Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Very elderly grandmother losing her sight but loves to read. whats the best, simple audio book player? (self.Blind)
submitted by chelsea9898
She's 97 and not up with technology at all. She loves to read but is now blind in one eye and the other is not so good either. What would be the best suited reader for her? Nice big buttons, simple to use, capacity for a lot of books (she'd previously read 5 a week I believe). Maybe a synthetic voice or normal actor read books. I've seen the Milestone 312 which looks promising but I'd love to hear from users what they suggest, and in particular for someone so elderly. Thanks in advance.
jrs12 9 points 4y ago
The National Library Service got the Blind and Physically Handicapped has BARD players that have very few buttons and are free. They send you cartridges you put in the player. They are very easy to order and send back. I think individuals who are older like these players a lot because they aren't over complicated technology.
pokersnek 2 points 4y ago
Yeah. The NLS players have big buttons with high contrast print on them and Braille. They look like a big old chunky cassette player, but they work off of little USB sticks.
chelsea9898 [OP] 1 points 4y ago
thank you. i came across the daisy player as well which we could load up with books and audio. with cartridges, they could be misplaced etc.
AllHarlowsEve 2 points 4y ago
Is she hooked up with the RNIB? I know that they have a program for audio books but I can't remember what it's called. Even if that doesn't get her all the books she would like to read, it'd still make a dent and be significantly cheaper.
chelsea9898 [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Thanks, ones at their site earlier and they have a 20-25k library for audio books which is great. Going to get her on there. It may be while she has sight left in one of her eyes we go kindle or tablet and then at some point audio only like the milestone or the daisy.
PolariChat 1 points 4y ago
If you are in the UK RNIB is your best bet(overdrive) call the helpline. They will give you a bunch of information. If she has a library card they also do overdrive a more limited selection. Get a cheap tablet from Argos and set it up. Depending the area she lives RNIB will pop round and set it all up for her. Change the TV setting to audio description. It's easy to use. That will give her all the audio books she needs. Im in Scotland message me if you want more information.
zkbthealien 1 points 4y ago
Hoopla it is free through most libraries. U may need to set it up for her but once that is complete you get 12 free audio books per month. Also have movies and TV shows. Pretty simple interface too
chelsea9898 [OP] 1 points 4y ago
hi, sorry i should have said that we're in the UK. i think she does 5 books a week so that would take her over the borrowing limit. she doesnt watch much tv at all. basically she reads and listens to jazz. would the daisy reader thing be the best for that? https://www.amazon.com/Talking-Daisy-Book-Media-Player/dp/B01B6PQF2Y/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_121_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3MEQJ8MY6KW9NZP0HR80#customerReviews
retrolental_morose 1 points 4y ago
How about an Amazon Echo? It'll play radio, and books from Audible which you could buy on her behalf. Also a talking clock, newspaper and communication tool if you have health concerns later on. :)
chelsea9898 [OP] 1 points 4y ago
thats not a bad idea for future, but at present just an out and out reader. we actually got a samsung galaxy tab and are increasing the size of everything we can to make it as easy as possible for her.
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