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Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), ca. 1970s
CNIB staff member is training a client on the use of a CCTV which is projecting enlarged print onto a television screen from an attached scanner
IBM 100 Braille Electric Typewriter
This typewriter has a QWERTY keyboard but creates braille. Grade 1 braille is typed in lowercase. Both lower and uppercase characters are used for Grade 2. The contractions for Grade 2 occupy the uppercase positions. Inset shows the raised dots of a braille character.
Telex talking book player a.k.a the Big Blue Machine
A CNIB library client is being trained to use the Big Blue Machine, inserting a tape into the player
Telex talking book player a.k.a the Big Blue Machine
A CNIB Library client is enjoying listening to her “Big Blue Machine” talking book player in her living room
Clarke and Smith Mfg. Co. Ltd. (UK) multi-track tape player ca. 1950
Close up image of canister containing a talking book on tape - The Shoes of the Fisherman by Morris West (18 tracks)
Clarke and Smith Mfg. Co. Ltd. (UK) multi-track tape player ca. 1950
Multi-track tape talking book player in wooden case with cassette encased in metal canister. Inside the lid are instructions for use. On the front of the wooden case are plastic knobs and a grill for the speaker inside the case. A leather strap is attached to the side for carrying the closed case.
Telex talking book player ca. 1970s to early 21st century
Affectionately known as the “Big Blue Machine” and for many years CNIB Library's machines were maintained and repaired by the Bell Telephone Pioneers. This player required a 4-track cassette tape which plays at half the speed of a regular commercial cassette tape ensuring the tapes are only played on specific machine for persons with vision loss and up to 6 hours of reading can be accommodated.
General Electric talking book player
Designed and produced by General Electric to American Printing House for the Blind specifications for use as a talking book machine. It played the 4-track tapes that were used by libraries for the blind from the 1970s until the beginning of the digital age. .
Alphabet letters
Handmade wooden alphabet for teaching children with vision loss to read letters by touch. Sometimes there were attempts to teach regular alphabet letters but this was not enough for literacy.