Hammond Times Now Available on NFB-NEWSLINE®

Local News in Indiana More Accessible than Ever

HAMMOND, Ind., March 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Indiana is pleased to announce the addition of the Hammond Times to a service for blind and disabled readers in Indiana.  These readers will now have access to another reputable source for local daily news through NFB-NEWSLINE®.  This free service allows those who cannot read conventional newsprint due to a visual or physical disability to independently access over 300 publications on the telephone, over the Web, or via digital talking book players or MP3-playing devices.

"The daily newspaper remains unparalleled as an information source for all individuals, enhancing their lives as professionals, students, parents, and community members," said Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind.  "We are pleased to offer this resource to our subscribers to help them succeed in these roles."

Ron Brown, president of the NFB of Indiana and an active NFB-NEWSLINE® user, said: "It is so important that people have access to their local community newspaper, including those of us who are blind or have physical impairments.  The addition of the Hammond Times, the leading newspaper for all of northwest Indiana, offers more options to readers in Indiana than ever before."

Autumn Gonzalez, director of the Indiana Talking Book & Braille Library, said: "The addition of the Hammond Times to the daily newspapers offered, which also include the Indianapolis Star, the Evansville Courier Press, the Muncie Star Press, and the Indiana Associated Press wire feed, ensures that visually and physically impaired Indiana residents can get the news they need wherever they live in the state."

NFB-NEWSLINE® allows those who cannot read conventional newsprint due to a visual or physical disability to access publications as well as television and job listings over the telephone, on the Web, or by download to digital talking book players or MP3-playing devices.

To learn more about NFB-NEWSLINE®, please visit www.nfbnewsline.org.  Those interested in subscribing to the service may fill out the online application form, write to [email protected], or call (866) 504-7300.  In order to be eligible for NFB-NEWSLINE®, an individual must be a U.S. resident who is legally blind or has a physical or learning disability that prevents the independent reading of newspapers.  

SOURCE National Federation of the Blind