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Tag: NFB Newsline

  • Get Accessible News at NFB-Newsline

    Get Accessible News at NFB-Newsline

     

    It would be completely reasonable to expect that reading the news on a mobile app should be more accessible than ever, for people with vision loss, but this is not actually the case. The navigation of your favorite newspaper still feels rather unrefined.  Whether reading with your eyes, or a speech feature, the pages may suddenly lurch back or forward, leaving you searching to find your place again.  Articles loaded with ads, and other links, chronically  disrupt your focus. Depending on the day, a mobile screen reader might just leap over an entire section of text or mispronounce a bunch of words. The images frequently are not labeled, instead providing long digital codes in place of descriptions. It all makes you wonder, why is award winning journalism so hard to read?

    The solution that may resolve many of these issues is NFB- Newsline.  A fee free news service offering audio content to anyone who is blind, has low vision or is print disabled. Subscribers are granted access to over 500 publications including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, Time, Consumer Reports and hundreds more.  Select options for local news publications, emergency alerts and even local TV listings by provider.  There are many ways to get NEWSLINE, on an app, with Alexa on an Echo device, online or by email,  or dial in to listen on any phone. 

     

    Image shows young woman listening to the news on an iPhone.
    Image shows young woman listening to the news on an iPhone.

     

    iOS NEWSLINE MOBILE APP 

    Get the Apple iOS app, on the App Store, for use with iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, all fully accessible with VoiceOver or Braille display.  The app has a free version of KNFB Reader Basic with functions that scan any printed text and read it aloud, on the go. 

     

    AMAZON ALEXA

    Hands free access via Alexa on any Echo product. Personalize settings and navigate to sections and articles using voice commands. 

    Visit Alexa instructions

    visit Alexa training video

    ONLINE & EMAIL

    Go to http://www.nfbnewslineonline.org/ to access or email full publications, sections or articles.

     

    DIAL IN BY PHONE

    NFB-NEWSLINe audio content can also be accessed by phone with the touch of buttons that enable reading and voice controls. 

    Visit NEWSLINE phone instructions

     

    There’s a lot available here, and it may seem overwhelming, so step back and take a breath. First sign up. Then decide how you want to access your news? Now follow the links for more info, or even better yet, call the wonderfully helpful information line for help getting set up and acclimated.

    Call NFB-NEWSLINE: 866-504-7300

     

    To sign up for Newsline call NFB or complete the application online. All subscribers to NLS Talking Books program are pre-approved. 

    Online Application

    Email: [email protected]

     

  • Event Recap: App Happy

    Event Recap: App Happy

    Thanks to all who attended our accessibility session on Apps, coming out despite the Arctic blast that hit with a relentless mix of icy rain and snow.  The discussion was lively and always interesting and informative, exactly as we hoped it would be. People sharing their experience and learning from each other.

    We acknowledged, upfront, that the topic of apps is massive and could be discussed for days. Apps that help us compensate for vision loss are available in many categories. We have lots of choices, and selecting the apps we integrate into daily life is a very individual process.

    It was also delightful to note, that accessibility for people with vision loss is a priority, emphasized by tech leaders like Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.  Inclusive technology is shifting our expectations and bridging the gaps.  Although it’s not perfect…it’s really good.

    Finding the apps that work for you will make life a little easier.

    The recap that follows is a look at some specific apps and new developments we talked about at our “App Happy” session. It’s not only the apps with the bells and whistles that can change your life. Access to the basic built-in iPhone apps like Contacts, Camera, Messages, News, Clock, and Maps, can make a huge difference in your everyday.   

     

    Here are the apps that kicked off our “App Happy” discussion: 

    Seeing AI App (iOS Only)

    This app from Microsoft has been around for just over a year and has already expanded its channels and improved its performance noticeably. Built for iOS exclusively, but rumored to be adding Android soon. Read more about Seeing AI in our article here.

    9 Channels:

    • Short Text – Reads instantly
    • Document – Aligns and reads full page
    • Product – Barcode reader
    • Person – Facial recognition; fun but not sure how functional
    • Currency Reader – US and Canadian
    • Scene Reader – take a photo and it describes the scene and reads text
    • Color Reader – identifies color
    • Handwriting Reader – much improved for handwritten print or cursive
    • Light Indicator – changes tone to the direction of light

     

    Soundscape App (iOS Only)

    A “map with 3D sound” provides information about your environment. Also from Microsoft, exclusively for iOS (so far). Read more about Microsoft Soundscape in our article here.

    4 Channels:

    • My Location – figure out where you are, direction facing, points of interest
    • Nearby Marker – locations you have marked
    • Around Me – what’s in the 4 surrounding quadrants
    • Ahead of Me – street names, buildings, businesses coming up

     

    Aira App

    A new assisted navigation service provided by trained agents viewing your location by live video.

    • Log in as a guest to try in fee-free locations like Walgreens, AT&T, Wegmans and a growing list of airports and businesses
    • Also available for a monthly subscription starting at $89. for 100 minutes

     

    Be My Eyes App

    This app provides live video access to a network of 1 million volunteers helping 80 thousand people with vision loss in 180 countries.

    • Average wait for a volunteer: 30 seconds
    • Get help with appliances, electronics, instructions, identification, etc.
    • Not recommended to share private information
    • Newly partnered with Microsoft Disability Desk


    GalaPro App

    The app making New York’s Broadway shows accessible to audience members with vision and hearing loss, from the privacy of their own mobile phone. Read more about GalaPro in our article here.
    • Audio descriptions syncs with live performance
    • An accessibility kiosk in every theater helps get you started
    • Also, offers closed captioning and language translation 

     

    More App Happy audience favorites:

    Amazon App

    • Now with access to live Disability Hotline 888-283-1678 for shopping assistance.

     

    Alexa App

    • For Book Reading, Shopping, Calendar, Music, Recipes, Games, Translation and more.

     

    Amazon Prime Video App

    • Watch Prime Video on numerous devices with audio description.

     

    Apple News App

    • The standard iOS app that provides access to a large selection of curated news from major outlets including New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Vanity Fair, Bloomberg, CNN, Food Network and more.

     

    NFB Newsline App (iOS Only) 

    • The National Federation of the Blind now offers an app for iOS that extends their newspaper reading service to over 300 publications, for eligible users.

     

    Shazam App

    • An entertaining app that identifies music, movies, TV, and ads, after hearing just a short snippet. Apple recently bought the technology and now offers it on iOS, Mac OS, TV OS, and Watch OS.

     

    Drop us a note by email, or post a comment on our Facebook.