Here are the rules, you can find them by searching on Google.
Mailing Free Matter for Persons Who are Blind or Visually Impaired
Questions and Answers
Publication 347
October 2015
Consumer and Industry Affairs, U.S. Postal Service®, has produced this
pamphlet. The pamphlet answers the questions asked most often about mailing
free matter domestically for the blind and other eligible persons with
impairments. The information in this pamphlet is based on the 39 United
States Code sections 3403-3405, as implemented by 703.5.0 of the Mailing
Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®).
Q: Who is eligible to mail items free of postage due to a physical
impairment?
A: Persons who are blind or who cannot read or use conventionally printed
matter due to a physical impairment (referred to throughout this brochure as
“eligible persons”), as follows:
1.. Certified participants in the Library of Congress National Library
Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
2.. Blind persons that fit one of the following criteria:
1.. Visual acuity, as determined by competent authority, is 20/200 or
less in the better eye with correcting lenses, or
2.. Widest diameter of visual field subtends angular distance no greater
than 20 degrees.
3.. Other persons with physical impairments certified by a competent
authority as meeting one or more of the following conditions:
1.. Having a visual disability, with correction and regardless of
optical measurement, that prevents the reading of standard printed material.
2.. Being unable to read or to use standard printed material because of
physical limitations.
3.. Having a reading disability resulting from organic dysfunction that
is severe enough to prevent their reading printed material in a normal
manner.
4.. Meeting the requirements of eligibility resulting from a
degenerative, variable disease that renders them unable to read or use
conventional printed material because of impaired eyesight or other physical
factors. These persons are eligible during the time in which they are
certified by a competent authority as unable to read or use conventional
materials.
4.. Persons must be:
1.. Residents of the United States, including its territories, insular
possessions, and the District of Columbia, or
2.. American citizens domiciled abroad.
Q: I fit in one of those categories. What must I do to qualify to mail items
free of postage?
A: You may have a competent authority certify in writing that you are unable
to read conventional reading matter.
a.. A competent authority includes doctors of medicine; doctors of
osteopathy; ophthalmologists; optometrists; registered nurses; therapists;
and professional staff of hospitals, institutions, and public or private
welfare agencies (e.g., social workers, caseworkers, counselors,
rehabilitation teachers, and superintendents).
b.. In the absence of any of these, certification may be made by
professional librarians or by any person whose competence under specific
circumstances is acceptable to the Library of Congress (see 36 CFR
701.10(b)(2)(i)). In the case of a reading disability from organic
dysfunction, “competent authority” is defined as doctors of medicine and
doctors of osteopathy.
A postmaster may extend the free matter privilege to you based on his or her
personal knowledge of your eligibility. Persons who are not considered to be
blind or unable to read or use conventionally printed material who want to
use the free matter privilege for mailing must provide evidence of
eligibility, or verify by other means, that the intended recipient of the
mail matter is eligible to receive free matter.
Q: Where must I submit the evidence of eligibility?
A: You must submit the evidence of eligibility to the Post Office™ where you
will make or receive postage-free mailings. Upon verification, you will then
be considered eligible to use the free mailing privilege.
Q: What can I, as an eligible person, mail free of postage?
A: An eligible person may mail the following free of postage:
1.. Unsealed letters that contain no advertising. The letters must be
printed in raised characters (Braille), in 14-point or larger sight-saving
type, or be in the form of sound recordings.
2.. Any of the eligible matter for the use of eligible persons, as
described in the next question.
You cannot mail free of postage handwritten, printed, or typed letters that
are in a type size smaller than 14-point. These letters are subject to the
applicable rate. Other items not eligible for free postage include the
following:
a.. Bills paid by an eligible person, and
a.. Letters in any form from sighted individuals to eligible persons.
Q: What matter may I, a non-eligible person, send free of postage for the
use of eligible persons?
A: Under the conditions specified below, the following matter is eligible:
1.. Reading matter in Braille or 14-point or larger sight-saving type,
musical scores, and sound reproductions.
2.. Paper, records, tapes, and other matter for the production of reading
matter, musical scores, or sound reproductions.
3.. Equipment and parts for equipment, such as Braille writers, used for
writing by eligible persons or for educational purposes.
4.. Sound playback equipment, reproducers, and parts for sound
reproductions specially designed or adapted for the use of persons with
visual impairments.
5.. Equipment or parts for equipment specifically designed or adapted for
use by persons with visual impairments, such as Braille watches, white
canes, and similar equipment.
Q: Are there restrictions on this matter?
A: The following restrictions apply to this matter:
a.. May not contain any advertising.
b.. Must be sent either free of charge or at a charge, rental,
subscription, or other fee that does not exceed the item’s cost.
c.. Must be open to inspection by the Postal Service™ and have a complete
return address.
d.. Must meet all other generally applicable mailing requirements.
Note: Empty shipping materials for mailing eligible matter may not be sent
free and must bear the full applicable postage.
Q: Who can mail eligible matter postage-free and to whom can it be mailed?
A: Individuals, libraries, and other noncommercial organizations, which
serve eligible persons, may mail eligible matter free of postage to persons
or organizations serving such persons who meet the eligibility requirements.
Eligible persons may return eligible matter to these mailers free of
postage. Eligible persons may exchange eligible matter among themselves free
of postage. Libraries and other noncommercial organizations may exchange
such matter among themselves free of postage.
Commercial producers of the eligible matter may mail such matter free of
postage to an eligible person on the additional condition that if a charge
or fee is required it does not exceed the cost of the matter.
Q: What class of mail is this matter?
A: It is not considered part of any particular class of mail. However, it is
treated as First-Class Mail® for purposes of processing, delivery and
forwarding, and return if undeliverable. The matter must meet the applicable
letter, flat, or parcel mailability standards.
Q: Why is my item not sealed against postal inspection?
A: The Postal Service must be able to inspect the item to ensure that the
matter qualifies for postage-free mailing.
Q: Are extra services available with postage-free mail?
A: A mailer may insure a postage-free item by paying only the required
insurance fee. Use of extra services, such as Certified Mail® or Registered
Mail™, requires payment of applicable fees.
Q: What must be marked on the mail to show that it qualifies for mailing
free of postage?
A: You must place the words “FREE MATTER FOR THE BLIND OR HANDICAPPED” in
the upper right corner of the address side of the envelope or parcel where
the postage would normally be placed. The words may be printed, rubber
stamped, or handwritten.
Q: Are special arrangements possible for delivery or pickup of free mail for
eligible persons?
A: Eligibility for free mailing for the blind or other visually handicapped
persons does not encompass such special arrangements. Post Offices may be
able to make special arrangements depending on the local circumstances. You
should contact your local Post Office to request special arrangements. Such
requests will be handled in accordance with postal regulations concerning
requests for special arrangements by persons with visual impairments.
Q: Since this brochure is about mailing free matter for the blind
domestically, where can I find information about mailing free matter for the
blind internationally?
A: You can refer to the IMM Section 270 to learn about eligibility and the
conditions for using free international mailing privileges. You can find the
IMM at http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/welcome.htm.
Q: Where can I get help if problems occur while using the procedures for
mailing free matter for the blind and visually impaired?
A: Most problems can be resolved at your local Post Office. You may make
inquiries or express concerns by telephone, letter, or in person. If a
problem cannot be resolved satisfactorily at your local Post Office, you may
call our Customer Care Center toll-free number at 1-800-ASK-USPS
(1-800-275-8777).
----- Original Message -----
From: "Karen Lewellen" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2020 9:40 PM
Subject: Re: Off Topic Free Matter for the Blind Shipping
Hi folks,
When this thread came up, someone shared a link to the actual rules.
i cannot find that post, but am on another list where the issue is being
discussed.
Anyone mind providing the information again?
Thanks,
On Wed, 19 Aug 2020, Ibraheem Fakir wrote:
> Hey there,
>
> Anyone use free matter for the blind shipping and have any guidelines on
> how to use it? I tried using it the other day at the post office to send
> braille books to a student, but the post office seemed like they had no
> idea what to do and referred me to go to a library to ship my package.
> Realizing how unaware they were, I decided not to push on and to cross
> check with others to make sure I’m doing this right. Do I need any special
> card or something in order to use the service? I simply wrote free matter
> for the blind on the box.
>
> The post office seemed to have an issue with me being an individual
> sending the package. They said that only libraries can use the service. ON
> the contrary, my research seems to show that anyone who is sending
> materials to eligible patrons can use the service. They weren’t trying to
> hear that LOL. Sometimes when advocating for your rights and the rights of
> others is exhausting…
>
> All best,
> Ibraheem
>
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The following information is important for all members of the Mac Visionaries
list.
If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you
feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or
moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself.
Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor. You can reach mark at:
[email protected] and your owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at
[email protected]
The archives for this list can be searched at:
http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
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