The Washington Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL) plays an essential role in making literature accessible to individuals with visual impairments and physical disabilities. In this interview with Ron Chew, author, former Executive Director of the Wing Luke Museum, former editor of the International Examiner, and current Trustee of the Seattle Public Library, and John Pai, Audio Book Production Supervisor at WTBBL and former Exhibition Media Designer at the Wing Luke Museum, we explore the importance of accessible literature, the process of producing audiobooks, and how these efforts help preserve and share AANHPI (Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander) stories.
Role of the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library
International Examiner: John, how does the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library play a crucial role in making literature accessible to individuals with visual impairments or physical disabilities?
John Pai: WTBBL ensures that patrons who are visually impaired or physically handicapped have equal access to literature. We focus on making books accessible in formats that work for them, whether that’s through audiobooks, Braille, or specialized equipment provided by the state. We make sure patrons can access the same stories and content as everyone else.
IE: Can you elaborate on the specific services and formats the library offers to cater to the diverse needs of its patrons?
JP: Our services include audiobooks, Braille books, and the necessary equipment to make these materials accessible. We also ensure the content is relevant and meaningful to the communities we serve by collaborating with local authors like Ron Chew to capture local voices and experiences.
Collaboration with Authors
IE: Ron, can you share what it was like narrating your autobiography, My Unforgotten Seattle, for WTBBL? How did this process contribute to making your story more accessible?
Ron Chew: Narrating my own story was a unique experience. I wanted to bring my own voice to the narrative, giving it an authenticity that a professional narrator might not capture. The process allowed me to reflect on my work in a new way and ensure that listeners, especially those who might be visually impaired, could connect with the emotional aspects of my life and community work.
IE: John, you’ve been involved with audiobooks for many years, including your experience with WTBBL. How do you decide which authors should narrate their own stories, and what do you see as the main benefits of this approach?
JP: For autobiographies, when possible, it’s always best for the author to tell their own story. There’s a personal connection that’s hard to replicate with a hired narrator. When Ron narrated his book, the nuances of his experiences came through in a way that only he could deliver. That kind of authenticity enriches the listener’s experience, especially in personal memoirs.
IE: Can you share the audiobook cadence and how it was shaped during the production process?
RC: I realized that reading the book aloud gave it a different cadence than when I wrote it. The rhythm of the writing didn’t always feel natural in oral translation. It became a different style altogether.
JP: We provide local authors with the training to build stamina for recording, teaching them how to navigate the software, and helping them estimate their reading time across different types of texts. The key challenge is to capture the story without dramatizing it. Patrons of the library don’t want an acted-out audiobook—they want a nuanced story, presented authentically. Ten different voices can make things confusing; we emphasize simplicity and clarity. Our patrons ‘see with their ears,’ and the nuanced storytelling is vital to their experience.
Impact and Reach of the Audiobook
IE: Ron, your autobiography covers many aspects of Seattle’s Chinatown-International District (C-ID) and its evolution. How do you hope this audiobook will resonate with listeners, particularly in the AANHPI community?
RC: The audiobook is an extension of the print edition, which was already aimed at highlighting the immigrant and Asian American experience in Seattle. By making it accessible in this format, we’re opening the door to even more people who may have difficulty with traditional print media but still want to engage with these important stories of community and resilience.
IE: John, can you share an example of how audiobooks like Ron’s have impacted WTBBL’s patrons?
JP: The feedback we get from our patrons is often that they feel more connected to their communities through the books we make accessible. Ron’s story, in particular, is one that resonates with older generations who remember those early days of the C-ID, as well as younger people who are learning about their community’s history for the first time.
IE: What are the library’s future goals to expand its reach and impact, especially with the growing demand for digital formats and media?
JP: One of our major upcoming projects is podcasting. With the rise of digital media, podcasting provides a new platform for making stories even more accessible. We want to continue exploring ways to integrate audio with other formats like digital content and video to ensure that everyone, no matter their abilities, can access the rich history and stories that WTBBL and our partners like Ron Chew provide.
We’ve uploaded My Unforgotten Seattle available in a second edition on YouTube and through the library, as Ron and I are committed to making this story accessible to as many people as possible. Print editions tell the story of Asian American, Chinese American, immigrant experiences, and the history of Seattle and the Chinatown-International District. It’s a story Ron envisioned primarily for the baby-boomer generation, but it resonates with so many others as well.
The books go up to NARA (National Archives and Records Administration) and the Library of Congress, where they are kept in perpetuity. YouTube and other platforms like Densho are great for housing undiluted information for broader audiences. We want to ensure that the stories of the AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) community are accessible across generations and that they remain a part of the larger conversation on history and identity.
Author’s perspective: The origins of My Unforgotten Seattle
IE: Ron, your book explores Seattle’s history and your personal journey through the lens of activism and leadership. What inspired you to write My Unforgotten Seattle?
RC: My Unforgotten Seattle was a five-year journey of research that began in 2020. It all started when I was reflecting on the fragility of life, especially after the tragic murder of Donnie Chin, which had a profound impact on me and other community leaders. The loss of Donnie Chin was a stark reminder that we need to document our histories before they’re forgotten. I began looking back through personal letters and assembling a narrative of a community that has evolved over time—a community that was less diverse and tolerant than it is now. I wanted to tell that story before more time passed.
IE: How did you find the time to write the book while working full time and being a single parent?
RC: It was all about creating structure. With two young kids at home, I realized I had to use my time wisely. I’d start my day with a run to get my brain cells unfrozen, then I’d make breakfast, get the kids ready, and go to work. It was a matter of discipline, carving out the early mornings to write before everything else started.”
IE: Can you share some of the methodology and inspirations behind creating your autobiography?
RC: I went to the public library and read other autobiographies, novels, and books, trying to find a voice and style that resonated with me. Eventually, I found a formula that worked—short chapters, large type for accessibility, and visuals, including photos. I even ended up finding inspiration in the Young Adult section. The best YA authors have a way of getting to the core of the story, communicating effectively to large audiences. Authors like Trevor Noah influenced my approach with their ability to blend humor and insight into serious subjects.
Collaboration and Community: John Pai’s Role in My Unforgotten Seattle
IE: John, can you talk about your collaboration with Ron Chew on the imagery for My Unforgotten Seattle?
JP: Ron and I have always collaborated easily, going back to when we worked on the Chinese Oral History Project, before our time at Wing Luke. For My Unforgotten Seattle, I was asked to help with the book’s imagery, incorporating community members and photos by people like Jeff Hanada. Our collaboration has always been direct and smooth, and this project was no different.
In addition to the work I do at the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library, I’ve been involved in various media projects. Ron was a key interviewer for many of them, and it’s always been about uplifting our community’s stories in a meaningful way. My transition into working with the Talking Book and Braille Library began through my media work at Wing Luke, where I was contacted by another journalist, Emily Wong, to work on the I-400 Citizen Project. That project dealt with translating documents in over 600 languages, which led me to the radio reading service. From there, I found a new home with the Talking Book and Braille Library, where we’ve continued to support our communities through accessible storytelling.”
RC: Working with John was seamless. He’s always had a unique ability to visually capture the essence of a story and elevate it to another level. His contributions to My Unforgotten Seattle helped bring the narrative to life.
IE: You’ve held leadership roles in several significant cultural institutions, such as the Wing Luke Museum and the International Examiner. How did your experiences in these roles influence the creation of the book and your decision to narrate it?
RC: Both my work at the Wing Luke Museum and the International Examiner gave me a deep connection to the community. These roles allowed me to interact with people from all walks of life, which shaped the stories I wanted to tell. Narrating the book myself felt like an extension of that work—connecting with people directly through my voice and memories.”
Community and cultural impact
IE: Ron, how do you hope your audiobook contributes to the broader conversation around AANHPI history and culture in the Pacific Northwest?
RC: It’s about preserving stories that might otherwise be lost. My hope is that it will inspire others in the community to share their own stories and create a more comprehensive record of our history. The more we can document and share, the more we can ensure that future generations understand the struggles and triumphs that brought us to where we are today.”
IE: John, you’ve worked extensively with WTBBL, KBCS, and other organizations to preserve stories from marginalized communities. How do you see WTBBL’s role in preserving and amplifying voices within the AANHPI community?
JP: Our role is to ensure that these stories aren’t just preserved but are made accessible to the widest audience possible. By working with authors like Ron, we’re not only documenting history but also making it available in a format that reaches people who may have previously been excluded from these narratives due to physical or technological barriers.”
Bridging the gap between history, accessibility, and community empowerment
Through their collaborative efforts, Ron Chew and John Pai are helping to bridge the gap between history, accessibility, and community empowerment. The Washington Talking Book and Braille Library, with its focus on making literature accessible to individuals with disabilities, plays a crucial role in ensuring that AANHPI stories, like those found in My Unforgotten Seattle, reach audiences who may have been historically excluded from these narratives. Ron’s deeply personal storytelling and John’s dedication to creating high-quality audio experiences represent more than just technological advancements—they are acts of cultural preservation and advocacy.
By capturing the voices, struggles, and triumphs of the Pacific Northwest’s AANHPI communities, Ron and John are amplifying stories that highlight resilience, unity, and social justice. As technology continues to evolve, their work will continue to ensure that future generations have access to these vital narratives, preserving them as part of the broader American and global histories.
Their work serves as an important reminder that accessibility is not just about making books available—it’s about ensuring that every story has a voice and that every voice has a platform. Through the ongoing efforts of WTBBL, and the cultural impact of authors like Ron, marginalized communities will continue to find spaces to tell their stories and make their histories heard.
