A keyer is absolutely not eligible to be mailed as "Free Matter for the
Blind."  It is not made specifically for a blind person and does not fit
within either the letter or spirit of the postal regulations. Knowingly
misusing the "Free Matter for the Blind," privilege is both unethical and
illegal.  

As the President of the South Central Kentucky Council of the Blind, I have
studied the postal regulations quite closely and even conferred with the
postal authorities to be sure I understood the regulations before we used
the "Free Matter for the Blind" stamped on our mailings and shipments going
to our members, mailing materials to doctors' offices, etc.  Believe it or
not, the postal inspectors will and do inspect some mailings and shipments
to be sure they are not in violation of the postal regulations.  No, they
do not inspect everything that is sent as "Free Matter for the Blind," but
they will check anything that looks even a little suspicious.  

To use the "Free Matter for the Blind" mailing privilege, your item must be
specifically for a legally blind person or persons and includes Braille and
large print matter and devices designed for the specific use of blind
people.  A Victor Reader Stream can be sent as "Free Matter for the Blind,"
but an Olympus DS-50, which has speech built into it, cannot be sent as
"Free Matter for the Blind" because the Olympus DS-50 was not designed
specifically for the blind; though, it can certainly be used by the blind.
In like manner, all of the Apple products, e.g. iPhone Apple TV, etc.
cannot be shipped as "Free Matter for the Blind," even though they all have
Voiceover built into them and can be used by a blind person.  

Ron M.


Dr. Ronald E. Milliman, retired Professor Western Kentucky University

Chair, American Council of the Blind Public Relations Committee
Monthly Monetary Support Program (MMS) Committee