[lesterbuck]

My father is age 92, and in 2001 he lost his central vision to macular degeneration. He wrote long documents on his PC before, but afterward he never had much dedication to figuring out how to use a computer with assistive software for the blind (or more lately, smart phones in assistive mode). Thus we entered a years long search for usable CD and MP3 players. Most devices have tiny uniform buttons and depend on LCD indicators. The best we could find for a long time was a Sony S2 sport CD player that had a hand strap that kept the thumb positioned to work buttons without needing to look at the device.

But years ago he got the free (from the US government) digital talking book player[1][2]. This device is an excellent engineering and user interface solution for delivering audio material to blind users. The buttons are all large and report their functions by audio. There are all sorts of built in modes, including an extensive set of self-tests and diagnostics. Around the US, there is a service infrastructure so if there is any problem with the devices, the user just drops them off at a local library and takes a replacement.

These devices can play prerecorded DRMed audio books or MP3s delivered on USB cartridges or thumb drives. The Library of Congress maintains a large collection of downloadable books called BARD[3].

[1]http://www.loc.gov/nls/digitalbooktraining/LOC_01/LOC_01.htm...

[2]http://www.loc.gov/nls/transition/Digital%20Talking%20Book%2...

[3]http://www.nh.gov/nhsl/talking_books/bard/

[smeggy]

My grandmother was diagnosed with macular degeneration in the mid 90's. As time went on it became impossible for her to read books, which had previously been one of her favorite hobbies. Fortunately the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) was there to fill that gap. So for the past 15 years or so she's had a selection of books mailed to her on a regular basis. It's a fantastic program.

I was excited to see the new digital book player when it came out. Now that she has essentially lost her vision completely and also suffers from hearing loss she's found the new player to be easier to use and have better audio clarity. The fact that you can also download the books through the BARD service was great too since I could sit with her and read her descriptions of the books rather than just depending on the random selection that the NLS sends you.