Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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How can I help my (basically) blind granddad listen to podcasts? (self.Blind)
submitted by fresh-spinach
I listen to a lot of podcasts, many of them ones my granddad would be interested in (nature, animals, survival stories, etc.). He can read with a 10x magnifying glass but it's frustrating for him (obviously); he's also been self-isolating more and more and going downhill both mentally and physically.
I have been trying to come up with a way that he can listen to these podcasts but am stumped. He doesn't have internet and lives on the other side of the continent (USA). I thought about burning CDs and getting him a boombox with easy buttons but then he can't see the CD titles and they don't hold much audio anyway (I'd have to burn hundreds of CDs). I also searched for perhaps an app that would play audio files to a phone landline so that he could listen to them on his phone but I couldn't find anything like that.
My latest thought is to use an old smart phone or tablet, download a bunch of podcasts, and perhaps coach him through learning how to use it. So I figured there's surely a podcast player out there for the visually impaired... right?
Does anyone have any thoughts, ideas, or advice for me? This really means a lot to me and would go a long way in helping him. Really appreciate you hearing me out.
I have been trying to come up with a way that he can listen to these podcasts but am stumped. He doesn't have internet and lives on the other side of the continent (USA). I thought about burning CDs and getting him a boombox with easy buttons but then he can't see the CD titles and they don't hold much audio anyway (I'd have to burn hundreds of CDs). I also searched for perhaps an app that would play audio files to a phone landline so that he could listen to them on his phone but I couldn't find anything like that.
My latest thought is to use an old smart phone or tablet, download a bunch of podcasts, and perhaps coach him through learning how to use it. So I figured there's surely a podcast player out there for the visually impaired... right?
Does anyone have any thoughts, ideas, or advice for me? This really means a lot to me and would go a long way in helping him. Really appreciate you hearing me out.
razzretina 4 points 11m ago
I'm not sure if you can get podcasts through the Talking Book Library but I know their book player is the easiest one to use I've ever seen and it does take USB sticks. Maybe help him get set up with that so he has the player and then send him podcasts on a junk drive?
fresh-spinach [OP] 2 points 10m ago
Thanks. I think Talking Book Library is only for CA (from what I could find) but I did find Georgia Library Service (GLS) for the blind and im in contact with them. Thanks!
razzretina 2 points 10m ago
The Talking Book Library is a national service so you should have one in your state, sometimes it's just called National Library Services or (state name) Talking book Library. It's also called NTBL (National Talking Book Library). It sounds like you did find them for your state though and that's great news! :)
retrolental_morose 2 points 11m ago
Never heard them called Junk drives before.
razzretina 1 points 11m ago
Haha yeah I think it's an old term. I've heard USB drive, junk drive, and memory stick, but I always liked junk drive haha.
B_Bussen 2 points 11m ago
How does he expect to get the podcasts without internet? Or did I misunderstand?
fresh-spinach [OP] 1 points 11m ago
I will download them to a device and mail it to him
B_Bussen 1 points 11m ago
You might check into getting him an nls player from talking books. Those accept plugin cartridges. He can get books sent to him and you could put podcastson a cartridge or a usb stick what would plurg into the side of the machine.
fresh-spinach [OP] 1 points 10m ago
Ah, I didn't realize I might be able to put my own stuff on a USB for this. It appears they are specifically-shaped USB sticks. Can you insert a regular sized one? If not, can I purchase the right shaped ones?
B_Bussen 1 points 10m ago
Yes, you can use a regular usb stick. I've forgotten original subject, ub if an nls player, you can plug one in the side of the machine.
audioses 1 points 11m ago
If you figure a way for him, you might try putting some audiodrama podcasts in tehre too. There are many and they are basicly the high quality radio theatres
DannyMTZ956 1 points 11m ago
A couple of services your grandpa may enjoy. NFB-Newsline, it works on a landline phone. Also, a subscription to the NLS library for the blind, he can select the topics he enjoys the most and will get related material to be played on an accessible player that they provide.
VictorHWPM 1 points 11m ago
Hi /u/fresh-spinach (cool username btw!)
I'm a Product Manager at Humanware, and the products I manage are the Victor Reader products that were mentioned a few times in this thread (the Stream, the Stratus, and the Trek).
I do believe these are great products for listening to podcast alongside other features such as Internet Radio and book reading.
If you have any questions, feel free to respond here or PM me and I'll be happy to help. :)
Have a good night!
I'm a Product Manager at Humanware, and the products I manage are the Victor Reader products that were mentioned a few times in this thread (the Stream, the Stratus, and the Trek).
I do believe these are great products for listening to podcast alongside other features such as Internet Radio and book reading.
If you have any questions, feel free to respond here or PM me and I'll be happy to help. :)
Have a good night!
Wolfocorn20 1 points 11m ago
Not shure if this is of any help so i'm sorry if i post something stuped.
I recently got a Milestone 312 and that device uses a sd card witch would be easy to mail to him and it has marked buttons witch are pritty easy to use once you get the hang of it.
You can put books and podcasts on it or what i mostly use it for put stuff from audio vault on it so that i don't have to waste my phones battery when i want to listen a movie.
Good luck
I recently got a Milestone 312 and that device uses a sd card witch would be easy to mail to him and it has marked buttons witch are pritty easy to use once you get the hang of it.
You can put books and podcasts on it or what i mostly use it for put stuff from audio vault on it so that i don't have to waste my phones battery when i want to listen a movie.
Good luck
spaceship4parakeet 1 points 11m ago
Before I had a smartphone and before there were podcast apps, I used to download a ton of podcasts from the websites themselves onto a USB Mp3 player that had very simple controls.
If you can, find a cheap mp3 player with tactile buttons (buttons that stick out so you can feel them). The simpler the better.
Then go straight to the websites of the podcasts he’ll like and fill it up.
If you can, find a cheap mp3 player with tactile buttons (buttons that stick out so you can feel them). The simpler the better.
Then go straight to the websites of the podcasts he’ll like and fill it up.
Gavin_Runeblade 1 points 11m ago
Bit spendy, but the victor Reader https://store.humanware.com/hus/victor-reader-stream-2.html is an excellent product a d has no visual display, only tactile controls. It takes multiple data storage methods including sd cards.
There is the newer and larger https://store.humanware.com/hus/victor-reader-stratus12-m-daisy-mp3-player.html stratus M which also takes usb drives and cds. Same price though.
The cheapest method is to connect to his local library and through them to the https://www.loc.gov/nls/ national library service for the blind and print disabled. They have free audio books on cassette with free round trip postal delivery. Awesome service. Bard and bookshare are both great options for people who are comfortable with smart phones.
Also free, is the NFB Newsline service. https://nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-newsline this will let him get newspapers and other media by telephone or other mobile device.
There are two other options that are just possibilities. I can't know if he'll qualify or not, but they might be worth looking into. First is the SGAT Statewide Grant for Assistive Technology. Every state and territory has one. The list is here: https://acl.gov/about-acl/assistive-technology-act-funding-allocations track down his local SGAT recipient on and they may be able to provide the device and training or connect him to someone else who can.
The last depends on his hearing. If he has hearing aids, then he might qualify for the Helen Keller National Center's I Can Connect program. This is for people who are deaf blind and it has money from the FCC to provide devices and training so isolated people can still call 911 in an emergency, but it does include things like smartphone usage etc. I don't know if he qualifies, but many more people do quality than those who identify as deafblind. More information here: https://www.icanconnect.org/equipment/ this is a great program and I cannot say enough good things about the HKNC team.
There is the newer and larger https://store.humanware.com/hus/victor-reader-stratus12-m-daisy-mp3-player.html stratus M which also takes usb drives and cds. Same price though.
The cheapest method is to connect to his local library and through them to the https://www.loc.gov/nls/ national library service for the blind and print disabled. They have free audio books on cassette with free round trip postal delivery. Awesome service. Bard and bookshare are both great options for people who are comfortable with smart phones.
Also free, is the NFB Newsline service. https://nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-newsline this will let him get newspapers and other media by telephone or other mobile device.
There are two other options that are just possibilities. I can't know if he'll qualify or not, but they might be worth looking into. First is the SGAT Statewide Grant for Assistive Technology. Every state and territory has one. The list is here: https://acl.gov/about-acl/assistive-technology-act-funding-allocations track down his local SGAT recipient on and they may be able to provide the device and training or connect him to someone else who can.
The last depends on his hearing. If he has hearing aids, then he might qualify for the Helen Keller National Center's I Can Connect program. This is for people who are deaf blind and it has money from the FCC to provide devices and training so isolated people can still call 911 in an emergency, but it does include things like smartphone usage etc. I don't know if he qualifies, but many more people do quality than those who identify as deafblind. More information here: https://www.icanconnect.org/equipment/ this is a great program and I cannot say enough good things about the HKNC team.
retrolental_morose 1 points 11m ago
I'd opt for either a USB-based player, the Victor as already mentioned or something from the ranges from $1
you can fit a lot more data on a USB drive than a CD and mail them free matter regularly.
Or, How might he get on with a smart speaker? I've done 4G SIM card setups with Alexa with folks who don't have home wifi
you can fit a lot more data on a USB drive than a CD and mail them free matter regularly.
Or, How might he get on with a smart speaker? I've done 4G SIM card setups with Alexa with folks who don't have home wifi
fresh-spinach [OP] 1 points 10m ago
Wait... tell me more about how Alexa could work without wifi.
retrolental_morose 1 points 10m ago
a data SIM and a 4g wireless router?
fresh-spinach [OP] 1 points 10m ago
Oh, he's really not capable of doing anything like that and he lives alone. Thanks for the idea though
retrolental_morose 0 points 10m ago
Nothing for him to do if you set things up, other than connect a few cables. Buy an Echo Dot and a router, get a SIM for it and set up the contract or prepay the credit, plug in the Dot at your place and sign it in, connect it to the router and preset its location, time zone, contacts, drop-in preferences, music services etc. Ship it all to him in a box and get them both back into wall outlets and it'll come to life.
Ok_Concert5918 1 points 11m ago
Look up the “victor reader” line from Humanware.
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