Frequently Asked Questions

What is the shipping charge for my order?

APH sends all educational aids and materials Free Matter for the Blind, unless requested otherwise by the customer. The other modes available are Priority Mail and Express Mail, through the U.S. Post Office^®, UPS^®, and FedEx^®.

What is the warranty policy for my Handi Cassette II Tape Recorder?

One year is the normal policy which covers parts replacements and repair work. The customer can purchase an extended warranty of two additional years for $50.00. This policy also applies for the APH Table Top Tape Recorder. Please note that for the Handi II, the extended warranty covers only the machine and not the accessories.

What is the repair procedure for APH products?

A flat fee is required, to be enclosed with the item needing repair. This fee will not increase no matter how extensive the repairs required for your product. Call Customer Relations at 1-800-223-1839 for a list of fees.

What are your office hours?

APH's doors and phone lines are open from Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Can I come to APH to buy a product?

We encourage you to visit our facility. We have a demonstration room where we display commonly purchased items, and customer service representatives are available to demonstrate APH products for you. We are located at 1839 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky.

How often do you change prices on your products?

Although APH reserves the right to change product prices at any time, it normally occurs annually. At that time, some items will increase in price, some will remain the same, and others will decrease.

Can your cassette players play standard music cassettes?

Yes, they can. They were designed to play 4-track talking book cassettes, but can also play the standard 2-track music cassettes. To hear music in stereo, you must use headphones

I plan to get a four-track cassette recorder, but where can I buy blank four-track cassettes?

Whether a cassette is recorded in two or four track mode depends on the recorder and not the cassette tape itself. If a cassette is blank, it is neither two nor four track. Any standard audio cassette can be used for recording stereophonic, monophonic, two or four track.

What is the difference between braille slates with "pins up" and "pins down"?

When a slate is said to have "pins down" the pins which hold paper in place are in the front portion of the slate. This is the face of the slate through which the stylus is pressed downward against the paper. "Pins up" means that pins are on the back portion of the slate and point upward.

I can't afford computer equipment. How can I keep track of appointments using braille?

A simple way is to write each appointment on a separate piece of paper. Old business cards or 3 X 5 cards work well for this purpose. Place the date and time on the card along with other information. File by date. If there is a change, write a new card and remove the old one.

I am a graduate student and I am seeking funding for research on the blind. May I apply to the Printing House for a grant?

APH seeks outside funding for its own research program and has no funds to help support the research of others.

How can I subscribe to Reader's Digest^® and Newsweek^® recorded magazines?

If you can't read print because you have a physical or visual impairment, and you live in the United States or are a U.S. citizen living abroad, you may be eligible to receive free cassette subscriptions (made possible by donations) to Newsweek^® and Reader's Digest^® from APH.

Newsweek^® Talking Magazine is recorded weekly on one 4 track cassette at 15/16 ips. The cassette becomes the property of the reader, and should not be returned.

Reader's Digest^® Talking Magazine is recorded monthly on two 4 track cassettes at 15/16 ips. The cassette becomes the property of the reader, and should not be returned. Reader's Digest is also available in English braille, grade two.

How To Order Your Subscriptions

1. First, you must register to receive free playback equipment from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. You may request an application by calling NLS at 1-800-424-9100. Your name will then be referred to the cooperating library in your area.
2. You will receive, on indefinite loan, the special, 4 track tape player needed to play discs and cassettes which are recorded at slower than conventional speeds.
3. When you have this equipment, you may order your subscriptions to Newsweek^® and Reader's Digest^® by contacting the Magazine Department of the American Printing House for the Blind at the following address:
   1839 Frankfort Ave.
   P.O. Box 6085
   Louisville, KY 40206-0085
   1-800-223-1839

Reader's Digest^® and Newsweek^® are registered trademarks of the Reader's Digest Association, Inc. and Newsweek, Inc.

What is the price of a Newsweek^® or Reader's Digest^® subscription?

Subscriptions are free to U.S. residents and U.S. citizens living abroad. Contributions to underwrite the cost are gladly accepted.

Where is the library where I order playback equipment for recorded magazines?

Register to receive free playback equipment from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. You may request an application by calling NLS at 1-800-424-9100. Your name will then be referred to the cooperating library in your area.

Should I return the recorded magazine tapes after I've heard them?

No, APH cassettes are yours to dispose of as you like.

How can I subscribe to Reader's Digest^® in braille and how much does it cost?

Call the Magazine Department of APH (502-895-2405 ext 352) to subscribe. There is no charge to US residents or US citizens living abroad, yet contributions to help underwrite the cost are gladly accepted.

How can I make accessible books available to persons who are visually impaired? or, How can I list books on Louis?

If you have materials in media accessible to people who are visually impaired, and you are willing to make them available for sale, loan, or exchange of materials on a nationwide basis, we would like to list them for you on Louis. We list items that are in the process of being reproduced as well as completed works.

Please provide us with the following contact information:

• Name and address of depository
• Name of contact person
• Phone number for referrals

In order for our librarians to accurately catalog each book, please send a copy of the title page and title page verso for the following bibliographic information:

• ISBN
• Title
• Author(s)
• Edition
• Publisher
• Copyright date

For more information, email us at resource@aph.org or call the Resource Services Department at (502) 895-2405.

How can I find information on a wide variety of topics related to blindness?

Visit "Fred's Head", APH's online database of tips and techniques for and by blind or visually impaired individuals. "Fred's Head" is easy to use and full of useful information covering a wide range of subjects, including accessible technology, daily living skills, child care, education and many more.