Find out more about ABLE
Our Mission:
Providing alternative ways for people with print disabilities to read.
"How could we NOT just
plunge right in!"
Founding Member, Jean Atkinson,
on the creation of our organization.
Our History:
In 1963, a small group of trained braillists and braille students began to transcribe textbooks for the students in two Milwaukee area schools under the name of The Transcription Center.
When it became evident that Wisconsin had no central transcription agency to serve the entire state, this group decided to make its services available throughout the state and include taped and large print materials as part of its services.
With no funds to seed such an operation, nine enthusiastic volunteers sought donations from friends, organizations, and corporations to purchase materials and equipment. By 1965, and under the name of Volunteer Services for the Visually Handicapped, the hard working group of 180 volunteers were serving all of Wisconsin and beyond.
After their initial fund raising efforts proved to be successful, the Milwaukee City Librarian assured this all-volunteer group that they would be given permanent quarters in the Downtown Central Library building, as an auxiliary to the Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
In 2008, the name was again changed to Audio & Braille Literacy Enhancement, Inc. (ABLE) to better reflect the group's mission and services.
Although ABLE is still located within Central Library, it became a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 1988.