Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Looking for way to listen to books for blind uncle (self.Blind)
submitted by Freaky_Freak_
Hey everyone, i figured this was the best place to ask. I'm looking for a device or a way so that my blind uncle could listen to audiobooks. The problem is that he does not know how to use phones or read in braille as he turned blind later on in his life. Best case scenario would be if i could like download a bunch of books to a usb stick or memory card and insert it into a device but could not find a solution that would work out. I'd really appreciate any ideas. I see him only for a dew days a year as he lives on the other side of the globe. The audiobooks would have to be in Russian.
bondolo 4 points 1y ago
If he is in the US he can use the $1. They are increasingly providing material online, but also provide talking book players that use special USB cartridges.
WideOpenEmpty 2 points 1y ago
How do you find your way around a site like that when you can't see? I'm trying to prepare for my coming blindness.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
Through a screne reader. Screen reading technology has really enabled and empowered blind people especially those of us who are totally blind. It reads us exactly what’s on screen. It’s not the end it’ll be alright. If. You love reading reading, then learn braille. Otherwise there are other audio type options out there.
Freaky_Freak_ [OP] 2 points 1y ago
I will have a look at the talking book players though, thank you
Freaky_Freak_ [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I should have probably included that he does not live in the US, I updated my post to include that. My apologies
TechnicalPragmatist 3 points 1y ago
Where does he live?
What about an audible subscription plus an alexa device. You can buy credits otherwise anyway. And some other books are free with subscription like the bible, I discovered that one yesterday.
And why can’t he learn to use a phone. Is he not willing if he has a teacher?
What about an audible subscription plus an alexa device. You can buy credits otherwise anyway. And some other books are free with subscription like the bible, I discovered that one yesterday.
And why can’t he learn to use a phone. Is he not willing if he has a teacher?
Freaky_Freak_ [OP] 1 points 1y ago
He lives in Russia, I'm in Western Europe. He's in his sixties and has never owned a smartphone even before he lost his vision. A phone would've been the easiest solution if i was closeby to help anytime, unfortunately I am not.
I will be looking into the audible subscription, I wouldn't mind paying monthly if it is a perfect solution
I will be looking into the audible subscription, I wouldn't mind paying monthly if it is a perfect solution
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
Hmmmm………….. maybe an alexa but someone would have to set it up for him and would need to be set up via one.
Can he get training somehow to use one? There? Not sure if there’s assistive tech trainers there and how many. Is he resistant to that idea and would he get training for it?
Can he get training somehow to use one? There? Not sure if there’s assistive tech trainers there and how many. Is he resistant to that idea and would he get training for it?
Freaky_Freak_ [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I am fairly certain training is not an option, though i should be seeing him for two weeks in a few months so I'd be able to help set up, I could also send someone to help out occasionally. I will be looking into the option of Alexa
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
That may be good for him or google home but yeah, the echos are more popular and directly linked with audible..
carolineecouture 1 points 1y ago
I'd second this. Audible/Amazon are in many countries. You would need to have access to wifi. The smart speaker can do more than play audiobooks, it can also read the news, play music, and set timers/reminders.
After getting it set up it shouldn't be hard to teach him the various commands he'd need.
Good luck!
After getting it set up it shouldn't be hard to teach him the various commands he'd need.
Good luck!
TechnicalPragmatist 2 points 1y ago
Amazon echos are really nice and you can play games, I use mine if I need to wake up I have a nice one so crank it up to 10 hahaha!
But yes all those things too! :D
And no it’s very easy yes you’re right.
But yes all those things too! :D
And no it’s very easy yes you’re right.
WideOpenEmpty 2 points 1y ago
Audio books really add up. I like old classics but how many have audio book versions?
carolineecouture 1 points 1y ago
I think you can also play audiobooks from the library but I don't know for sure. Audible also has books that are included with membership.
There are lots of classics. There is a Sherlock Holmes collection currently included with a membership that is 62 hours long.
There are lots of classics. There is a Sherlock Holmes collection currently included with a membership that is 62 hours long.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
Quite a few actually. They can add up though even monthly audible payments can, I’l admit.
VictorHWPM 2 points 1y ago
Hi!
I work at Humanware as a Product Manager for our audio assistants, so I'd be happy to help!
We have various products. For audiobooks, the most likely to be interesting would be the Victor Reader Stream or Stratus.
The Stream is a small hand held device. You can either download content directly on it through wifi, or dump some books on an SD card and read them. It's compatible with a ton of DAISY services, like NLS BARD in the USA, and CELA in Canada. There is service in a lot of other countries too, it would help to know where.
The Stream also supports Audible books.
The Stratus is a bigger player, as it's made to read CDs. You can also load books onto it with an SD card, but typically, those are used to read CDs.
Feel free to PM me if you want more info! I'm not a sales person, I just want you to make an informed decision and genuinely believe that our products are great for reading books :)
If you do PM me, please include your country so I can help a bit more :)
And finally, thank you for helping your uncle go through what must be a tough time!
I work at Humanware as a Product Manager for our audio assistants, so I'd be happy to help!
We have various products. For audiobooks, the most likely to be interesting would be the Victor Reader Stream or Stratus.
The Stream is a small hand held device. You can either download content directly on it through wifi, or dump some books on an SD card and read them. It's compatible with a ton of DAISY services, like NLS BARD in the USA, and CELA in Canada. There is service in a lot of other countries too, it would help to know where.
The Stream also supports Audible books.
The Stratus is a bigger player, as it's made to read CDs. You can also load books onto it with an SD card, but typically, those are used to read CDs.
Feel free to PM me if you want more info! I'm not a sales person, I just want you to make an informed decision and genuinely believe that our products are great for reading books :)
If you do PM me, please include your country so I can help a bit more :)
And finally, thank you for helping your uncle go through what must be a tough time!
Ghidraak 1 points 1y ago
Gutenberg has lots of free audiobooks
thatawkwardcosplayer 1 points 1y ago
I’d suggest a walkman and old fashioned CD audio books. They have raised buttons and he could memorize the pattern for which ones does what.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
Waaaaait! Those ancient things still exists?
thatawkwardcosplayer 1 points 1y ago
Yup! Try eBay or Etsy for a refurbished one. I used one up until my junior year of high school! It was really convenient actually bc I lived so rural, hard to get to libraries or even steady internet.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
Haha! Yeah, I was kinda being sarcastic but interesting.
CosmicBunny97 1 points 1y ago
Maybe look into something like a Victor Reader Stream?
niamhweking 1 points 1y ago
Some libraries, and definitely any blind organisations should lend USB sticks with audio books or even cd books. I know our local library lends small devices with the recording on it and you just plug headphones in
Mamamagpie 1 points 1y ago
Freaky_Freak_ [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I should have probably included the fact that he does not live in the US, I updated my post to include that. I'll still have a look at the devices though, thank you
niamhweking 1 points 1y ago
Where is he living
UK has RNIB
Ireland has NCBI
UK has RNIB
Ireland has NCBI
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