Accessible Reading in the Digital Age Resources

Getting started with accessibility: smart phones and tablets

Getting started with accessibility on iOS

Apple Accessibility Page
A good starting point for getting an overview about accessibility features of your iOS device.

Applevis web page
A community powered hub with tutorials, app directory sorted by category, reviews, blogs and an active forum where users ask questions about anything related to apple products.

ViPhone Mailing list
A very high traffic email list about using iOS with visual impairments.

Getting started with Android devices

Google Accessibility web page
A starting point to explore all accessibility features offered on android

Blind Android Users
A place to learn more about Android from blind user perspective. Podcast, mailing list and more.

Useful apps for accessibility on smart phones

Be My Eyes

Compatible with both iOS and Android, this app connects people in need of sighted assistance with volunteers around the world willing to help.

Voice Dream Reader
Powerful and flexible app for accessible reading on iOS.

Legere Reader
The equivalent on Android for the Voice Dream Reader iOS app.

Getting started with accessible print

Getting started with accessible formats

CELA Library web page

A good overview about available library services in alternate formats. Contains tutorials and instructional material for patrons’ libraries and designates helping people with print disability.

CELA Accessible Formats and compatible devices
Part of resource listed above is of special interest in choosing your reading platform and device.

Daisy information page
A good information starting point about multiple ways of reading daisy format and ePub on various platforms.

An overview of Braille displays
A useful article explaining the various types of Braille displays.

Resources for accessible books

Specialized libraries for people with print disabilities

CELA Library
Provides books in various formats and access to the Bookshare collection. (See below)

Bookshare
A collection of books in various text formats. Available for free under certain conditions or with subscription upon submitting proof of disability. Multilingual selection of materials for education, work, or pleasure.

National Network for Equitable Library Service
Offers books online in accessible formats.

Mainstream providers of books in accessible formats

Audible

Commercially available human narrated books. Integration with Kindle and compatible with all devices including Alexa Smart-Speaker from Amazon. Some audible books are available for free through specialized libraries such as CELA or through public libraries.

Librivox
Free public domain books read by volunteers. Help about best way to access them is provided.

PAL-Reading Services Inc.
They create digital audio recordings of print material for people who are print?challenged because of blindness, low vision, learning or motor disabilities. Most of the recording is done by volunteers.

Getting started with accessibility: smart speakers

Amazon Alexa
Information on first steps with Amazon smart speaker, Alexa.

Google page for setting up smart speakers
Google’s official support page for their smart speakers and other devices.

Google assistant videos
A Series of videos about using Google Assistant with focus on accessibility. It also provides setup instructions for Google smart speaker.

Webinar about reading books on smart speakers
An interesting presentation illustrating various uses of Google and Amazon Smart Speakers for accessible reading.

Getting started with accessibility: disability-specific resources

Vision Loss Services

Canadian National Institute for the Blind
National organization that provides services for those who are blind or have low vision.

Options for Learning Disabilities

Assistive Learning Technologies & Literacy Software from Kurzweil Education
Link to Kurzweil website offering more information on the software.

kurzweil 3000 Alternatives: 25+ Similar Text to Speech Services | AlternativeTo
Alternatives to Kurzweil.

Physical Disability Accommodations

Understanding Assistive Technology: How Do People with Mobility Disabilities Use Technology? - Level Access
An article with an overview of how assistive technology helps people with mobility disabilities.