Welcome back to NFB Newsline in Maine! Newsline is an automated newspaper and magazine reading service designed for the blind and visually impaired or anyone with a disability making access to print challenging. In addition to the Portland Press Herald newspaper in Maine, users of the service have access to hundreds of other newspapers from across the country, 75 magazines such as AARP Magazine, local TV schedules, and more (for a complete list, go to https://nfb.org/participating-newspapers).
Newsline is a service provided, since 1995 by the National Federation for the Blind (NFB) and local state sponsors. Walter Woitasek (phone: 207-899-4033) of the NFB of Maine is the local coordinator of Newsline, and was instrumental in securing the grant from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation to fund this first year of Newsline.
Newsline is now available in a variety of ways. For many, the simplest method is to just pick up the phone, dial the Newsline local or toll free number, select the newspaper from the menu, and begin listening over the phone. It’s that simple! The telephone dial is used like many other telephone menu systems.
To get started, call Newsline toll free at 866-504-7300 to request an application. Any blind, visually impaired, or print disabled person is eligible for Newsline at no cost. Download a print application at https://nfb.org/Images/nfb/documents/word/NEWSLINE_application.doc or complete it online at https://www.nfbnewsline.net/Nl2/NL2NewUserReqInput.jsp. You will receive both an ID Code and a security code for your subscription that will be used to access the various forms of the service.
NFB Newsline has expanded its service offerings dramatically in recent years. If you are a computer user or mobile technology user, you have many ways to access Newsline. A great introduction to these new services is provided in an interview with Scott White from the NFB on the Eye On Vision Show at http://eyeonvision.blogspot.com/2012_09_01_archive.html (the interview begins 9 minutes into the show). Scott discusses all the new ways to get Newsline on your iOS device, over the web, as a customized DAISY file, or to have an article emailed to you. One of the newest features is to have your Mewsline “favorites” forwarded to you as an audio podcast that can be read on your mobile device or NLS Talking Book reader.
If you’re not a tech user, don’t worry, Newsline over the phone is still easy to use. For print tutorials or audio tutorials go to the Newsline Downloads page at https://nfb.org/newsline-downloads to get started. If your favorite newspaper is not available, contact Walter or leave a message on the main Newsline number 866-504-7300 expressing your interest. Scott White also suggests letting your state legislators know of your use and interest in Newsline so funding may be secured for continuation of the service.
Download this post as MP3 audio file at http://www.theiris.org/audio/newsline_skelley_051113.mp3