Looking for meaningful ways to volunteer, contribute positively and make a difference during the COVID-19 lockdown?

Spread the joy of books by recording audio books for the visually impaired. According to surveys conducted worldwide, less than 1% of the published information is available in alternate and accessible formats for use by persons with print disabilities. The lack of books and reading material has a negative impact on the education, employment prospects and personality development of persons with blindness, low vision, learning, and certain physical disabilities. The aim of the audio books project is to eradicate the “Book famine” for persons with print disabilities.

How can Volunteers Help?

Volunteers can sign up be a part of the orientation session where they will be:

• Walked through the process of audio recording a book
• Familiarised with the audio recording software
• Assigned a book (in English language) to record
• After the orientation, volunteers can take upto a week to record their designated books and share the audio file. It usually takes about 3-4 hours to record these books.

Once registered, a zoom link for the orientation will be shared with the volunteers. This orientation will last between 40-45 minutes during which volunteers will be taken through the basics of book recording, listen to a sample recording, taught how to modulate tone and have their questions answered.

Meet the Team

Samarthanam Trust for The Disabled is a Bangalore-based non-profit organisation. They are involved in the production and distribution of books and reading the material in accessible formats for persons who cannot read normal print due to visual, cognitive or physical disabilities.

Samarthanam with Support of Daisy Forum of India envisions a world where people with print disabilities have equal access to information and knowledge without delay or additional expense in their own language.

Essential requirements

• Windows Laptop (Mac isn't compatible with the recording software) OR Android or iOS phone
• Internet connection to download the software
• Fluency in spoken English

Questions? Reach us at

library@samarthanam.org