Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Grandpa wants to listen to audiobooks. (self.Blind)
submitted by _shadyninja
My grandpa lives in India with my grandma. He lost sight a few months ago. He cannot read/write or is tech savvy.
He expressed interest in listening to audiobooks. I want to make this possible for him.
But, there are quite a few blockers for this. He cannot operate smartphone, applications or computer. So, I am not sure how audible or even YouTube audiobooks would work.
I have thought about me remote controlling the computer and playing whatever he wants to listen to when he calls and tells me to play. But this is not the best experience.
Is there anything else I can do to make listening to audiobooks possible for him?
He expressed interest in listening to audiobooks. I want to make this possible for him.
But, there are quite a few blockers for this. He cannot operate smartphone, applications or computer. So, I am not sure how audible or even YouTube audiobooks would work.
I have thought about me remote controlling the computer and playing whatever he wants to listen to when he calls and tells me to play. But this is not the best experience.
Is there anything else I can do to make listening to audiobooks possible for him?
Itsthejoker 9 points 1y ago
What about old school cassette tapes? Writable tapes are super cheap, so you could get an MP3 or digital audiobook, record it to tape, and ship it off. Tape players are some of the easiest technology to work because of how tactile the buttons are.
retrolental_morose 7 points 1y ago
is Alexa available in India? That's completely controled by voice
SecTrono 5 points 1y ago
you might be able to get an older mp3 player off ebay or something. maybe even an old disc player. something that has a few physical buttons for him to press.
thatawkwardcosplayer 3 points 1y ago
A Walkman, old school with batteries. Most of them have fully raised buttons / the button symbol is raised. Then he can just pop in the disk.
kramwam 3 points 1y ago
I would go with an mp3 CD player (portable or HiFi tower style), all you need is pop in the CD and press play/pause. You can buy audiobooks on CD or create ones with a CD writer.
Also you can contact your country's institution for the blind and visually impaired, they have special players with tactile buttons. These usually use mini-CDs. They usually also have a huge collection of audiobooks for free.
Also you can contact your country's institution for the blind and visually impaired, they have special players with tactile buttons. These usually use mini-CDs. They usually also have a huge collection of audiobooks for free.
bdevel 2 points 1y ago
Try to find a basic MP3 player with physical buttons. The iPhone and probably android have decent accessibility features if he's willing to learn.
Amazing_Ad7386 1 points 1y ago
Maybe Daisy players are what you're looking for. They are computerless systems specifically designed for the blind I believe. And it's an international format. I am not an expert on them, though.
r_1235 1 points 1y ago
For that device as well, someone needs to put those books in that memory card or pendrive. As far as I know, that device doesn't download books on it's own.
DannyMTZ956 1 points 1y ago
I’d advice that once he is able to download or request audio books independently you give him privacy. I’ve met several people that were frustrated because they could not look for or listen to what they wanted, because their relative would find out what they wanted to read.
r_1235 1 points 1y ago
He must learn to use a smartphone with screen readers. That will open up lot of dorrs and options. It's very much possible for old people to learn that.
The national Association of Blind in Mumbai, NFB in lot of states, records and hosts an online library of lot of audio books. Bookshare.org is also an option. There are blindness related organizations all over India, probably get in touch with the nearest one, they will help, they will also teach him how to use smartphones and stuff.
Alexa also works, but for basic settup, it's good if your grandpa can oporate a smartphone. I suggest an IPhone, and learning resources from $1
The national Association of Blind in Mumbai, NFB in lot of states, records and hosts an online library of lot of audio books. Bookshare.org is also an option. There are blindness related organizations all over India, probably get in touch with the nearest one, they will help, they will also teach him how to use smartphones and stuff.
Alexa also works, but for basic settup, it's good if your grandpa can oporate a smartphone. I suggest an IPhone, and learning resources from $1
notoriousbsr 1 points 1y ago
Are you in the US? NLS BARD provides free players, downloads, and audio books through the library of congress.
All free. Easy.
All free. Easy.
SiriuslyGranger 1 points 1y ago
Sure they may be but it sure wouldn’t help his grandfather in india.
notoriousbsr 1 points 1y ago
I missed India. Mobile tags don't always show for me. I now see it on PC. Oh well, maybe it will help someone else.
SiriuslyGranger 0 points 1y ago
Ah, I see. That’s interesting.
What are you using on mobile? Hopefully not the native client? And what mobile device? If iphones there’s much better out there.
What are you using on mobile? Hopefully not the native client? And what mobile device? If iphones there’s much better out there.
WEugeneSmith 1 points 1y ago
What are his reasons for not being able to operate a smartphone?
If he feels his blindness is a factor, it should not be. Both iPhones and Androids have acceccessibility features built in that makes them usable for the blind and visually impaired.
If it is a matter of cost, could the family come together to buy him aphone?
If not a phone, you can get an Alexa device and an Audible subscription for him.
You are so kind to be looking into this for him. I am legally blind and audibooks have saved my sanity.
If he feels his blindness is a factor, it should not be. Both iPhones and Androids have accessibility features built in that makes them usable for the blind and visually impaired.
If he feels his blindness is a factor, it should not be. Both iPhones and Androids have acceccessibility features built in that makes them usable for the blind and visually impaired.
If it is a matter of cost, could the family come together to buy him aphone?
If not a phone, you can get an Alexa device and an Audible subscription for him.
You are so kind to be looking into this for him. I am legally blind and audibooks have saved my sanity.
If he feels his blindness is a factor, it should not be. Both iPhones and Androids have accessibility features built in that makes them usable for the blind and visually impaired.
[deleted] 0 points 1y ago
[deleted]
Itsthejoker 4 points 1y ago
I don't think the library of congress will ship to India, though.
DHamlinMusic 1 points 1y ago
I mean now I’m wondering about this myself, probably shouldn't bother them with this though.
DHamlinMusic 3 points 1y ago
Yeah you missed the part where OP said this is in India.
bradley22 2 points 1y ago
You really did.
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