Each year, a number of teachers volunteer with the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) to read primary and secondary school textbooks onto tape for distribution by NCBI to over 150 students with vision impairments in special and mainstream schools. These selected audiobooks from the primary school syllabus and junior and leaving cert courses are vital to these students, and form a core part of their learning experience in school.

However, with only 53 textbooks recorded and more and more requests for titles being received, NCBI needs more teachers to volunteer their time and their voices to extend the range available. Reading onto recording machines provided by NCBI, the teachers can choose when to record their book in the comfort and quiet of their own homes.

Lina Kouzi, Library and Media Services Manager with NCBI explains that ‘It is thanks to the teachers who already give their time each year to NCBI that we can offer this service. We are indebted to them. Only teachers know the nuances of their subject, and how best to read a chosen paragraph, whether it's English, Irish, Science, Business Studies or Home Economics. Equally, only primary teachers know how best to pitch their text to senior infants or sixth class students, and how to capture and maintain the attention of pupils. We could never have too many talking books in our library and that is why, I am ‘Desperately Seeking Teachers’ to continue the successful delivery of this essential service to students."

"At present there are no Irish texts available because we have not recruited any Irish teachers, and there is also a huge demand for other language teachers such as French and German to record in these languages."

Ms. Margaret Hogan, who works as a visiting teacher for students with vision impairments through the Department of Education, highlighted the significance of the service to students experiencing problems with their sight. "The value of these audiobooks to the children I work with is immeasurable. Without them, I would find it almost impossible to teach students with low vision whose eyes tire so easily trying to look at text, or students with no vision who would have to rely on a very limited number of Braille books. I would encourage other teachers to consider giving the gift of their teaching knowledge to students with vision impairments, knowing that your gift of your time is achieving so much."

If you are interested in lending your voice to NCBI, please contact 1850 33 43 53 or email volunteers@ncbi.ie for further information. Further information on NCBI and its library services are available on www.ncbi.ie

For media enquiries please contact:

Sarah Gahan on 01 8307033 ext 323 or 087 6846088. Email: sarah.gahan@ncbi.ie