ABLE volunteers make every day Independence Day for many individuals

Milwaukee, WI – After 43 years, Volunteer Services for the Visually Handicapped has officially changed the name of the organization to Audio & Braille Literacy Enhancement, Inc. The new name and accompanying logo bring a fresh, modern approach to the delivery of services. ABLE's volunteers make every day Independence Day for hundreds of blind and visually impaired individuals, as well as others who are unable to read standard print materials.

"It is my hope that our new name helps spread the word about the options ABLE makes available to people who are not able to read standard print," Executive Director Cheryl Orgas said. "Some members of our community may not be familiar with the unique transcription services we provide. Thanks to our volunteers, we are ABLE to transcribe everything from school and college textbooks to restaurant menus to opera librettos to make them more accessible for individuals in the Milwaukee area and beyond."

"Our new name also reflects the commitment of our ABLE Volunteers and ABLE Board in making sure that everyone in our community can access printed materials and information," Board President Cheri McGrath added. "Thanks to our great staff of ABLE volunteers, individuals needing this assistance are ABLE to access more information than ever before."

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Audio and Braille Literacy Enhancement, Inc. (ABLE) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that provides alternative ways for people with print disabilities to read. The organization was started in 1965 by a group of volunteers who learned how to braille in order to transcribe textbooks for blind students at local elementary schools. Today, ABLE provides braille and audio transcriptions of books and other printed materials for persons who are blind, visually impaired or have print disabilities that prevent them from reading standard print. The ABLE Office is in the Central Milwaukee Public Library downtown, next to the Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.