While the Jacobus tenBroek Library serves as a repository of the history of the organized blind by collecting literature and maintaining the archives of the National Federation of the Blind, we also recognize that much of the history of the blind resides in our lived experience, and we are committed to recording that history.
From time to time, Federationists have tapped the memories of their friends and colleagues by conducting interviews. We are now formalizing this activity through the oral history program.
We are organizing the existing recordings of oral history interviews, and we are encouraging Federationists to create more such recordings.
More Information
If you are interested in participating in the oral history program, we have prepared a guide to oral history interviewing, a release form, and a sample oral history transcript. Please take a look at these documents, try your hand at oral history, and let us know of your results, including any problems and, of course, any gems you may unearth.
Descriptions and interview logs for many of the recordings in oral history program are now available in the THE CANE TIP. Access to the recordings is available by request. For more information, please email us at [email protected] or call 410-659-9314, extension 2310.