Auditory Access Device

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
Updated June 15, 2025
Auditory devices are essential tools that support access to printed and digital information for students who are blind or have visual impairments. However, listening is not a replacement for literacy. Auditory access should supplement, not substitute, direct instruction in braille or print, allowing each student to develop their full literacy potential based on cognitive ability.

Building Auditory Awareness 

For younger students or those with cognitive delays, auditory awareness is a foundational skill. Encourage students to:
  • Turn toward or move toward sound sources.
  • Point to or identify the direction of specific sounds.
  • Use daily routines like walking toward running water or responding to a peer’s voice to practice sound localization.
  • Learn directional concepts: in front, behind, beside, left, right, above, below.

​Access to Audio Books & Educational Materials

Students can access a wide variety of academic and leisure reading through the following services:
  • Bookshare: Free for U.S. students with qualifying print disabilities. Offers accessible eBooks in formats like audio, large print, and braille-ready files.
  • Learning Ally: Offers human-narrated books. Free for eligible public school students in the U.S.; available by subscription for others. 
  • NLS BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download): Free to eligible individuals via the National Library Service. Accessible on smartphones/tablets through the BARD Mobile app or dedicated devices like the Victor Reader Stream.

Modern Playback & Reading Devices

​These tools allow students to independently access auditory content:
  • Victor Reader Stream (3rd Gen): Plays DAISY books, Bookshare files, MP3s, and NLS content.
  • Victor Reader Trek: Combines Victor Stream features with GPS-based orientation.
  • Smartphones and Tablets: iOS and Android devices support a range of accessible reading apps:
    • Voice Dream Reader
    • BARD Mobile
    • Learning Ally
    • Apple Books or Kindle with VoiceOver (iOS) or TalkBack (Android)

Recording Tools for Studying and Review

Students benefit from recording class content for later listening. Current options include:
  • Voice Memos (iOS)
  • Easy Voice Recorder (Android)
  • Otter.ai (transcribes as it records)
  • Victor Reader Stream (built-in recording feature)
  • Portable digital recorders (e.g., from Sony or Olympus)
Always check school policies before recording classroom content

Speech Recognition & Dictation Tools

Speech-to-text tools empower students to complete assignments using their voice:
  • Built-in dictation on Apple (iOS/macOS), Android, Windows, and Chromebooks
  • Dragon Professional (still used in some cases, though built-in options are now preferred for most students)

Vocabulary Support

When traditional dictionaries are not accessible, students may benefit from:
  • Seeing AI (Microsoft): Free app that reads text, identifies products, describes scenes, and reads barcodes.
  • OrCam Read / OrCam Learn: Devices that read printed text aloud from any surface with the point of a finger (best for older students or those with strong auditory processing).
  • Built-in screen readers can also read aloud dictionary definitions or online content.

Math and Time Tools

  • Talking Calculators: Available in basic and scientific models through vendors like APH and LS&S.
  • Large Print Calculators: Designed with bold, high-contrast buttons and displays.
  • Talking Watches and Clocks: Available with speech output, tactile buttons, and vibration alerts for time orientation and independence.

Physical Education & Orientation Tools

  • Beeping balls and balls with bells: Used in sports like goalball or adapted gym.
  • Beeper boxes: Emit sound to mark landmarks or targets during games or orientation and mobility lessons.
  • Sound-based goal locators: Help students orient themselves to physical locations during gym or mobility practice.

Screen Reading Technology

Screen readers allow students who are blind to access and interact with digital content through speech or braille output:
  • JAWS (Windows)
  • NVDA – free and open-source (Windows)
  • VoiceOver (built into Apple devices)
  • TalkBack (built into Android devices)
  • ChromeVox (built into Chromebooks)
These tools enable full access to documents, emails, websites, apps, and online learning platforms.

Subscribe today!

Subscribe today to unlock premium resources & printables. Choose the subscription level that best fits your needs and get immediate access to additional printable resources, ECC tools, and more. Subscription plans are individual and non-transferable. Your membership helps sustain and grow this resource for the vision community. ​​Thank you for your support!

Article Pages

VI Basics
History of VI ​Vision Professionals​ ​Professional Publications ​​Program Tools & Templates ​Policy & Advocacy ​​Professional Support AT Resources​
Service Planning
VI Referrals​ ​Medical Vision Exam ​Visual DiagnosisFVLMALow Vision EvaluationsOther Evaluations​Service PlansGoals & Objectives
Consultation
​Unique Visual Needs
​Collaboration​​Instructional Adaptations​Environmental Adaptations​​Material Adaptations​Access ClassesFamily Resources
Teaching Strategies
Compensatory Skills
Concept Development​Alternative Communication​Emergent Literacy​Beginning Braille​​Braille Code​Braille Fluency & Comprehension​Braillewriter​​​​​Slate & Stylus Basics *S
​​​Nemeth Code Instruction *S
​​​Tactile Graphics​Print Concepts​​Abacus ​​Organize​​​Study Skills​​Time Management
Sensory Efficiency
​Auditory Efficiency​​​​​Listening Skills​​Visual Efficiency Skills​​Optical Device Use​Tactile Readiness
Assistive Technology
AT Assessment ​AT Instruction​
AT Basic Use ​​AT Problem Solving ​Braille Notetaker ​iOS/Tablet Instruction Audio Skills ​Video Magnifiers ​​Basic Computer Use Access Productivity
Social Skills
​Non-Verbal Skills​​​​​CommunicateCooperativeIdentity & Self-Awareness​Interactions & RelationshipsManaging Challenges & Safety
Self-Determination
Independent Living Skills
Personal Care ​Hygiene  ​Personal Health Mealtime Skills ​​​ Food Preparation​Household SkillsClothing Management​Money & BudgetShopping & ConsumerismPhone Use​Safety & Emergency Preparedness​​Services & Community Resources
Orientation & Mobility
Recreation & Leisure Skills
Career & Vocational
Interactive Activities
Recorded Presentations
Lesson Planning 
Thematic Units
Beginning of the Year Units ​​Fall Units​​Winter Units​​Spring UnitsHoliday Units
Printable Resources
**Additionally, each Teach Subscription page and each Thematic Unit contains additional unique printables!
*M = free member pages
*S = Basic subscription pages
*CS = Complete set bonus
*A = All Access subscription pages