For people who have difficulty reading the Bainbridge Island Review due to vision loss or learning disabilities, the Bainbridge Island Visually Impaired Persons Support Group is now providing audio recordings.

“This is such great service,” said Steve Powell, editor of the Kitsap News Group newspapers, including the Review. “Now even more people can find out what’s going on locally so they can become more of a part of the community.”

Bainbridge Islanders may sign up for the service online at nfb.org or by calling the WTBBL, which verifies that the recipient is a library patron. A WTBBL representative said patrons can also access the free service with a mobile app. “It’s kind of like I Heart Radio on your Alexa.” People can also access it through the website or email.

The audio newspaper service produced by NFB-Newsline through the National Federation for the Blind is provided by the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library in Seattle, which shares the recordings statewide. NFB helps subscribers access more than 100 national and international newspapers and magazines, including the Associated Press, Christian Science Monitor, Stars and Stripes, USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, AARP Magazine and more.

Anyone who cannot read printed publications due to vision loss, dyslexia or a physical disability is eligible. Readers may register by calling WTBBL or the National Federation of the Blind at 866-504-7300 to request an application or apply online at www.nfbnewsline.net. After registration is processed, patrons receive a message containing activation codes and instructions.

In addition to audio recordings, WTBBL produces approximately 200 new audiobook titles each year. Three full-time staff and over 100 volunteers, including narrators and reviewers, make the production possible.

The next BI Visually Impaired Persons Support Group meeting will be at the BI Senior Center and on Zoom Nov. 8 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. To register, call 206-780-2835. For details about the WTBBL at wtbbl.org.