ACCESSING AUDIO BOOKS

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com

The use of auditory books can be a wonderful and invaluable tool for students who are blind or visually impaired. Keep in mind that listening to audio books should not replace the student's need for literacy and they should also be instructed in reading print and/or braille. This tool is helpful, however, in reading longer passages. Pairing books (in print or braille) with Audio Supported Learning is a great strategy to build listening skills. Be sure to select tools that are appropriate for the student's unique needs, but also intentionally expose each student to a variety of different formats. Being able to learn to use new technology and software is an important career and life skill!

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Use of Auditory Playback Device

There are a variety of types of auditory playback devices available for listening to books on CD or digital books. Some of these devices can also be used to record notes.  Students who can benefit from this type of a device should receive instruction in its use prior to being expected to use it independently. Some students will learn to use it on their own quickly while others will need a systematic approach to instruction that could take awhile.

You will need to instruct the student in how to:

• Insert and eject CD/caddy/flashdrive/SD card
• Identify, locate, and describe function and operation of basic function keys and operation of control keys (play, stop, rewind, fast forward, eject, tone, volume, speed, help, menu)
• Identify and connect the power charger
• Identify and perform the charging procedure
• Take responsibility of the device
• Older students may be instructed in stating the name and manufacturer of the device, locating information in the manual and seeking technical support when needed.

Accessing Audio Books on iOS

There are a variety of apps now available that provide instant access to audiobooks. The apps are accessible to students who are blind or visually impaired. The apps integrate with VoiceOver, the screen reader built into Apple's iOS products, and the Android reader. On both Android and Apple devices, the app syncs directly with the audio library. Many of the apps allow the student to download the books directly, bypassing iTunes. ​

Resources for Accessing Digital Books...

• Bookshare provides access to books that are legally scanned for people who are visually impaired or print disabled. The books can be read with adaptive technology or in embossed braille.
  
• ​Learning Ally is a national nonprofit provider of books in accessible format for people who cannot read standard print due to visual, perceptual or physical disabilities. Provides thousands of titles available on digitally recorded audio books, DC, and computer disk, including textbooks.
  
• National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Library of Congress provides a free correspondence course to certify Braille transcribers. They offer a wide variety of braille books on loan. NLS has also compiled a directory in large print and braille formats which provides names of volunteer groups and individuals who transcribe and record books and other reading materials for people who are blind. They provide an alphabetical listing by state.