March is National Reading Month, and it promotes the importance of reading every day, both for fun and to learn something new. The children’s book author Dr. Seuss was also born this month. We celebrate the importance of reading by providing several ways visually impaired people can enjoy books.
Existing technology makes reading more effortless than ever for people with limited vision. Because books are released digitally and in multiple formats, it is important to consider your preferences before selecting vision-impaired apps for reading. You might prefer a natural, human voice or one like Siri. Using the Apple or Android platform will provide varied results. Research the options below to find the vision-impaired apps that work for you.
Kindle eBooks
Amazon’s Kindle app allows users to read purchased Kindle eBooks. The app will enable users to create bookmarks, browse through books, and leave reviews. It can also sync with their Goodreads profile and other social media platforms, sharing their ratings and reviews of books with their followers. Users can also receive book recommendations based on their purchase history. This app is available on Apple and Android devices.
Apple Books
The Apple Books app allows you to access purchased Apple books easily. You can browse the bookstore, keep track of your preferences, and receive customized recommendations based on your interests. This app comes standard on Apple devices and can be used with accessible software like VoiceOver and Zoom.
Voice Dream Reader
Voice Dream Reader is a diverse app that allows you to read books in electronic braille or listen to them by downloading human-sounding voices. Choose from over 200 voices and 30 languages. This app can access texts from Google Drive, Dropbox, Project Gutenberg, and more. It is available for a one-time purchase.
Apple Vis
If you want to check out even more iOS reading apps, head to Apple Vis, whose user community reviews over three dozen apps. This is just one category; there are several more to browse.
QRead
The QRead app is only available for Windows users. Like Voice Dream Reader, QRead allows the user to read books published in multiple formats. It can benefit students because they can open several books simultaneously, copy and paste text, set bookmarks, and much more. This software, though not a mobile app, was created by Accessible Apps, a company where the blind create software and products for other blind users.
Android Access
Android Access is a site geared specifically for Android users searching for accessible apps from that platform.
Audible can be downloaded to your Apple or Android device. It requires a monthly subscription, but you can try it for free. This app makes it easy to listen to books anywhere and enhances the audio experience.
Two popular digital libraries –Bookshare and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled – also known as NLS—provide books in electronic braille and audio formats for visually impaired and print-disabled users. Bookshare is a subscription service, and NLS requires proof of disability before granting access to its books.
Learn how to use these vision-impaired apps through Outlook’s Adaptive Technology Training program.
