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.
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.
Email: [email protected]