HELPING VISUALLY IMPAIRED; RECORDING BOOKS BRINGS FULFILLMENT.

Byline: Angela Randazzo Staff Writer

When Joyce Springer retired three years ago, she was looking for something challenging and worthwhile to fill her time - goals that were fulfilled when she became a volunteer for Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic.

Now she spends several hours a week in the agency's West Hills studio, recording textbooks onto audio cassettes for students - kindgergarten through post-grad - who can't read because of visual, perceptual or physical disabilities.

``I wanted to do something that involved education and reading enhancement,'' said Springer of Simi Valley. ``I love working with everyone there and getting a sense of being a broadcast announcer.''

Tom Englehart, also of Simi Valley, began volunteering for RFB&D seven years ago when he retired as a computer specialist in the aerospace industry.

``I do a little bit of everything. I'm a reader, and I code the books for the taping,'' said Englehart, 70. ``Everyone pitches in. It's a real team effort.''

Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic is a nonprofit organization with a master library of more than 77,000 titles. The organization serves more than 50,000 students nationwide, including 2,400 in Southern California. The Los Angeles Unit has 20 recording booths in three studio locations in Los Angeles, El Segundo and West Hills.

The RFB&D seeks detailed-oriented volunteers who are knowledgeable in topics that include math, science, computer, history and medicine.

``It's helpful if our volunteers are familiar with their topics,'' said Karen Palmer, West Hills Studio director. ``Someone with a scientific background can understand an equation and read it in a way that makes sense to the listener.''

Anne T. MacDonald founded Recording for the Blind in 1948 to help veterans blinded in World War II who were attending college under the GI Bill. The organization grew from one studio in the New York Library to 21 regional units operating in 32 studios across the country.

In 1995, ``dyslexic'' was added to the organizations name to include the growing population of students unable to read printed materials because of learning disabilities.

In addition to recording the text, RFB&D volunteers check tapes for errors, direct other readers during the recording sessions, mark the books to show where text, charts, tables, photos are to be read or described, duplicate tapes and ship tapes to the borrowers.

``It's great knowing I'm helping out people who need it,'' said Englehart. ``It's what keeps me young.''

For information on Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, call (800) RFB-TEXT.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

PHOTO (1 -- 2) Tom Englehart (left) is shown in the recording booth of a West Hills studio. He and another volunteer (top) review material to be recorded later.