Top 10 Apps for Visually Impaired Readers
Good reading apps help blind or visually impaired book lovers to enjoy works of their favorite authors. These technology and innovative reading apps help blind and visually impaired people to access written content. Among the things these apps do is to convert written text into spoken words, allowing users to listen to books, articles, and documents. Identifying a good reading app for the blind and visually impaired is very essential so as to get the best benefit from such app. Here are 10 best reading apps for blind and visually impaired people.
Speechify (iOS, Android)
Speechify is a mobile, Chrome extension and desktop app that offers high-quality text-to-speech technology. It can be seamlessly integrated with braille displays. This is an app that reads text aloud using a computer-generated text to speech voice. The app has impressive compatibility with popular screen readers like VoiceOver and TalkBack, making navigation a breeze. Speechify has a vast library which includes books, articles, and documents in multiple languages, offering quality and diverse reading experience. The app also makes use of optical character recognition technology to convert physical books or printed text into audio which users can play in their own voice or in that of a celebrity. Speechify has customizable settings providing readers with varying degrees of vision impairment opportunity to enjoy reading on their terms.
Audible (iOS, Android)
Audible is an impressive apps that creates and provides premium audio storytelling, offering a vast collection of audiobooks to millions of readers. It’s a fantastic resource for blind individuals who prefer to listen to books narrated by professionals. Users enjoy audible via the Audible app, which is designed with accessibility in mind and compatible with screen readers. This is a reliable reading app.
Bookshare (iOS, Android)
Bookshare is an online library founded in 2001 by Jim Fruchterman with accessible ebooks for people with print disabilities, such as visual impairment, severe dyslexia, and cerebral palsy. This nonprofit organization offers a massive collection of accessible books in audio, braille, and digital formats It is an initiative of Benetech, a social enterprise organization based in Palo Alto, California.
Bookshare is a dedicated app that provides easy access to an extensive library, making it a valuable resource for visually impaired readers. This is the world’s largest library of ebooks for people with reading barriers like dyslexia, blindness, low vision, and physical disabilities. Here they can listen to books in high quality audio and customize their reading experience in ways that work for them. This platform offers bestsellers, new releases, textbooks and educational books, children’s books, young adult, mysteries, biographies, and more.
Kindle (iOS, Android)
Amazon’s Kindle app provides vast selection of e-books, many of which are accessible to visually impaired readers. This platform has features that make it possible for users to adjust font size, background color, and use screen readers to navigate through the app’s features. This is an easy-to-use app for blind and visually impaired people.
Voice Dream Reader (iOS, Android)
Voice Dream Reader is a versatile app that lets you listen to PDFs, textbooks, Web pages, emails, and books using advanced AI Text To Speech. The app supports text-to-speech, braille, and large print. Features allow users to customize this app and fine-tune settings to their preferences.
Voice Dream Reader also integrates with Bookshare and other libraries. The app works seamlessly without an internet connection. This means fast load times and your data stays private. This is a very reliable app that is worth the attention.
BARD Mobile (iOS, Android)
The BARD Mobile, (where BRAID stands for Braille and Audio Reading Download), is a mobile app that provides access to diverse collection of braille and audio books for visually impaired readers in the United States. This app is a valuable resource for those who rely on braille. The features make it easy for users to have a good experience while enjoy a book.
NFB-NEWSLINE (iOS, Android)
NFB-Newsline is an app that offers users access to newspapers and magazines, making current events and news accessible to visually impaired individuals. The app provides a great way to stay informed about the world. User experience is always positive.
iBooks (iOS)
Apple’s iBooks app, now known as Apple Books, is another popular app for the visually impaired. This app is compatible with VoiceOver and offers a selection of accessible e-books. It has features which allow users to customize font sizes and styles for a comfortable reading experience.
OverDrive (iOS, Android)
OverDrive is a worldwide digital distributor of ebooks, audiobooks, online magazines and streaming video titles. The app offers users opportunity to borrow e-books and audiobooks from their local libraries, making it a cost-effective option for accessible reading. It is compatible with screen readers and provides adjustable text sizes. The app is easily accessible and user friendly.
LibriVox (iOS, Android)
LibriVox a group of volunteers across the world who read and record public domain texts, creating free public domain audiobooks for download from their website and other digital library hosting sites on the internet. The app provides a vast collection of free audiobooks recorded by volunteers. While the app interface may not be as refined as some others, what makes LibriVox app a valuable resource is the wealth of free content and accessibility options available to users.
