Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Which digital store or platform to use to read books using text-to-speech? (self.Blind)
submitted by Kendos-Kenlen
Hello r/Blind !
My first time posting here. I have aphakia, as my eye lens were removed shortly after my birth to cure my cataract, and I have a nystagmus on both eyes. I am visually impaired but can see and do most things except driving, ball sports and things requiring precision.
However, one of the big issues I encounter is reading: I can read, but I am very slow at it. I love to read books and articles, but it takes me much more than to normal people. The solution I found is to use Firefox reading mode's text-to-speed to read articles faster. At max speed, it takes me less that half the time I'd normally require. However, I don't know how to apply this to books. Audio-books are a bit inconvenient as I am not able to read the text as it is spoken, resulting in my regular loss of attention when listening the book.
Is there a digital book store or mobile application that has a good text-to-speech integration, either with the native platform (I use iOS, MacOS and Windows) or independently? Would you have recommendations to give me to leverage text-to-speech beyond reading articles?
Thank you for your answers :)
My first time posting here. I have aphakia, as my eye lens were removed shortly after my birth to cure my cataract, and I have a nystagmus on both eyes. I am visually impaired but can see and do most things except driving, ball sports and things requiring precision.
However, one of the big issues I encounter is reading: I can read, but I am very slow at it. I love to read books and articles, but it takes me much more than to normal people. The solution I found is to use Firefox reading mode's text-to-speed to read articles faster. At max speed, it takes me less that half the time I'd normally require. However, I don't know how to apply this to books. Audio-books are a bit inconvenient as I am not able to read the text as it is spoken, resulting in my regular loss of attention when listening the book.
Is there a digital book store or mobile application that has a good text-to-speech integration, either with the native platform (I use iOS, MacOS and Windows) or independently? Would you have recommendations to give me to leverage text-to-speech beyond reading articles?
Thank you for your answers :)
KevanGP 6 points 2y ago
I've heard good things about BookShare. It's been around for a while. www.bookshare.org
ShoshanaLi 7 points 2y ago
Bookshare is amazing! I use it with VoiceDream Reader on iOS, which has fantastic accessibility for both text reading and text-to-speech.
Kendos-Kenlen [OP] 2 points 2y ago
From what I read on the website, bookshare is for US citizens. I checked, they have books I read (I read in French), so I'd be fine with it, but I doubt I can register there as I am not a US citizen.
BlindASoccerUSA 4 points 2y ago
Voice dream scanner for inaccessible stuff and taking pictures of longer text that you have physically in front of you, such as documents not digital. Voice dream reader is one of the services the book share website refers you to outside of their own books to go platform.
blindworrell 4 points 2y ago
Bookshare is a great service. The Kindle app on windows, android and ios support for most text to speech. On iOS you can either use VoiceOver or utilize the read screen function for low vision users.
guitarandbooks 3 points 2y ago
I use a mix of kindle, bookshare, bard, and iBooks.
cyclops32 3 points 2y ago
I know that the kindle app has some accessibility features on both android and iOS. On my kindle fire, I see the option to read a book with text to speech, but I don't see this on iOS.
guitarandbooks 3 points 2y ago
You can use the built in iOS screen reader, Voiceover, to read books in the Kindle app. Depending on your model of iPhone or iPad, simply press the home button three times, the lock button three times, or, ask Siri to turn on Voiceover.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
You’re correct but you need to enable this short cut first.
cyclops32 1 points 2y ago
If OP has usable vision, speak screen might be a better option.
Also, I think triple tap at home or side button is disabled if you don’t use it during initial set up of an iOS device.
Also, I think triple tap at home or side button is disabled if you don’t use it during initial set up of an iOS device.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
The other comment is mostly right you can indeed use the in built voice over but before you use shortcuts you need to enable it first in settings. Accessibility and voiceover.
Kendos-Kenlen [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thank you. I searched online, and it seems the iOS apps rely on native integration for Text To Speech. I will give it a try.
IDKzeros 2 points 2y ago
I down load books from the government of the United States website B A R D. You register online and any caregiver or doctor can certify your disability and you can get a free talking book player and download free books to a flash drive that holds the books. https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-library-service-for-the-blind-and-print-disabled/about-this-service/?cid=loc-ppc_s=google_c=braille-new_ag=bmm_kw=books-in-braille
That will guide you to a state where you live this is for the United States of America.
I don't know if they have a situation like that in other countries I'm not sure where you are living.
I've been using the service since 1985! Back down they had records actual vinyl records. They progressed to cassette tapes half speed four sides two on each side.
They came out with the talking book player in about 2004 or five something like that.
I've been using it since then it's awesome.
You can buy a 20 gig flash drive with a special casing especially for the talking book player for about 20 bucks online I got it from Amazon.
You can get smaller two, four, six or eight gig flash drives.
Additionally you can peruse the catalog and they will ship a book to you already on a flash drive to play in the player for free and return for free when you're done.
Go to that website they explain it all.
I hope you are in the USA or one of the areas that you can get use of the talking book player machine and download the books or get them sent to.
It sure helps and you can stop and start the book anytime come back to it etc it's great!
That will guide you to a state where you live this is for the United States of America.
I don't know if they have a situation like that in other countries I'm not sure where you are living.
I've been using the service since 1985! Back down they had records actual vinyl records. They progressed to cassette tapes half speed four sides two on each side.
They came out with the talking book player in about 2004 or five something like that.
I've been using it since then it's awesome.
You can buy a 20 gig flash drive with a special casing especially for the talking book player for about 20 bucks online I got it from Amazon.
You can get smaller two, four, six or eight gig flash drives.
Additionally you can peruse the catalog and they will ship a book to you already on a flash drive to play in the player for free and return for free when you're done.
Go to that website they explain it all.
I hope you are in the USA or one of the areas that you can get use of the talking book player machine and download the books or get them sent to.
It sure helps and you can stop and start the book anytime come back to it etc it's great!
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
I would say use kindle or ibooks or google books plus talkback or voice over. You will have to play with it in settings.
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