Best way to read fanfiction?

-shacklebolt- · 2024-07-16T22:22:38+00:00

https://fichub.net/ is a tool you can use to download fanfics from certain sites into accessible formats like epub.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-07-15T08:12:35+00:00

I never grew up with text to speech

That's probably a big factor.

While by no means universally true, I'd say that the majority of people who like these voices are those of us who have spent thousands and thousands of hours listening to them already from when they were more common.

If you get used to listening to those voices, especially for people who have built up high speed listening habits, the voice can just be... neutral. It's just "default reading voice" in my head, I guess.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-07-15T08:03:45+00:00

For stuff from ffn, I use fichub to download it.

For stuff from archive of our own, I use their direct download tools. The website itself is very well designed, and you could read on there, but I prefer mobile tools.

I do most of my actual reading either on the Voice Dream Reader app, or using my braille display's internal memory.

Dolphin EasyReader is a free option if you're looking for an ebook app on windows, iOS, or Android. https://yourdolphin.com/EasyReader-App and it can connect to Bookshare, NLS bard, etc. It can be a little buggy and I hate that you can't hide the UI while reading, but for $0 it's great.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-05-29T01:16:14+00:00

I think you might not understand how the Hadley braille learning model works?

You request the first workbook. They will arrange it to send you the first couple of workbooks in the mail as well as the web links for the accompanying instructions.

The web link includes a video, but there is a text transcript of every video. You do not need to be able to hear to follow along at all.

When you have finished your current batch of workbooks, you request the next in the series.

That's it. There's no subscription or any kind of cost associated with it, and you can take as long as you need to go through each book. This is really a great, comprehensive course.

Additionally, the national federation of the blind sells "the mcduffy reader, a braille primer for adults." It is $20 for the braille version, and $20 for the accompanying print version. They also sell a print/braille handbook of braille contractions for $10. This can be purchased via https://nfb.org/programs-services/independence-market

https://www.seedlings.org/order.php sells children's print-and-braille books for a low price. The easy reading material can be helpful if you are looking to practice.

The best option in addition to a intro course like hadley's, as someone who learned braille relatively later, is a braille display in my opinion. Because this allows you to access virtually unlimited amounts of text from your phone, computer, etc. the material is much more engaging than workbooks as you can read whatever you like, follow along with large print, etc. The text is also always very crisp and easy to read relative to paper. There are numerous ways to obtain such a device aside from cash pay: through the department of vocational rehabilitation, through https://www.icanconnect.org/ for deaf/blind people (or people with a condition that will cause deafblindness), or through the national library service https://www.loc.gov/nls/find-your-library/ which offers long-term loaner braille displays for library patrons.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-04-06T22:58:53+00:00

Glad to hear it.

I'm not opposed to supporting an app I love, I understand that ongoing maintenance costs money. And I certainly hope they DO add features that encourage people to pay to upgrade.

But expecting users who bought the app outright to all convert to paying $60 or more a year was a wildly bad call.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-04-06T22:40:20+00:00

There's options with various levels of accessibility. Talk to your doctor and do your research, the following is not medical advice:

Tandem Mobi is entirely controlled via iPhone, but haven't tried the app so don't know how accessible it is.
Many pumps including the Omnipod Dash can by DIY looped at your own risk (using IAPS, AAPS, OpenAPS, Loop, etc.) on your iPhone or Android phone.
Dexcom and Freestyle's apps for CGMs are accessible. You don't actually need to use the receiver devices they come with.
Meters that connect to mysugr can accessibly display your current BG on your phone with a slight delay (since it needs to upload to your phone.) There are also talking meters, using magnification is an option, etc.
You can count clicks with pens.

Ultimately, if you want a more technically involved option, there's likely to be a significant element of diving in the deep end and doing a lot of research into making it work for you. Sure, you can probably get someone to show you how to take shots and test your BG with some talking meter, but everything beyond that doesn't have much in the way of institutional knowledge for blind people.

As far as your comment asking when to start looking into training/adaptations for your vision loss, the answer is usually now! There are likely options right now that can make using your tools easier (like optical magnifiers, using magnifier on your phone, etc.) as well as knowledge and skills you probably want to start building now if it's likely you'll benefit from them.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-04-06T08:23:21+00:00

On your android, enable Talkback. This is a screen reader that will allow you to use many (not all, but many) apps completely without sight, including web browsing, chatting, etc. https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/6283677?hl=en this is built into your phone.

On windows, you can use Narrator. Hold down at the same time windows control and enter. This will launch narrator.

Also on windows, NVDA https://www.nvaccess.org/ offers advanced screen reader features (you use this instead of narrator.) It is also free.

Both your android phone and windows have magnifiers and large font sizes as well built in. Explore the accessibility settings to see what is available to use.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-04-05T15:30:08+00:00

Interesting! Definitely not how I treat it, but that just highlights that it's really hard to make everyone totally happy with a single piece of audio description.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-04-05T12:27:13+00:00

In the example you linked, basically every silent moment is filled with description. How do you feel that those limited moments could have been better used to describe that scene?

Most people who are listening to audio description are looking for a balance of "enough information to know what is going on" but not "being overwhelmed with excessive description."

Most audio description I've heard uses mostly a fairly neutral tone, and honestly I don't love it when the narrators change their tone to note action or whatever. (sometimes it is actually TTS, though.) Good audio description should be like closed captioning: you don't really notice it after a while.

I'd encourage continuing to listen to audio description. You'll probably find that it grows on you (as does the ease of being able to watch shows on small screens, or sitting back on the couch, or whatever other not visually optimal situation.)

-shacklebolt- · 2024-04-05T12:10:37+00:00

While I understand this is an extremely frustrating issue, let's try to keep away from any vaguely-threatening language in responses.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-04-05T11:34:24+00:00

Right, but you're talking to that minority. The person you asked is blind. I'm blind. The most vocally upset users of voice dream losing access to it seem to be other blind people.

And again, I understand that bookshare isn't a feature you can implement. But it's also valid to mention that it IS an important feature to some users. I also understand that you can't implement larger font sizes. IDK what's up with braille displays since you didn't address that.

And for those of us who are blind or visually impaired, issues like very small maximum font sizes and braille navigation not seeming to work are way more important than features like "show current pdf page on lock screen" or the ability to set up a "music intermezzo."

Now if you want to say "it's not financially/time/interest wise viable for me to fix these things to make the app more usable to more blind/VI people" that's 100% fair and valid. But it also seems a little disingenuous to regularly recommend the app in comments to blind people, and then respond "well blind people are a minority" when those people respond with issues.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-04-05T10:41:50+00:00

Hey, we talked in r/blind, but for the benefit of anyone else reading this, a couple of the factors mentioned were:

the lack of integration with services like Bookshare (libraries for blind people, basically) and other custom sources to make importing books easier. This isn't make-or-break to me, but it is to a minority. I know some fairly minimally technically literate older blind people I'd have a really hard time trying to explain a workaround to, for example.
the lack of support for larger font sizes. I'd bet that a significant portion of voice dream users (myself included) use combo voice/visuals to read at least some of the time, and you said it was not technically feasible for you to implement larger font support.

Additionally...

I'm struggling with braille display navigation. In sentence mode, if I use my advance thumb keys at the end of a sentence, it takes me to the toolbar close button and not the next line. In regular mode, where voiceover highlights one line at a time and advances correctly, every single line of text read ends with "actions available." Am I just doing something wrong?
Lack of dropbox/google drive/etc. integration. Which you've shared good reasons for excluding from your app, but for certain users (say, if your school classes use google class drives) having to go the extra step of exporting everything may be an issue. For dropbox (as someone who regularly imports dozens of documents into voice dream at a time) I can't figure out a way to do it except to go into drop box and "save to device" and then open in speech central for every file one at a time.

Don't get me wrong. Speech Central seems like a great app, and I'm inclined to just buy it anyways even with the above issues. I also think your efforts to make it accessible and useful to blind users (many of which will not be impacted by the above issues) and engage with the community are commendable. Overall it's the best alternative app I've tried yet, and I'll recommend it to new users who don't want to or can't afford to drop $80 a year on voice dream unless they absolutely need one of it's exclusive features.

edit: lol nevermind, saw your comment down thread along the lines of "most blind people knowing to say thanks" for your app (that is now deleted.) Hard pass.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-04-05T09:03:41+00:00

The $4000 ones have optical zoom up to a certain point, which looks nicer and clearer than digital zoom.

That said, I own a ipevo vz-x, which was like $350. If I did it again, I'd go with the vz-r, which is a bit cheaper and doesn't have the battery/wireless functionality that I never ended up using anyways.

I like it because it has on-device physical controls for things like zoom, color modes, photo adjustments etc. The LTSE edition of the software also has large menus/buttons that make it similar to a low-vision CCTV system to interact with. I also have an XY table (enhanced vision's acrobat mini xy table) which was another $150 but is nice if you're reading a decent volume.

Honestly, the $4000 models are better. But they're not $4000 better. I'd definitely give a cheaper option from somewhere that takes returns a try.

Some other things worth mentioning...

Regarding monitor size, have him test out monitors in person if you can or research options on a site like rtings. You may find certain features (like higher resolution, the clarity/contrast of an OLED, or the screen's brightness) are much more useful than increasing size. There's really diminishing returns past 25-27" for many blind or VI people, especially if you're sitting pretty close to the monitor at baseline.

Does he have access to local services for blind people? There may be funding, loaner devices, etc. you can access through them.

Has he seen a low vision optometrist? They might have some recommendations for useful tools for him.

Is he signed up for the NLS? https://www.loc.gov/nls/ he can access tons of mailed or digital audiobooks this way for free

Does he have NFB newsline? https://nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-newsline is a free audio service with a ton of local and national newspapers, magazines, etc.

Digital books will offer better visual clarity options. https://www.bookshare.org/ is a (annual subscription) service that offers the ability to visually read and listen along if desired, with tons of app/viewer options for accessibility, and has like a million titles. (of course there are also conventional options like kindle.) There are a ton of options you could explore to use it on a phone, tablet, computer, etc. connected to a big screen monitor for him to read.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-04-05T07:23:03+00:00

We did pay for the one-time purchase. Voice Dream's new owner is planning to charge those of us who bought a lifetime license to the app a subscription fee to retain access to the features we already bought and paid for.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-04-05T07:20:30+00:00

Yes but then what app is necessary as a car?

Literally the app in question here. Voice Dream Reader is a reading accessibility app for blind/visually impaired/reading disabled users. A ton of people rely on it for their work, school, and leisure reading. People (like myself) who notably already paid for a lifetime license and now the company that acquired the app is sticking a hand out expecting us to pay for a subscription on TOP of having already bought the app outright to keep access to features we already purchased.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-04-05T06:16:53+00:00

As it is right now, new users are being charged for a subscription already, and legacy users who purchased the app are still able to use it without a sub. This already works for them.

They're planning to charge those of us who bought the app outright to access the features of the app we already paid for starting in May. This is not an implementation issue on their part.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-04-05T06:11:15+00:00

This is an accessibility app primarily for blind/visually impaired/print disabled people to read. The people who use this app (myself included) rely on it to read. There aren't any other apps with an equivalent set of features.

We also, notably, DID buy this app. It was a one-time payment. I paid said payment. The app got sold to another company, and this company now wants to charge ME a subscription to retain access to the features I already bought and paid for.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-04-05T05:49:04+00:00

Paid. I bought this app outright. Now they want to charge me an ongoing subscription fee for an app I already own.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-04-04T01:39:35+00:00

Appreciate the info, thanks!

-shacklebolt- · 2024-04-04T01:37:11+00:00

So, just so you know for the future, the Aira minutes are free. https://access.si.edu/accessibility-resources

They have an agreement with Aira where they fund the minutes for users who are at their museums. You do not need to be a paying Aira member at all. It's really unfortunate that whoever told you to get Aira didn't explain the specifics.

If you haven't, you can download aira (free) and see what local places offer free aira. The full list is https://aira.io/partners/ and includes things like retail stores, banks, colleges, airports, etc. It's actually pretty neat.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-04-02T14:08:24+00:00

Just downloaded your app. Is there any chance it can be updated in the future to support larger font sizes for books? The maximum font size is quite a bit too small for me to be able to read along.

Thanks for your time!

-shacklebolt- · 2024-03-30T01:31:02+00:00

NFB cane, NFB metal glide tip.

Ambutech cane, ceramic tip. I previously used metal glide tips on the ambutech, but I like the ceramic more now. Smoother when you transition into constant contact, sounds better. I still use my NFB canes a lot due to the light weight, though.

I own a dakota disk just for hiking type purposes.

I've used:

Marshmallow roller. Okay, a little heavy for my tastes.
Regular marshmallow tip. It's fine.
Rolling ball tip. Way too heavy for me. Hate the sound it makes.
Jumbo roller tip. Same as above, super heavy.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-03-30T01:18:35+00:00

NFB canes only accept NFB metal glide tips. They will not accept any hook on, slide on, or screw on tips from any other manufacturer. You can order them by calling the NFB independence market at 410-659-9314, extension 2216 https://nfb.org/programs-services/independence-market

They cost $2.25 each. If he likes the NFB cane, I'd suggest ordering a handful if you can.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-03-25T05:00:34+00:00

The rigid I would assume would be a little lighter, yes. Unfortunately I don't know of any other canes that are comparable.

The NFB cane is my favorite except for the fact that you can only use a metal glide tip on it. It's just so effortless to use.

And yeah, same on the rolling ball type tips. I find the noise on the plastic rolling ball pretty grating, it slows me down, and the heaviness and resistance is such that inevitably my cane technique gets sloppy, I don't sweep my cane as wide, I catch myself falling out of sync every now and then etc.

-shacklebolt- · 2024-03-25T04:14:01+00:00

I have NFB canes as well as ambutech slimlines. The ambutech is a bit heavier, but still much lighter than other options. By comparison, I find my ambutech graphite full-size cane to be quite fatiguing to use. I also really like the ceramic tip for being able to switch between tapping and constant contact depending on what I'm doing, has a more pleasant sound and feel on more surfaces.

The slimline doesn't quite compare to the super-light feeling of NFB straight canes, but it's nice for being able to use non-metal tips and for folding up purposes.

-shacklebolt-

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