Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
17
↓
Best solution for large print books? (self.Blind)
submitted by LordVader07
My daughter is in 1st grade, homeschooled, and has poor vision secondary to different diagnoses. She’s at the point where she’s able to read by herself. However, I’ve noticed that many books past kindergarten begin to have smaller font.
I went to the library to see their selection of large print books. The librarian said that most books aren’t made with larger font until 4th grade reading level.
I’m trying to see if there were a good online bookstore that sells large print kids books? I know amazon has them, but it doesn’t always say if the book is large print or not on the description.
Also, any other suggestions of what I can do? I was thinking about buying a kindle and increasing the font size, but didn’t know if too much electronic reading can be harmful if used long term.
Any suggestions is appreciated. Thanks
I went to the library to see their selection of large print books. The librarian said that most books aren’t made with larger font until 4th grade reading level.
I’m trying to see if there were a good online bookstore that sells large print kids books? I know amazon has them, but it doesn’t always say if the book is large print or not on the description.
Also, any other suggestions of what I can do? I was thinking about buying a kindle and increasing the font size, but didn’t know if too much electronic reading can be harmful if used long term.
Any suggestions is appreciated. Thanks
codeplaysleep 7 points 3y ago
Contact your state's office for the blind, or if they don't have one specifically, vocational rehab and see about services.
Also, I know you said she's homeschooled, but she should still be eligible for services through the public school system and they may be able to help you get squared away with large-print educational materials, or a CCTV, etc.
Has she seen a low vision specialist?
Also, I know you said she's homeschooled, but she should still be eligible for services through the public school system and they may be able to help you get squared away with large-print educational materials, or a CCTV, etc.
Has she seen a low vision specialist?
LordVader07 [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Thank you for the response and recommendations. We’re currently seeing a doctor in Boston, who has been helpful with her medical treatment/understanding of her diagnoses, but have not reached out to a low vision specialist. I’ll have to look some more into it.
CloudyBeep 7 points 3y ago
In general, doctors have very little information about services to assist people with vision impairment; their primary expertise is solely in maintaining vision, not how to live with a vision impairment.
tasareinspace 3 points 3y ago
I saw Boston in one of your responses and got SO EXCITED for a minute because I am a New Englander, but then I saw you live in Nevada, so oh well! I've got a blind middle schooler at home and here are some resources I've used:
Reading on electronics isn't going to hurt her (as far as I've read!) and the Kindle app is actually really good- you can change font size, change the contrast to white-on-black or a sepia sort of background if the white hurts her eyes. It's awesome.
If she's reading for fun or for gaining knowledge (as opposed to reading for the purpose of practicing reading and becoming more adept at reading print), audiobooks are really great. If she's legally blind, she's probably eligible for BARD $1 .
Since you have been up near Boston, I'm sure you've heard of the Perkins library, but if you haven't, here's a link. $1 . They can send you large print books and audiobooks (and an audiobook reader, which is awesome, it's so easy to use). Both BARD and the Perkins library should be free.
APH (American Printing House for the Blind) has a shop $1 they sell CCTV magnifiers, handheld magnifiers, low vision materials. Some of this stuff you might be able to get through a TVI if your daughter has one. (can your public school system pay for a TVI or O+M instructor if your kid is homeschooled? Are they required to do that if she needs one? This feels like something to look into if you're having trouble finding or accessing accessible materials.)
I haven't looked through it recently, but $1 has some great articles and resources. Despite the name, it's not just about babies (the woman who founded the site started it when her kiddo was a baby, but he's like 13/14 now). Anyway! Good luck! If I can be of any more help, please feel free to PM me!
Reading on electronics isn't going to hurt her (as far as I've read!) and the Kindle app is actually really good- you can change font size, change the contrast to white-on-black or a sepia sort of background if the white hurts her eyes. It's awesome.
If she's reading for fun or for gaining knowledge (as opposed to reading for the purpose of practicing reading and becoming more adept at reading print), audiobooks are really great. If she's legally blind, she's probably eligible for BARD $1 .
Since you have been up near Boston, I'm sure you've heard of the Perkins library, but if you haven't, here's a link. $1 . They can send you large print books and audiobooks (and an audiobook reader, which is awesome, it's so easy to use). Both BARD and the Perkins library should be free.
APH (American Printing House for the Blind) has a shop $1 they sell CCTV magnifiers, handheld magnifiers, low vision materials. Some of this stuff you might be able to get through a TVI if your daughter has one. (can your public school system pay for a TVI or O+M instructor if your kid is homeschooled? Are they required to do that if she needs one? This feels like something to look into if you're having trouble finding or accessing accessible materials.)
I haven't looked through it recently, but $1 has some great articles and resources. Despite the name, it's not just about babies (the woman who founded the site started it when her kiddo was a baby, but he's like 13/14 now). Anyway! Good luck! If I can be of any more help, please feel free to PM me!
just--questions 3 points 3y ago
I can only read on a kindle because I need large print and can’t use a backlit computer screen, so kindles have been a lifesaver for me. And my library has so many ebooks I can borrow, it’s great! I actually have an old kindle I don’t need anymore (bought the updated one). My old kindle has a scratch on the screen and the casing is a bit beat up, but other than that it works fine. If you want it for your daughter, you can have it.
just--questions 2 points 3y ago
Ooh idk if I have the charger anymore but it’s a standard type used for lots of phones
TheBlindBookLover 2 points 3y ago
Hi. She can qualify for a membership to BookShare, a website that provides books in accessible formats to people with disabilities that affect reading. I like to read my books from Bookshare using an app called Voice Dream Reader on either an iPhone or iPad.
Catbitchoverlord 2 points 3y ago
A kindle! You can make the text as large as you want!
carolineecouture 2 points 3y ago
Where are you located? I would definitely look to see if there are services for the blind in your area. They can help with training and resources for you and your child. As for reading could a stand magnifier work? A hand-held one might be too difficult to manage. A Kindle might be a good choice depending on how large you have to make the font. Not sure what you mean about too much electronic reading? A Kindle is an e-ink device which doesn't have the same glare as a computer screen does. I have been visually impaired my whole life and I was able to take advantage of some of the services in my state. Good luck to you and your child!
LordVader07 [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Thank you for the response. We’re currently in Nevada so need to find more information of what resources are and are not available. My wife and I are new in trying to find what all we can do for her since this is new to us also and she’s currently 6 years old.
I haven’t thought about using a magnifier before, so thank you for the suggestion. Also, I didn’t know that kindle doesn’t strain your eyes like a regular computer so that’s nice to know. I’m going to look more into that option also.
Just curious, how were you able to find out what resources your state offered?
Thank you
I haven’t thought about using a magnifier before, so thank you for the suggestion. Also, I didn’t know that kindle doesn’t strain your eyes like a regular computer so that’s nice to know. I’m going to look more into that option also.
Just curious, how were you able to find out what resources your state offered?
Thank you
tasareinspace 2 points 3y ago
$1
I'd give these guys a call. i know in my state, if someone is declared legally blind, the eye doctor will register them with the state's commission for the blind, and they reach out and come out and meet with us and offer services, but that's probably not the case everywhere. Most of my daughter's services have been covered by the school, but the state commission for the blind has paid for her to go to programs for the blind-- even two weeks of summer camp for blind kids, which was AMAZING for her.
I'd give these guys a call. i know in my state, if someone is declared legally blind, the eye doctor will register them with the state's commission for the blind, and they reach out and come out and meet with us and offer services, but that's probably not the case everywhere. Most of my daughter's services have been covered by the school, but the state commission for the blind has paid for her to go to programs for the blind-- even two weeks of summer camp for blind kids, which was AMAZING for her.
carolineecouture 2 points 3y ago
I went to public school so that is how my parents found services initially. As I got older I was able to access services where I work via ADA accommodations. I was born with my impairment so it was always how it was. You can also find support for yourself. I went to university and grad school and I have a good job. In fact I got my job because of training I got from a service group that assisted blind\\visually impaired people. I have a great, rewarding life and your daughter can as well. You are her first advocate until she can advocate for herself. Good luck!
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.