Christian Record Services for the Blind

Christian Record Services for the Blind (CRSB) was a non-profit organization designed to benefit the blind and visually impaired.[1][2] "Christian Record Services for the Blind is an international organization serving blind and visually impaired individuals in approximately 80 countries worldwide and employs about 160 people throughout the United States and Canada."[2][3] It is a ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church but services blind people regardless of beliefs.[4]

Location

Christian Record Services for the Blind
PO Box 6097
Lincoln, NE 68506

History

Christian Record Services for the Blind (CRSB) was founded in 1899 by Austin Orlando Wilson.[5] Wilson, who was blinded by a tragic accident earlier in life, was disappointed that there was not more material available for the blind and undertook making material of his own. The first 75 issues of the Christian Record were produced using a washing machine hand wringer for a printing press.[5]

In 1900, a yearly subscription to Christian Record cost $1.50.[6] This fee was eliminated in 1912[6] and Christian Record, along with a host of other publications, is now provided free of charge.

December 30, 1902, CRSB headquarters in Battle Creek, Michigan were burned to the ground. Fortunately, there were no casualties. However, an estimated $300,000 in damages was incurred by CRSB and the section housing its equipment and supplies.[7]

Christian Record Services for the Blind moved to a temporary location provided by one of its sister institutions, Union College (Nebraska) in 1904.[6] CRSB had several temporary locations from 1904 to 1912. May 28, 1912, CRS purchased a building across the street from Union College (Nebraska) for $2,700. This would be CRSB's headquarters until 1936 when they would move their headquarters to South 48th and Bancroft streets in Lincoln.[6]

In 1933-34, CRSB had an exhibit at the World's Fair in Chicago, Illinois.

June 24–28, 1963, CRSB workers moved into their spacious new headquarters at 52nd and Linden streets. The new headquarters boasted 27,800 in square footage and cost an estimated $387,000. At CRSB's open house on October 7, then Nebraska state governor Frank B. Morrison gave the opening remarks. Also in attendance were Robert S. Bray, Chief of the Division for the Blind, Library of Congress, and former Nebraska Senator, Carl T. Curtis.[6]

In 1967, CRSB opened the first ever summer camp for the blind at Kulaqua in High Springs, Florida at Kulaqua Retreat and Conference Center with 23 youth.[5][8] Over 48,000 individuals have attended CRSB's blind camps across North America since their inception.[9][10]

March 26, 1969, former first lady Patricia Nixon accepts an invitation by former Nebraska senator Carl T. Curtis to join Christian Record's advisory board.[11]

In 1970, CRSB started putting its books onto audio cassette tapes.

September 2010, CRSB was awarded the Lincoln Nebraska Integrity Award [12] by the Better Business Bureau.

July 2011, CRSB started releasing its audio books on cartridges specially designed by the National Library Service for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Beginning in 2014, audio cassettes were discontinued in favor of the new digital cartridges.

Lending library

Christian Record Services lending library contains more than 1,200 volumes in Braille and digital cartridges free of charge for the blind and visually impaired.[13]

Magazine subscriptions

Christian Record Services offers free large-print and Braille inspirational magazines. Among magazines offered are: Light (bi-monthly large-print magazine for adults, circulation 12,228), The Children's Friend (quarterly Braille magazine for children 9-12, circulation 1,116), The Student (weekly Bible lessons, circulation unknown), Amazing Facts Bible Correspondence Course (circulation unknown), and Christian Record.[14]

Full-vision books

Full-vision books are books that both sighted children and blind parents can read, or vice versa. Transparent plastic sheets with Braille dots printed on them accompany large-print text. Sighted parents can teach their children to read, or sighted children can read the print while mom or dad reads the Braille portion of the page.[15]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.visionaware.org/find_religious_products
  2. 1 2 http://www.christianrecord.org/aboutus/index.php
  3. ↑ http://www.visionaware.org/ne_nevada_vision_services
  4. ↑ Personal Ministries.
  5. 1 2 3 http://www.christianrecord.org/aboutus/history.php
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Treolo, John . Christian Record: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. 1985.
  7. ↑ Treolo, John. Christian Record: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. 1985.
  8. ↑ http://www.blindcamps.org
  9. ↑ Better Business Bureau http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/national/toc/christian-record-services-for-the-blind-in-lincoln-ne-487#charPrograms
  10. ↑
  11. ↑ Lincoln Foundation
  12. ↑ http://nebraska.bbb.org/article/better-business-bureau-honors-lincolns-2010-integrity-award-winners-22490
  13. ↑ http://services.christianrecord.org
  14. ↑ CRSB Headquarters Library
  15. ↑ http://services.christianrecord.org/fullvis.php
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