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>View discussions about this entry País: United States
Organization: Talking Pages, Inc.
Field of Work - other
Year project started (or projected start date) (yyyy) - 2002
If Field of Work is “other” please define in 1-2 words below - Visually Impaired
What is the primary problem your venture is trying to address and how are you addressing it (or planning to address it)? - Visually impaired persons, such as older persons who develop macular degeneration, have limited options for conveniently obtaining audio books. They are expensive to purchase for one-time use, and visually impaired persons may not have easy access to visit their local libraries. Additionally, some local libraries have very limited selections of audio books. To overcome these problems, I founded an online library of audio books on CDs and cassette tapes. Once users provide certification that they are visually impaired, they can register online for a library card and request up to four audio books at a time.
I initiated the idea for the project and established Talking Pages, Inc. as a non-profit organization. In parallel, I designed a web site and selected titles for the library. I established a relationship with Amazon to offer links for more information on the books and set up a PayPal account to collect donations. My initial research included trying out different packaging and labeling techniques. The books are mailed in small boxes along with a return-mailing label. I also worked on fundraising. On an ongoing basis, I correspond with users and donors via email and fulfill requests to borrow books. Project Description - Describe your project in one sentence: Talking Pages, a 501(c) (3) organization, is a free online lending library of audio books on CDs and cassette tapes for the visually impaired.
Unique and different - Describe what makes your idea unique and different: First, I have not found any other online library that offers the same free service to the visually impaired based on commercially available CDs and cassette tapes. These books can be played on ordinary CD or tape players. There are for-profit audio book services that offer books for a fee. Additionally, the National Library Service offers thousands of titles to the visually impaired, but the books use special formats that require specialized playback equipment that can be obtained only from the National Library Service.
Second, one of the innovations that makes Talking Pages financially feasible is the use of a USPS mailing option for the visually impaired. Audio books can be mailed to them at no cost by marking them “Free Matter for the Blind or Handicapped.” Third, the Talking Pages web site has been designed with accessibility features so that blind persons can use screen reader technology that uses a speech synthesizer to access the web site without help from someone with sight. Project plan - What is your project plan for the next 6 months? First, I will continue to support the current users who request audio books. Since I attend college in Pennsylvania and the books are located in New Jersey, I handle the online work and my mother mails the books. Second, I will add purchased and donated books to the online catalog. Third, I will partner with my brother to further increase awareness of the library. Finally, I will improve the web site to work well with different browsers.
Partnerships - What are some of your most successful partnerships and how have you created them? I have partnered with a large number of individuals and organizations to make Talking Pages successful. I conducted a fundraiser at my high school that involved over 500 students and have sent over 2000 emails to users and donors. I established a relationship with Amazon so that I can offer links on my web site for more information on the books, and I set up a PayPal account to collect donations by credit card. I have corresponded with tens of organizations for the blind to create web links, and partnered with Internet list services run by the visually impaired to inform potential users of the library’s offering. I have worked with about 50 donors of books, both individuals and organizations. In response to my requests, several publishing houses have donated about 100 audio books to the library.
Impact - Provide one sentence describing your impact/intended impact. The primary beneficiaries of this project are the visually impaired persons who use Talking Pages to borrow audio books. Others who have benefited from my project are family members of the visually impaired, who are grateful to have this service. One person wrote: “Thanks so much for your speedy reply and for this wonderful service. My aunt, who's an avid reader, was recently diagnosed with macular degeneration. She's understandably depressed, and Talking Pages has given her a big lift.”
Effectiveness - How many people has your project served to date? Exactly who benefits from your innovation? Talking Pages has mailed audio books to over 225 visually impaired users in 41 states. Family members are also grateful to have this service.
Obstacles - What are some of the foreseeable obstacles to maximizing your impact? Aside from fundraising, two of the biggest problems I have faced are finding a way to communicate the availability of this service to the visually impaired and making the web site accessible to blind users. To increase awareness, I undertook a direct mail campaign, registered the web site with search engines, contacted organizations for the blind, and partnered with Internet lists run by the visually impaired. To assist visually impaired computer users, I have learned and applied accessibility standards to the web site.
Finance details - If known, provide information on your finances and organization:
• Money raised and/or in-kind donations (donated space and/or materials) • Number of people on your team and their roles • Number of partners: Talking Pages began operations in July 2003. For the 4 ½ year period ending December 31, 2007, Talking Pages received a total of $26,228 in donations. This consisted of $13,014 in cash and $13,214 in audio books (lightly used books are valued at Amazon “like new” prices). During that same period, the library had $7,213 in expenses, and therefore has current assets of $19,015. This includes approximately $4,600 in cash and about 1500 books valued at approximately $14,400. There are four members of my family (my parents, my brother, and myself) who serve as the Trustees of Talking Pages and participate in running the library. My mother (President) is involved in supporting daily operations and the web site. My father (Treasurer) works with me on financial aspects. My brother (Vice President) is in charge of marketing and operational improvements. Talking Pages also benefits from the support of about 50 donors and in the past, over 500 students were involved in fundraising. Creative funding - Please describe creative ways that you have acquired funding and other resources? I obtained permission to run a “dress down day” at my high school. Students who donated at least $1 to Talking Pages when entering school were allowed to wear jeans and other casual clothes to school that day (normally there was a strict dress code). Before approaching publishers for donations, I researched which publishers represent authors whose books are frequently requested from the library. I approached the publishers with specific information about the popularity of those authors to strengthen my requests.
Other non finance needs - What non-financial resources/services do you need in order to help sustain your project? Talking Pages would continue to benefit from increased publicity. It is difficult to find effective mechanisms to reach visually impaired users, especially older persons, most of whom do not use the Internet.
Motivation - What was the motivation or defining moment that led you to create this project? Tell us the story. I was inspired by one of my aunts who developed macular degeneration and could no longer read. In her rural community in upstate New York, she was unable to get access to many bestseller audio books from her local library. Buying audio books was an expensive alternative for her, and this gave me the idea to create an online lending library of audio books for the visually impaired. I researched the idea on the Internet and discovered several sites that offer audio books for a fee. I also found the National Library Service that offers thousands of titles to the visually impaired, but the books use special formats that require specialized playback equipment that can be obtained only from the National Library Service. I wanted to give people the option of also getting books on CD, since some people, like my aunt, do not like using tapes. It is also convenient for people to get books that they can play on standard equipment. Many Talking Pages users have sent me e-mails to indicate they appreciate the convenience of the service and the fact it helps make them independent.
Awards - Please describe any awards or recognition you have received (either personal or for your team)? Prudential Spirit of Community Service Award (2005) – I was selected as the High School Winner for the state of New Jersey.
Pingry School Community Service Award (2005)– This recognition is given annually to one senior in the Pingry School graduating class. Do Something BRICK Award (2006) – I was the recipient of a $10,000 Grant, consisting of $5,000 for Talking Pages and $5,000 towards my college tuition. Contact Information:
Michael Page
Founder and CEO Talking Pages, Inc. (NGO - A 501(c) (3) Organization) Discussions about this entry
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Talking Pages
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Nice work, very good work you are doing to help
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