Creative Access: Imagination Storybooks
Special Guest: Richard Rieman
Children’s books usually have wonderful illustrations that accompany the text. The tradition of reading these books aloud makes the text accessible to children who are blind or partially sighted, but what about the illustrations? This month’s guest will share his unique approach to making illustrated children’s books accessible to all children.
Author Richard Rieman (Ree’ man) wanted to be Superman, but he couldn’t fly, so he decided to be Clark Kent instead. After a long career as a radio news reporter, anchor, and Washington Bureau Chief, Richard turned his storytelling skills to the world of audiobooks. He has narrated and produced hundreds of Indie-published audiobooks and is the author of the award-winning book, The Author’s Guide to Audiobook Creation. Richard was a volunteer narrator for Learning Ally, reading books for the blind, as well as being a ski guide for blind skiers. Combining both interests, Richard created Imagination Storybooks, a nonprofit organization that makes children’s illustrated books accessible to all children by creating audiobooks with audio description of the pictures for blind children, and video books with captions and sign language for deaf and neurodiverse children with learning challenges.
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