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Blind and Visually Impaired Community

Full History - 2020 - 05 - 20 - ID#gnn9mo
8
Best option for books for the visually impaired (self.Blind)
submitted by Kubrickian75
Hey all, my nana is in her 90s now and can’t see to read her books anymore, we’ve obviously reached the conclusion of audiobooks but what is the optimal choice when it comes to both price and usability? I was thinking we just get a tablet with the kindle app and download audiobooks, does anyone have any other recommendations?
CloudyBeep 3 points 3y ago
Most countries have free libraries of audio books for the blind. They also supply you with technology to read the books so she doesn't need to use a touch screen if she doesn't want to. What country are you in so we can give you more information?
Kubrickian75 [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Fantastic! I’m in the U.S.
CloudyBeep 3 points 3y ago
Check out loc.gov/nls.
Kubrickian75 [OP] 3 points 3y ago
Will do, much thanks
sarahluvsjoy 2 points 3y ago
is this BARD? I heard that’s the best
CloudyBeep 2 points 3y ago
BARD is their online platform for downloading books. They can also send out books on cartridges which you play on a specialized player, which many older people prefer.
TheMelangeMustFlow 2 points 3y ago
As an Avid Reader before my visual impairment and becoming housebound I is many many resources for audio books and audio plays I really recommend audio plays by the way. Local libraries usually have online resources you can also pay to have a print subscription to a library that is not local most of the major libraries four major cities offer this is an option I subscribe to my local library and a major Metropolitan Library and you can get audiobooks through that that platform recommend overdrive / Libby when you use voiceover or talk back in Libby it specifically tells you to use OverDrive Pikachu apps to access Library digital features another app is hoopla that's also through Library access. I also use the library for the blind for my state I use The Bard app as well as the talking book player they have different options and sometimes talking book players just much easier sometimes the app is easier for me so depends on my situation. Additionally I pay for services for audiobooks I use Audible as well as cereal box and that's s e r i a l because I know that my voice to text is going to mess it up for audio books and big finish 4 audio plays gets a lot of my money since having a visual disability. I've known before anyone drops any money an audible to make sure that you check all of your other resources a lot of us around unlimited income so you want to check all of your resources before you pay for something that you could get from the library.
Bart is a great resource however I do recommend adding the resource of a large Metropolitan Library just because Library have different resources then be like State library for the blind.
Pending on how good your local library is to they will be very helpful resource my library is great so close for covid-19 but very helpful and accommodating they just can't afford the large overdrive subscription which is why I have another Library subscription.
Kubrickian75 [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Thank you so much for the advice and for sharing your experience! Nothing but love to you :)
Illustrious_Guard_10 1 points 9m ago
$1om is free as long as you have a library card. There's also BARD provided by the Library of Congress. I'm actually working on some independent research to help improve BARD's website if anyone wants to provide feedback.

I'm looking for feedback on some potential design updates to the BARD audiobook service website. The goal is to explore ways to improve the user experience with BARD'. Please note that this prototype does not work with screen readers and is for those with low vision or who are legally blind and can see the content on a desktop screen. A study for those who use screen readers may be posted at a later date.


Thanks for being a part of the improvement process.
https://t.maze.co/118839000
oncenightvaler 1 points 3y ago
Bookshare is my current favourite. They provide books in basically any format including word or pdf or for Victor stream or for Braille display specifically.
kellyjeannn 1 points 3y ago
I'm in almost this exact same situation! My grandma has Fuchs' Dystrophy and was an avid reader until about a decade ago when she stopped being able to see. We used a library program for a while but now that I'm living with her (since moving home from school during COVID), I have downloaded an app called "Libby," on my phone. It's free through your library, and I play audiobooks for her on a portable speaker. This one: $1

My parents also have an Alexa speaker so I'm going to experiment with using Libby via Alexa in the hopes that she will be able to do it all herself. She doesn't have an iPhone so at the moment I am doing most of the setting it up for her.... I just got on this community today for some ideas on how to make her life more enjoyable/how she could be more independent. I like the idea of Libby because she can listen to samples first and doesn't need to visit a physical library. But will be looking into $1 at another commenter's suggestion!
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