Custom Recording Services

Taping for the Blind offers Custom Recording services free of charge to print-handicapped residents throughout the state of Texas. If you have printed material that is unavailable in an audio version, we will record it onto standard audio cassettes or audio CDs. We return the original printed material with the audio version to the client.

Since 1967 volunteers have recorded thousands of documents including textbooks, newsletters and instruction manuals onto standard audio cassettes. We custom record any print material not available through any other source.

Testimonial

photo of listener Mike McCorkle"I wanted to get certified to dive. They put the whole [scuba diving] manual on tape for me. It helped a lot." Mike McCorkle, entrepreneur with lawn care and photography businesses, dyslexic.

Instructions

Any Texas resident who is a client of Taping for the Blind can request Custom Recording. Call us at 713-622-2767 for your Custom Recording needs, or e-mail us. We have worked with teachers, schools, institutions, parents, students, and individuals to custom record material unavailable elsewhere. Custom Recording is free to our clients who have completed the Radio or Custom Recording Certification Form.

We record materials on a first-come/first-served basis, but we keep deadlines in mind: textbooks and class materials get priority in handling.
  1. Have we recorded your book previously? Is it available elsewhere? We check first with other Custom Recording sources (a list is available) to see if the material is already available in an audio version. If it is, we refer the client.
  2. The client must send one print (not Braille) copy of the material to be recorded with his or her name in or on the material to be recorded. Example: one copy of a book, manuscript, or letter.
  3. In most cases, we mail cassettes or CDs to the client when the material is completely finished. Approximately 45 to 50 pages fit on each 90-minute cassette or CD, depending on size of print and page layout. Tapes or CDs may be sent individually as completed only upon request.
  4. Labeled print material will be returned with the recorded version with the final cassette or CD.