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What are the audio-content services available for blind, visually impaired and old people in the USA? How can an 80 years old person listen to podcasts? and how much would it cost?
Hello! Thanks for your question about podcast services for the blind. The short version is that most applications are designed with the tech-savvy in mind, but there are a few players, applications, and devices that allow a visually impaired person to listen to content. Below you will find a deep dive of my findings.
METHODOLOGY
I combed through the available resources on the internet to locate which applications were designed to assist the visually impaired in accessing content. I found that there weren't many services that were designed for accessibility alone. Most of the available products were designed as podcast aggregators, then programmed to work with either Android or iOS voice over capabilities.
There are also a small number of players that were programmed for the PC or Mac. These programs can be downloaded onto the computer rather than utilizing a handheld device.
Lastly, there are a few mp3 and digital book players for the blind. These are actual devices specifically made for the visually impaired. While podcasts typically play in mp3 format, none of the devices explicitly state that they will handle podcast applications.
All of these services involved some sort of technological knowledge. The user would have to be familiar with or have help with installing and running applications on a handheld device, computer, or other device.
DEVICE ACCESSABILITY AND APPLICATIONS
The most commonly referenced way for visually impaired people to access podcast content was through their phones or handheld devices. Both Android and iOS have built-in technology.
While the Android TalkBack feature helps blind people navigate the content on their home screens and in applications, it does not appear that it will work with all Android applications. It is left up to the developers to test their application to verify that it works with Android's options.
Because Apple controls what applications it puts on the marketplace, more of Apple's applications work with Apple's VoiceOver. This means that a visually impaired user will be able to navigate podcast application on their iOS (iPhone or iPad) device equally easily.
Both of these features are built into the operating system of the handheld device, so there is no cost associated with them aside from the base cost of the chosen phone or tablet.
APPLCATIONS FOR THE COMPUTER
There aren't very many accessible applications that can be used on a PC or Mac. I was able to find three that were specifically programmed for the visually impaired.
iTunes works with both handheld devices, and it can be installed on the user's computer. Users with a Mac will be able to enable VoiceOver, as Apple makes the feature available on all of its products. The iTunes download is free, but certain applications or podcasts will have an associated cost.
Juice is a computer application for podcasts that explicitly states that it is accessible for blind users through its Windows version. However, looking through their web page, they give no instruction on how this function works. Juice is free.
Accessible Podcatcher is the only service that was made for visually impaired users. This service is also free, and the installation web page links to a video that will help users install the application.
DIGITAL READERS FOR THE BLIND
The American Foundation for the Blind has a resource on their website listing mp3 devices and digital book players for the visually impaired. The vast majority of these players were typical handheld devices such as iPods, iPads, Kindles, and Zunes and their associated accessibility features and applications referenced above. There were two listed devices that were devices made for the blind.
The Victor Reader Stream (which had already been mentioned in the notes provided to me) has a wide variety of audio files it can read, but does not explicitly state it helps with finding or playing podcasts. The device costs $369.00 USD. Their "products" website also lists other devices that provide braille displays for handhelds, but these devices were extremely expensive, costing around $3,000-$5,000 USD.
The AFB also named The Book Courier as a good product, but a quick examination of their web page provided the information that their product had been discontinued.
CONCLUSION
To wrap it up, there are a number of free services available for the visually impaired users who wish to listen to podcasts and one purchasable device for playing mp3s and digital books. However, all of them require some technical knowledge. Thanks for using Wonder! Please let us know if we can help with anything else!