It’s been a very long time since I’ve been able to read a printed newspaper unaided. But the past decade has been kind to us newspaper readers with a sight impairment; access has become easier and easier with the various tools out there. NFB-NEWSLINE® has always evolved with the times and kept up with emerging technology – they’ve done so once again with a new iOS App called NFB-NEWSLINE® Mobile. Don’t despair – if you don’t have an iDevice, there are many other options to get the news of the day, but we’ll talk about the latest first.
NFB-NEWSLINE® Mobile is a free app allows you to quickly navigate around and listen to your favorite newspapers and periodicals directly on your iDevice, as well as check out TV listings. The text is presented on the screen and you can use Apple’s built-in VoiceOver to listen to the content. If you’re worried about exceeding your data plan, all you need to do is add your favorite periodicals to the subscriptions list and open the app while you have a Wi-Fi connection. Your selected content will be downloaded to your device and you’re good to go wherever you may roam. Plus, old content gets automatically deleted. Go to NFB-NEWSLINE® or call 866-504-7300 to see if this free service for the print disabled is available in your state and how you can apply.
For Bookshare members, you can also access NFB-NEWSLINE® content using the Read2Go App ($19.99). Read2Go offers a more detailed list of articles to navigate between within each section as well as includes the more human-sounding Acapela voices of Heather or Ryan. But either way, the ability to listen to a newspaper while commuting or relaxing in your recliner takes the frustration out of trying to read that small print.
As I said earlier, there are other options – reading the newspaper on the web using ZoomText, on a Victor Reader, or even over the telephone is all made easy thanks to NFB-NEWSLINE®. From cost to convenience, there is absolutely no reason why anyone that’s sight impaired should have “reading the newspaper” on their list of limitations anymore. Listening to the Sunday paper in the park or on your front deck is just one of those relaxing experiences that you need not give up.
