Eligibility of Blind and Other Physically
Handicapped Persons for Loan of Library Materials

Document prepared by Kansas State Library

A. The following persons are eligible for service:

1. Blind persons whose visual acuity, as determined by competent authority, is 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses, or whose widest diameter of visual field subtends angular distance no greater than 20 degrees.


2. Other physically handicapped persons are eligible as follows:
1. Persons whose visual disabililty, with correction and regardless of optical measurement, is certified by competent authority as preventing the reading of standard printed material.
2. Persons certified by competent authority as unable to read or unable to use standard printed material as a result of physical limitations.
3. Persons certified by competent authorid by competent authority as having a reading disability resulting from organic dysfunction and of sufficient severity to prevent their reading printed material in a normal manner (see section B.2.).

B. Certifying Authority:

1. In cases of blindness, visual impairment, or physical limitations, "competent authority" is defined to include doctors of medicine; doctors of osteopathy; ophthalmologists; optometrists; registered nurses; therapists, and professional staff of hospitals, institutions, and public or private welfare agencies (e.g. social workers, caseworkers, counselors, rehabilitation teachers, and superintendents). In the absence of any of these, certification may be made by professional librarians or by any person whose competence under specific circumstances is acceptable to the Library of Congress.


2. In the case of reading disability from organic dysfunction, competent authority is defined as doctors medicine and doctors of osteopathy who may consult with colleagues in associated disciplines.

C. Residency or U.S. Citizenship:

Eligible readers must be residents of the United States, including the several states, territories, insular possessions, and the District of Columbia; or American citizens domiciled abroad.

This document is based on one prepared by for the Kansas State Library by Patti Mersman.
The changes are merely formatting consistant with and links to the CKLS Talking Books Page.
Last updated 06/01/2005