500 Midlands citizens attend RFB&D luncheon
By Jackie Perrone jacper@juno.com

In S.C., it is estimated that more than 55,000 schoolchildren suffer from reading disabilities. Because of blindness and/or dyslexia, they are unable to learn from the printed page, and thus fall behind in school progress very early. Yet an almost magical solution to their problem has been developed, and RFB&D is spreading the word so early intervention can bring them into the mainstream of learning.

RFB&D stands for Reading For the Blind and Dyslexic. It's a program headquartered in Princeton N.J., and its S.C. offspring has been bringing audio books into schools and libraries for just a few short years.

At a luncheon meeting in West Columbia on April 1, some 500 Midlands citizens turned out to hear the success stories of RFB&D. Libby Anne Inabinet is state director; local people serve on the board and as volunteers with the program.

Joshua Burns and his mother Lavonda Mayers joined with Dr. Janice Washington, Joshua's special education teacher, to tell his story. Fifth- grader Joshua could not learn from the printed page and was losing ground and interest in his schoolwork. When Dr. Washington obtained the RFB&S audio books for him, his progress amazed his family and his teachers. He calls it Hope.

"I had quit trying in school," he said. "I couldn't do what the others were doing, and I just gave up. Now I am learning on grade level, and I want to go to college some day."

The special education teachers say that Joshua's story is repeated over and over in their schools. These children are amazed when they find they can learn the assigned material just like everyone else.

Everyone connected with RFB&D is convinced of its value in bringing enlightenment to struggling students. They need community support in the form of volunteer time and money. Their goal is to have recorded books available to every person who needs them in S.C.

Traci Young Cooper, a former S.C. Teacher of the Year, now works in the Richland District 1 office. She formerly taught special needs students at Alcorn Middle School and made use of the RFB&D recordings for her students. "This enables children with reading difficulties to proceed at their own pace," she has said. "It helps give them independence."

Worldwide, RFB&D distributes more than a quarter million titles last year. There's a constant need for new titles, considering that students and schools request everything from elementary school storybooks to law school textbooks. Their clientele is not limited to schools. All vision- impaired readers are served, a population expected to continue increasing as Americans live longer.

For help, call Libby Anne Inabinet at 803- 463- 1400, or Leah McKee, Development Assistant, 803- 463- 8700.