Finding accessible apps for reading

Varju Luceno

DAISY Consortium [daisy.org]

Who need accessible reading apps?

• Users who are blind or have low vision • Those who appreciate a rich reading experience • Educators and assistive technology specialists who need to find

apps that meet the needs of their students• Parents of children with learning disabilities or visual

impairments• Educators and students in developing countries - mostly looking

for Android apps

DAISY Members / Supporters develop apps

Free Learning Ally Audio app for iOS and Android File size: 8.1 MB (iOS), 9.4 MB (Android)• Members get access to more than 80,000 audio books • Text & background colors can be adjusted, rate of reading can be altered• Highlighted text can be set to match a rate that best fits a child’s reading

ability• Available books are for K-12

GoRead & Read2Go

• Developed specifically for the print-disabled• Users can read Bookshare books with voice navigation and text-

to-speech features• Free GoRead app (1.8 MB): Access to Bookshare books (in DAISY,

braille and audio formats) on Android devices• Read2Go app ($19.99) for iOS, 115 MB: Read books in DAISY,

braille and audio• Change font size and color as well as background color

BARD Mobile for iOSDeveloped by National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped• Price: Free (must be a registered user of NLS & BARD)• Size: 11.4 MB• All buttons are labeled • VoiceOver can read all page elements• Access to more than 50,000 books, magazines, and music

scores in audio and digital braille • Speed, tone, font size, and screen contrast may be adjusted

DDReader app for Android

• Free, 3 MB. The user interface offers two modes - Visual and Accessible

• The Visual mode has a simple design with the book index on the right and large buttons at the bottom to control the book playback.

• DAISY 3 full-text full-audio books can be enjoyed with synchronized text highlighting and audio playback

• In the Accessible mode, the same user interface is presented in high contrast to suit the needs of users with limited eyesight

Voice Dream Reader • Price: $9.99. Size: 43.2 MB • Intuitive • All features fully accessible with VoiceOver• Includes Heather, a female US English voice• All 36 built-in VoiceOver voices can be used• Nearly 100 additional paid voices in various languages available

through in-app purchase • Text in 27 languages can be read out loud• Supports DAISY, EPUB, Word, PDF etc.

Collaborative efforts + knowledge sharing = useful apps for specific audiencesExamples:• Legimus, an app from the Swedish Agency for Accessible Media, MTM.

Adapted to the needs of persons with reading disabilities.• Read2Go• Lydhør app: turns mobile devices and tablets into a DAISY-compatible

talking book player, supporting DAISY 2.02, DAISY 3 and EPUB 3 with media overlays.

• Daisylezer

• Leaders: Textalk, Pyxima, Pratsam, Plextor, Dedicon etc.• Direct to Player apps (CNIB, CELA in Canada)

Testing mainstream reading apps: epubtest.org

Goals: • Test and share reviews / information • Assist developers, manufacturers• Achieve consistent reading experience where accessible

content meets accessible reading apps• Test for EPUB 3 conformance• Ensure that accessibility features and best practices are

used consistently

Test Books and Guidelines

• Test plans have been prepared with sample content to carry out the tests• The fundamental test book provides the tests and instructions to

the person conducting the test. As EPUB standards and guidelines evolve, test books also need to be updated. • Accessibility Screening Methodology Guidelines and Checklist

developed in collaboration with Tech For All are available at: http://www.daisy.org/accessibility-screening-methodology-guidelines-and-checklist.html

Baseline requirements

• Well structured text in logical reading order• Adjustable font size and color• Text should be readable with a screen reader or self-voicing

text to speech application, or using a refreshable braille display

Who have achieved higher scores?

• VitalSource Bookshelf Desktop for Mac• Voice Dream Reader• Lektz for Android• Kobo Reader for iOS• iBooks

Key takeaways • Technology and standards are constantly evolving; accessibility

advocates and developers need to learn from each other• Efforts to harness technology that improves user experience and

enhances accessibility are rewarded by increased user numbers and customer loyalty

• Developers who are familiar with complex needs, strive to constantly improve their applications

• It is important to provide concrete suggestions for improvement