Tag: Kindle

  • Accessibility Support Phone Lines You Should Know

    Accessibility Support Phone Lines You Should Know

    This article was originally published April 1, 2017 and most recently updated on October 23, 2024.

    With a welcomed emphasis on accessibility and inclusion, numerous companies now offer specialized support services for customers with vision loss. They are there to help you get the most out of their products and to ensure your devices are set right to accommodate your needs. This is an effort we greatly appreciate and are delighted to spread the word.

    Amazon’s Accessibility Customer Service

    888-283-1678

    Call to speak with an accessibility specialist who can help you buy books and other products, or get you directly to tech support for Amazon devices and services including Alexa, Kindle & Fire Tablet. Hands raised triumphantly for accessible and inclusive smartphones. 

    Audible Support: 888-283-5051.

    American Airlines Special Assistance 

    800-237-7976

    Arrange the assistance you need for navigating the airport, security screening, location of gate, seat number, connecting flights, baggage claim and ground transportation. 

    Apple Accessibility Support Line

    877-204-3930

    For users of Apple’s iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple Watch, or Mac – this is a gift. It is a special support line reserved for customers with vision, hearing, motor, and learning impairments. Senior AppleCare specialists are available 24/7 to help you get your Accessibility Settings right, answer your questions, and resolve your technical issues. They’ll even teach you a thing or two.

    AT&T 

    National Center for Citizens with Disabilities (NCCD)

    866-241-6568

    This is where wireless customers with vision loss get answers to questions about accessibility features and services available from AT&T.

    Comcast Accessibility

    855-270-0379

    Call Comcast’s Accessibility Support Center to speak with a specially trained representative about accessibility features. You can also communicate via email at: [email protected].

    Delta Air Lines Accessibility Services

    404-209-3434

    A special and all-inclusive service from Delta, for customers with accessibility needs, book your air travel and accessibility assistance, all together. 

    Google

    To request a call back, from a Google Disability support specialist, complete this online form.

    Call an accessibility specialist at Google through the BeMyEyes app on a smartphone or tablet. Click the ‘Service Directory tab’ button on the app’s home page, select Google in the Technical tab.

    Google Technical Support: 855-971-9121 may (or may not) be able to help with accessibility questions, depends on the specialist you connect with.

    HP Accessibility Support

    888-259-5707

    Technical support for customers with accessibility needs, pertaining to HP (Hewlett Packard) products, available from 6am to 9pm Mountain Time.

    LinkedIn Disability Answer Desk

    Call on Be My Eyes app

    Contact an accessibility specialist at the LinkedIn Disability Answer Desk through the Be My Eyes app, on a smartphone or tablet; click the Specialized Help button on the apps home page, then select Technical to get to LinkedIn.

    Microsoft Disability Answer Desk

    800-936-5900 or the Be My Eyes app

    The features you need to make your PC ‘vision friendly’ are built right into Windows – unfortunately, many people don’t know that. Microsoft recognized this as a significant problem and put in place a support team specialized in accessibility. So dial them up and get your computer set up to work for you (not against you). And, to make it even easier on yourself — allow them remote access to your PC and they can make the adjustments.

    Peloton

    The Accessibility Team at Peloton will answer your questions and give you a call, if you request it by email to: accessibility@onepeloton.com.

    Samsung Accessibility

    972-761-7123

    Contact the Accessibility Team at Samsung for answers to questions, large and small, about all Samsung products.  Reach out by phone or email: [email protected] to request a call back. 

    For general support in the U.S. contact Samsung at: 800-726-7864 by text or voice.

    Spectrum Accessibility Support

    844-762-1301

    Call this support line to learn about and take advantage of Spectrum cable accessibility accommodations.

    Spotify

    Call on Be My Eyes app

    Get help from your smartphone or tablet with any questions you may have about Spotify, the world’s largest music streaming service. Speak to a trained customer service specialist on BME; go to Specialized Help, Technical, then Spotify.

    T-Mobile Accessibility

    833-428-1785

    T-Mobile has an Accessibility Support web page. It says, “T-Mobile will provide accessible support for wireless network service and billing inquiries. Please contact our Accessibility Customer Care at 1-833-428-1785 if you have any questions or need special assistance. For additional support, please contact Customer Care.”

    United Airlines Accessibility Desk 

    800-228-2744

    Arrange the assistance you need for navigating the airport, security screening, location of gate, seat number, connecting flights, baggage claim and ground transportation. 

    Verizon Center for Customers with Disabilities

    800-974-6006

    verizon.com/disabilities

    Free 411 for your home phone and for your mobile phone. Get your bills in the format of your choice…large print or digital. They can help you with anything else pertaining to your home phone service.

    Verizon Wireless National Accessibility Center

    888-262-1999

    It can sometimes be challenging to get information about accessibility features that make your mobile phone, or tablet, work for you. Questions about enlarging text, using voice commands effectively, or using the screen reader, often remain unanswered when posed to your store representative. That should be the case no more – now there is a customer service and technical support center dedicated to helping people maximize the accessibility features built into all of Verizon’s mobile devices. Let them help you get your device set just right for you, from 8am – 9pm EST, Monday – Friday.

    We will continue adding Accessibility Support services as we discover them. Please let us know if you know of any before we do, and we’ll share by posting to this list.

  • Best Gifts For The Visually Impaired

    Best Gifts For The Visually Impaired

    Finding the right gift, for someone who has a visual impairment, can be complicated. Great gifts come in many forms and at many prices. So, as usual, we are including some gifts that don’t cost a lot and some that don’t cost anything, because the gift of empowerment is priceless!

    Gift Box With A White Ribbon In Female Hands. Gift Giving. The Woman Gives A Gift. Birthday Present.


    ⭐️These Gifts are Priceless…

    • OE Subscription – Free

    Sign someone you love up for monthly email updates providing the best practical tips and most encouraging advice for living with vision loss. And get them connected to the OE Patients Podcast, a must for listeners with low vision, available on OE, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 

    Sign up here: OEPatients.org/signup

    • Hadley Video Tutorials – Free

    As close to a private instructor as you can get, for training on the use of Apple, Android and Microsoft accessibility features. 

    Read Meet Hadley 2.0, Your Personal Tutor

    Visit: HadleyHelps.org

    • Be My Eyes – Free

    This free app connects visually impaired and blind users with 4 million sighted volunteers, ready to lend a good pair of eyes, or get specialized help from Google, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Spotify, Accessible Pharmacy and many more.

    Read The Benevolence of Be My Eyes

    Visit: BeMyEyes.com


    ⭐️Handy Gifts to Give or Get…

    • BoldWriter Pens – $15

    A must-have stocking stuffer. This is the most coveted and appreciated writing tool for low vision users. Its dark bold line never bleeds through paper. Buy on Amazon.

    • AutoDrop – $7

    Another great stocking stuffer that everyone will thank you for. This guide for getting the drops into the eye, not all over the face, is inexpensive enough to give in multiples.

    Read AutoDrop Is A Real Eye Opener.

    Buy it on Amazon

    Image shows vibrant and delicious looking freshly picked oranges
    Image shows vibrant and delicious looking freshly picked oranges.

    • A Case of Oranges -$30+

    Citrus is getting a lot of good press, and oranges are always a crowd pleaser. We are learning that an orange a day, may keep the vision loss at bay, particularly in the case of age-related macular degeneration. Send someone you love a case and help them get into the regular habit of enjoying the benefits.

    Read 5 Sight Saving Habits to Start Now

    Ship oranges from HaleGroves.com

    • Large Print Playing Cards – $6

    We love the easy reading whimsey of these larger than life playing cards.

    Check out: Amazon

    Breaking Eggs graphic image shows egg wearing headphones
    Breaking Eggs graphic image shows egg wearing headphones.

    Breaking Eggs, an audio guide to baking with Ruby Tandon — $5

    We love this audible baking guide. It’s like a fabulous private cooking class for delicious baked goods, no reading required.

    Read Breaking Eggs Makes Baking Audible

    Buy it on Audible

    Image shows graphic image of stand mirror in white on green background.

    Magnifying Mirror – $20+

    You don’t have to have low vision to love this gift.

    Optelec Compact MINI Magnifier – $295

    An electronic magnifier for low vision with contrast settings and magnification to 11x. Small and light, fits easily into a pocket.

    Go to Optelec.

    Multi LED Magnifier – $9.99

    A simple illuminated magnifier for everyone. Slips into a pocket. Magnifies up to 6x.

    At the Container Store.

    20/20 Pens by Paper Mate $7.95

    For people living with low vision, these pens are simply the best. The dense black line that won’t bleed through the page.

    Get them on Amazon.

    Jumbo Playing Cards $9.99

    Easy to see, whimsical and fun for any age.

    On Amazon.

    Read Best Magnifying Mirrors in 2022 Reviews


    ⭐️Gift a Subscription…

    Audible – $90+ year

    Treat someone you love to a subscription and they’ll get to enjoy 1 new audiobook, of their choosing, each month. 

    Visit the Audible website and you might even find a special deal.

    Image shows hand holding smartphone while using Aira app in supermarket
    Image shows hand holding smartphone while using Aira app in supermarket.

    Aira – $30+ a month

    Everyone with vision loss should know there are professionally trained agents available on this subscription based service to assist with all kinds of tasks through the smartphone camera, on the Aira app. Call for help reading cooking directions, setting a thermostat or appliance setting, confirming a location and reading text. Help is also available fee free at guest locations like: AT&T, Bank of America, Starbucks, Target, Walgreens and Wegmans.

    Subscriptions begin at $29 a month for 30 minutes.

    Fund a subscription or give a gift credit at: Aira.io 

    Call Customer Care: 800-835-1934

    GoGo Grandparent – $10+ a month

    The service will not only get you an Uber or a Lyft without a smartphone, it now accepts phone orders for delivery of meals and groceries. Open an account for someone you love or upgrade them to GoGo Gold. Here’s how it works: 

    Read: GoGo Grandparent Gets an Uber Without an App


    ⭐️Talking Tech and Smart Devices…

     

    Image shows: Apple iPad and AirPods on a gray mat
    Image shows: Apple iPad and AirPods on a gray mat.

    Apple iPhone or iPad – $329+

    Tops in terms of accessibility for people with vision loss, these are big gifts that keep giving in more ways than we can possibly count. 

    Read 10 Things to Know About iPhone Accessibility for Vision

    Read iPad Accessibility Set Just Right for You

    Apple AirPods – $169

    A most desirable gift for anyone, but particularly sweet and thoughtful for someone with vision loss who depends on the audible features of their mobile devices. Pairs with Apple devices without needing even a click. 

    More at Apple.com

    Apple AirTags -$30+

    This gift will eliminate the potential for self-loathing that occurs when you can’t find keys, wallets or other personal essentials. A small disk is attached to lead you to the item or prevent it’s loss to begin with. 

    Read Lost and Found with AirTags

    More about AirTags at Apple

    Image shows the Kindle Paperwhite e-Reader
    Image shows the Kindle Paperwhite e-Reader.

    Kindle – $140+

    At this point, the Amazon Kindle is a classic e-Reader and an old favorite among people needing a boost in contrast or font size. The Kindle Paperwhite is a great choice and one of the truly easy electronics to operate. 

    Visit the Kindle on Amazon

    Image shows gray Google Home mini speaker
    Image shows gray Google Home mini speaker.

    Smart Speakers – $50+

    Alexa, Google, Siri, it’s your pick, we love them all! A variety of models to choose from, with something for everyone. This is a most desirable gift and it’s perfectly fine to have more than one around the house.

    Here’s why they’re great for people with low vision: Smart Speakers You Ask They Answer

    Fire Tablet with Alexa – $50+

    The tablet with Alexa built-in will read Kindle aloud and play Audible books – just ask.

    Read Alexa, Read My Book

    Amazon Echo from $119

    The voice-controlled smart speaker connects to the intelligent assistant Alexa. Ask for news, weather, sports scores, trivia. It will read you a book or order your groceries, and that’s just the beginning. This item has been widely adopted by people with low vision and blindness. It’s good for everyone!

    Get it on Amazon, of course.


    ⭐️Gift Cards Give Freedom…

     

    Image shows Apple Gift Card
    Image shows Apple Gift Card.

    Gift Cards — $25+

    Gift cards are the most popular gift in America, they provide benefit to the giver and the receiver, especially easy when they’re digital. It is perhaps the most thoughtful gift of all, to fund the gift your recipient desires.   

    Here are some ideas:

    Apple Gift Card

    Amazon Gift Card

    Audible Gift Card

    Aira Gift Credit

    This article was previously published November 20, 2020 and updated November 16, 2021. 

    Please note: this post was not influenced or sponsored by any of the parties mentioned and we derive no financial benefit from the content.

  • Event Recap: Amazon’s Accessibility

    Event Recap: Amazon’s Accessibility

    Like everything about Amazon, its commitment to accessibility is big. Because there is so much to know, we decided to make it the subject of this Accessibility Resource session for people with vision loss.  You may be familiar with font and screen settings for Kindle, or voice assistance from Alexa; but did you know about Accessibility Support for shopping, or the VoiceView screen reader in Kindle’s and Fire tablets.  And there’s more.

    Here is a rundown of vision accessibility options available in Amazon’s products and services.

     

    White shopping cart icon on blue circle.

    Shopping Made Easier

    Amazon recommends its mobile site for improved access visually or with screen readers.  Optimized for mobile devices, this site offers a much cleaner, less cluttered interface which simplifies navigation.  They also added an Accessibility Support Phone for retail, a personal shopper will help you find the products you want and put them in your cart, then you just have to click to place your order.  You can also ask Alexa to find products or reorder items.

    • Contact Accessibility Support / Personal Shopper: 888-283-1678

     

    Fire TV

    The streaming media player connects your TV to the internet and allow you to access channels and apps.  Ask Alexa to turn on the TV, dim the lights, and play “Stranger Things.”

    • Alexa – voice access
    • VoiceView – screen reader
    • Screen Magnifier – zoom in for closer look
    • High Contrast Text – white on black with a border
    • Audio Description – on movies & TV

    More at: All New Fire TV

     

    Amazon Fire 7 Tablet with opened box.

    Fire Tablet

    • Alexa – voice access video, books, apps
    • Screen Magnifier – pinch to zoom
    • Large Font Mode – increase font size on menus and text, emails, books
    • Kindle App – adjust font (11 sizes) background color, brightness and margin
    • VoiceView – screen reader with onscreen tutorial
    • Explore by Touch – gestures and shortcuts
    • Braille Support
    • Help – accessibility user guide
    • Technical support with remote access

    More at: All New Tablets

     

    Kindle eReaders

    • Customize font size, style and weight
    • Invert background color to black with white text
    • Control screen brightness
    • Select themes including line spacing and margins
    • Glare-free screens
    • VoiceView screenreader (external for Paperwhite)

    More at: All New Kindles

     

    Light blue and white Amazon Alexa app icon.

    Ask Alexa

    • What are your skills?
    • What time is it?
    • What is the weather?
    • Turn on TV, lights, appliances.
    • Read my Kindle or Audible book.
    • Play a podcast.
    • Play a game.
    • Check spelling, grammar and definitions.

    More about: What Alexa Can Do

    More on Amazon at: Amazon Accessibility

     

    Black and white telephone call icon.

    Amazon Support Phone Lines

    Customer service and technical support are very good and the new Accessibility Support (primarily for retail purchases) will connect to any other specialists you may need to access.  All are well versed in accessibility features for specific devices.

    Accessibility / Personal Shopper: 888-283-1678

    Alexa: 877-375-9365

    Kindle & Fire: 866-321-8851

     

    Amazon Books Store

    Amazon takes a new physical form, at their store in NYC, they will set up your device with an emphasis on accessibility and show you how to use it.

    Amazon Books

    7 West 34 Street (across from Empire State Building)

    New York City 10001

    Phone: 212-695-8704

    More at: Amazon Store NYC

     

  • Kindle Gets A Voice

    Kindle Gets A Voice

    Remember the days when books were printed on paper and text size could not be adjusted? Amazon’s Kindle forever changed the way we read. It also made it possible for many people with low vision to continue reading with their chosen font size and better light built into the page.

    The Kindle also has something of a checkered past when it comes to Accessibility. In the early generations, Amazon implemented Text To Speech for visually impaired or blind users. And then they restricted it pending publishers approval. the concern was about authors potentially losing revenue from audiobooks, if eBooks could be converted to “free” audiobooks. It was clear they were missing the point.

    A few years back they put screen readers in Fire Tablets and eliminated them from Kindle eReaders. But that was then,  and now, it appears, they have seen the light. Hallelujah!

    Today’s Kindle eReaders and Kindle Paperwhite can be purchased with a VoiceView Audio Adapter. This is a screen reader that plugs into the USB port. The sound is delivered through Bluetooth earphones or speakers. The screen reader provides spoken feedback for navigating the device menus, settings, library, etc. And, of course, it reads the books to you.

    An Amazon Paperwhite eReader with a VoiceView audio adapter.
    An Amazon Paperwhite eReader with a VoiceView audio adapter.

    The price of the adapter ($19.99) is credited back to your account, so you are not actually paying more for accessibility.  Tutorials are built in to help you learn gesture-based navigation.

    Amazon continues to progress and promised much more to come in accessibility. Maybe even a dedicated Accessibility Support Phone Line?

    For now, if you need help call the friendly and competent general Kindle’s Support Line at 866.321.8851.

     

    Article first published on September 8, 2017.