The document discusses various accessible reading apps designed for users with visual impairments, educators, and individuals with learning disabilities. It highlights specific apps such as Learning Ally, GoRead, BARD Mobile, and Voice Dream Reader, detailing their features and compatibility. The text emphasizes the importance of evolving technology and collaboration among developers to improve app accessibility and user experience.

1. Finding accessible apps for reading
Varju Luceno
DAISY Consortium [daisy.org]

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. BARD Mobile for iOS
Developed 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

6. 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

7. Voice Dream Reader for iOS
• Price: $9.99, 52.6 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.
• (Android version available since Sept. 2015)

8. Lektz eBook Reader for Android
• Free. Read books stored on your SD Card as well as
those purchased from Lektz Publisher Stores
• Supports basic features of EPUB 3
• Change the font size, brightness and themes to suit
your reading needs
• Add Notes and Bookmarks to a page
• Like what you're reading on Lektz? Share it with the
world using social sharing options (Facebook)
• Navigate to a page from anywhere in the book with
TOC and Go To options

9. Collaborative efforts + knowledge sharing =
useful apps for specific audiences
Examples:
• 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, Pratsam Mobile
• Leaders: Textalk, Pyxima, Pratsam, Plextor, Dedicon etc.
• Direct to Player apps (CNIB, CELA in Canada)

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Which reading systems have achieved higher
scores?
• VitalSource Bookshelf
• Voice Dream Reader
• Lektz for Android
• Readium
• Kobo Reader for iOS
• iBooks