TIME says Time for TIME to go BIG TIME
Professor David Demko, PhD
AgeVenture News Service
Face it, baby boomers. You're not getting any younger. And your eyes aren't getting any better. And your arms aren't getting any longer. Soon you won't be able to hold that TIME magazine far enough away from your aging eyes to read the fine print. No big deal ... TIME's gone BIG TIME ... as in LARGE PRINT ... as in 16 POINT TYPE. Wow, when they say LARGE, they mean business. By the way, the standard point size of most text in American newspapers is only 9 point type.
So, why now? And why so big? Here's my FINAL ANSWER. 13.5 million Americans have some form of vision impairment and all of us have a parent, a neighbor, a friend ... or E-GAD ... ourself who has trouble reading small print. Guess that's why TIME says their new Large Edition has been received with tremendous enthusiasm from communities of people with low vision. Hey, does that mean that people who can't read TIME, are more enthusiastic about it. Sorry. Just kidding. It really is a great read.
Large print reading material isn't all that new. Things like Reader's Digest and library books for the visually impaired have been around for decades. But TIME is mainstream stuff. Look at this week's cover photo for heaven's sake. It's Leo. You can't get more mainstream, pop culture than that. LARGE PRINT. This time it's UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL.
Large print? Larger issue? Oh sure. I hear ya. "That large print issue will have to be thick as a brick, or at least the equivalent of the New York City Yellow Pages." Not so, assures TIME Magazine. Even though the large print edition will feature 80 to 85% of TIME's regular weekly content, the BIG TIME issue was about as thick, or thin, as the regular issue. Sorry ladies, the photo of Leo on the cover of BIG TIME is no larger than the regular issue.
Don't be embarrassed to own a Large Print magazine. After all, you are not alone ... 78 million baby boomers have made "Live'n Large" the latest trend. Even Leo looks like he's squinting.
Check out other Large Print reading materials in the following locations.
- Your local library. They should have
large print and TALKING BOOKS for visually impaired.
- Local PBS radio stations sometimes read the newspaper headlines
for the homebound visually impaired. Check your phone
directory for station call-numbers.
- The Lighthouse for the Blind
www.lighthouse.org) offers numerous aids for the visually impaired.
- The Library of Congress publishes an annual
report on reading resources for the handicapped. Check their website online at: www.loc.gov
Image credit: TIME Magazine. Photo credit: Brigitte Lacombe.
David Demko reports on lifestyle issues and trends in Aging America.
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