Using Audiobook Apps

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
​Updated June 27, 2025
​Incorporating audiobook apps into instruction can enhance literacy development and access to learning materials for students who are blind or visually impaired. Audiobooks should supplement, not replace, braille or print literacy instruction. When used thoughtfully, they can improve listening skills, support comprehension, and foster independence in reading and learning.

​Strategies for Success

  • Choose Accessible Apps: Select apps designed with accessibility in mind, such as Voice Dream Reader, BARD Mobile, Learning Ally,  Bookshare’s Read2Go, and Dolphin EasyReader. These apps work well with screen readers and refreshable braille displays.
  • Familiarize with Navigation: Teach students how to navigate menus, search for books, and control playback using gestures, keyboard shortcuts, or switches.
  • Use Screen Reading Support: Enable VoiceOver (iOS) or TalkBack (Android) to hear feedback about the functions and controls.
  • Bookmark Key Sections: Teach students how to bookmark important sections to return to later for reference or review.
  • Adjust Playback Speed: Teach students to experiment with playback speeds to find their preferred pace. Slower speeds may help with comprehension, while faster ones can aid in efficient studying or assignments.
  • Create Playlists or Libraries: Teach the student to organize books into folders or categories (e.g., fiction, school subjects, favorites) to make finding content easier.
  • Explore Accessibility Settings: Teach the student how to use high-contrast mode, font adjustments, and custom voice settings to tailor the experience to the student’s needs.
  • Connect Bluetooth Devices: Teach the students to pair the device with Bluetooth headphones or a refreshable braille display to support both auditory and tactile access.
  • Seek Support and Tutorials: Teach students to explore user guides, built-in help sections, or community forums for each app. Platforms like Hadley, AppleVis, APH, and others offer helpful tutorials.

Recommended Audiobook Apps

  • Voice Dream Reader ($14.99 – iOS) A flexible and highly accessible reading app that supports text-to-speech with customizable voices, visual layout options, and direct integration with Bookshare, Dropbox, and more. It reads PDFs, Word docs, EPUB, DAISY books, and web pages.
  • BARD Mobile (Free with membership – iOS, Android, PC, Mac) Developed by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), BARD Mobile provides access to thousands of downloadable audio and braille books. Requires a free account with a participating NLS library.
  • Learning Ally Link (Free – iOS, Android, and desktop) Offers access to a large library of human-narrated educational and fiction titles. Especially useful for K–12 and college-level students with a qualifying print disability.
  • Dolphin EasyReader – Free (iOS & Android) An excellent app for reading accessible books from libraries like Bookshare, RNIB, NFB-NEWSLINE, and others. Designed for low vision and blind users with customizable visual and audio settings, and braille display support.
  • Audible (Free app, subscription required – iOS & Android) A commercial service from Amazon offering professional audio recordings of books and podcasts. While not designed specifically for individuals with visual impairments, VoiceOver works well with it and supports features like bookmarking and adjustable playback speed.
  • Kindle App (Free – iOS, Android, and desktop) Supports screen reader accessibility and text customization. Works with VoiceOver and TalkBack, and many books offer Amazon’s Whispersync for Voice, syncing audiobooks and eBooks. Great for students who prefer multimodal learning.

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