

According to Mary Schnackenberg, RNZFB's Divisional Manager of the Library and Recording Studios: "Everyone supports the right to read, but in truth the blind community does not yet have that right, at least not like sighted people. Just 5% of what is available in print is also available in accessible formats, like audio. We produce Talking Books in our studios, at least in the volumes that we can afford."

The RNZFB is working with HumanWare and other manufacturers to develop the "next generation" of Digital Talking Book Machines. It is anticipated that each will cost around $500, hence the $250,000 donation could buy approximately 500 of the new machines, or pay for a combination of the new machines and the recording of masters of Talking Books at $3,500 each.

Ms Budd said that there are literally thousands of charities "worthy of winning," and she encouraged Xtra customers to vote for whichever charity they supported.

"If people vote for us, they should take care to use our full name the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind," Ms Budd said.

Xtra customers can place their vote at www.charityvote.co.nz

The RNZFB is the primary provider of vision-related rehabilitation services to approximately 11,700 blind, deafblind and vision-impaired members. It costs approximately $22m a year to deliver a wide range of member services, with just one-third of the funding coming from government sources.

ENDS

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