Category: Accessible Assistive Technology Resources

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Accessible Assistive Technology Resources Bridges Blog Educational Resources Series: March Madness, Reading Edition; March, 2023

Accessible College Textbook Program

March Madness – Reading Edition!

March is National Reading Month, so the Bridges Technical Assistance Center’s Helpdesk is celebrating March Madness – Reading Edition! This month, we will be sharing reading-related resources all month long.

In this fourth and last installment of our “March Madness – Reading Edition!” series, we learn about a program that can provide accessible versions of college textbooks.

Can’t I Get My College Textbooks from My School’s Disability Services Office?

Yes, you certainly can. The Maryland Accessible Textbook Program (MATP), discussed below, provides you with an additional option to order textbooks. Also, note that some colleges work with the MATP to provide the books you need.

What Is the Maryland Accessible Textbook Program (MATP)?

The Maryland Accessible Textbook Program (MATP), which is run by the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPD), provides accessible college textbooks for eligible Maryland residents. There is no charge for this service (but the student must purchase the non-adapted materials, just as nondisabled students must do.)

The MATP takes student-purchased college textbooks and provides the material in your choice of the following formats:

  • Large Print
  • Audio (MP3)
  • Microsoft Word
  • PDF
  • DAISY
  • EPUB

How do I sign up for MATP?

In order to sign up with the MATP program, you must complete two documents, the MATP Student Agreement and the MATP Verification Letter & Form. Please contact us at the Free Bridges Helpdesk with any questions or concerns you may have.

What if I want a different format than MATP offers?

If you want your textbook in a different format, such as hard copy braille or BRF (Braille Ready File), you will want to make that request of your college’s Disability Services Office. Additionally, if you want tactile graphics, audio-described videos, etc., contact your college’s Disability Services Office and make a formal request for these as soon as possible. Also, please consider reaching out to us at the Free Bridges Helpdesk for support/guidance in making these requests. We are happy to help you from start to finish, including attending meetings with your college’s Disability Services Office. We are here to support you; just reach out.

What If I Need a Device to Access the Accessible Textbook Files?

The LPBD has a program where you may borrow a Victor Reader Stream from the Library. There is no charge for borrowing the Victor Reader Stream, but you must complete a “Maryland Accessible Textbook Program Victor Stream Loaner Agreement” and take responsibility for any loss or damage to the device while you are using it.

I am a high school student taking college classes. Can I use MATP?

Yes, so long as you are enrolled in a college or university and need these textbooks for your classes. Please note that, if you are participating in the college class through a program in your high school, such as dual enrollment, your school district may also provide the materials you need. Please reach out to us at the Free Bridges Helpdesk if you want ideas or help in requesting accessible materials.

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Bridges Technical Assistance Center’s Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.

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Accessible Assistive Technology Resources Bridges Blog Educational Resources Employment Resources Extracurricular Resources Independent Living Resources Recreation Resources Series: March Madness, Reading Edition; March, 2023

Voice Dream Reader and More!

March Madness – Reading Edition!

March is National Reading Month, so the Bridges Technical Assistance Center’s Helpdesk is celebrating March Madness – Reading Edition! This month, we will be sharing reading-related resources all month long.

In this third installment of our “March Madness – Reading Edition!” series, we delve into Voice Dream Reader as well as some other accessible reading apps.

About Voice Dream Reader

Voice Dream Reader is a versatile, navigable, and intuitive tool. For ten dollars, you can buy lifelong access to a powerful reading app.

Files that Voice Dream Reader Can Read

You can read multiple file types, including EPUB (that are DRM Free), DAISY Audio, DAISY Text, Plain Text, HTML, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint.

Additionally, Voice Dream Reader can scan many PDF files, even some that other readers might struggle with. If there is a PDF you want to read, you can check if Voice Dream Reader can do it by simply sharing the file with the app, and opening it. If Voice Dream Reader it gives you the option, you can proceed with the scan and read the PDF.

Easy to Load Files into Voice Dream Reader

Sometimes it can be frustrating to make sure the file you want is in a place that your reading app can access. You can store and organize books and other files from a variety of sources, including others apps, the web, and Bookshare. You can also use Voice Dream Reader to access local files on your device.

From a shared Google Drive folder to an online news article to anything from your Bookshare account, you should be able to access virtually any reading material. You should be able to navigate it systematically and customize how quickly and with which voice it is read to you. You can also keep track of it based on (1) where it came from, (2) when you downloaded it, and (3) other, more creative criteria up to and including renaming the file to something that makes more sense to you.

Other Voice Dream Reader Features

  • Can pair with a refreshable braille display
  • Control of Reading Modes
  • Audio Controls
  • Library Management
  • Annotation
  • Visual Controls
  • OCR
  • Free companion Apple Watch app can play your reading list offline while not connected to iPhone
  • Play recordings, like Zoom recordings. For example, if you save a Zoom meeting recording in Dropbox, you can then share it to Voice Dream Reader and play it back from there – including voice controls (speed, etc.).

Voice Dream Reader Limitations

Performance

Of course, no tool is perfect, and no reader is best for every situation. For example, when reading a data table, Voice Dream Reader will just represent the data as a block of text. Maybe that’s good enough for you. If not, perhaps the solution exists within the app itself, and perhaps it would be best to organize that data elsewhere. Either way, Voice Dream Reader tends to work well in the majority of circumstances. If there’s an issue with how best to use it, whether it’s a good fit for you, or what other apps might be best to supplement it, please reach out to us at the Free Bridges Helpdesk; we’re here to help you figure out how best to meet your needs and achieve your goals.

Cost

Voice Dream Reader is a paid app. It costs ten dollars ($10), but this is a one-time cost. You do not need to pay any additional fees for upgrades.

Platform

The Voice Dream Reader app is ONLY available on iOS platforms. This includes iPhones and iPads. However, Voice Dream Reader is not available on Android devices, and it is not available to use on a computer.

Other Free Accessible Reading Apps

NaturalReader

Dolphin EasyReader

BARD: Braille and Audio Reading Download

Bridges Can Help

For more information, including help in funding the hardware or software needed to access reading materials, please reach out to us at the Free Bridges Helpdesk.

Even if you just want to chat about the different options and experiment with them, we are happy to set up a phone call, Zoom meeting, or FaceTime meeting to work with you on any topic.

Whatever you decide, and however you go about it, we look forward to hearing from you. And, happy reading!

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Bridges Technical Assistance Center’s Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.

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Accessible Assistive Technology Resources Bridges Blog Educational Resources Employment Resources Independent Living Resources Information Resources Recreation Resources Series: March Madness, Reading Edition; March, 2023

Bookshare’s New App: Bookshare Reader

March Madness – Reading Edition!

March is National Reading Month, so the Bridges Technical Assistance Center’s Helpdesk is celebrating March Madness – Reading Edition! This month, we will be sharing reading-related resources all month long. Additionally, on Sunday, March 19, from 8-9 pm, we will host a Student Zoom Meeting featuring Accessible Reading Tools. We look forward to enjoying March Madness with you!

In this second installment of our “March Madness – Reading Edition!” series, we explore the new, free reading app from Bookshare: Bookshare Reader.

Bookshare Background

Bookshare is a service that provides accessible books to qualifying individuals. Bookshare provides a wide range of titles including textbooks, bestsellers, children’s books, career resources, and more. To find out more, check out our Bridges Blog post: Bookshare.

Accessing Bookshare Books

Once you have a Bookshare account, you can access books by either downloading or streaming them. When you download Bookshare titles, you may choose the file format in which you want to access the book using print, enlarged print, audio, and Braille. These file formats include (though not every format for every title): EPUB, DAISY, DAISY with images, BRF, Microsoft Word, DAISY with audio, and MP3.

About Bookshare Reader

Reading Bookshare Books

Like other reading apps, Bookshare Reader allows the user the ability to change the speaking rate and to change the voice itself. In addition, a reader can navigate Bookshare books by using headings coded into the book. However, the coding is not perfect, so navigation can, sometimes, be more problematic.

How Can I Use Bookshare Reader?

Bookshare Reader can be used in multiple ways. Using your Windows OS, MacOS, or Chrome laptop, you can run it through an internet browser on Bookshare (by choosing “Read Now” when you select a book). You can use the same method to stream books on your phone, or you can download and use the iOS Bookshare Reader app or the Android Bookshare Reader app. There is also a Bookshare Reader Skill on Alexa-enabled smart devices and speakers, and you can search for and read Bookshare books using this skill.  

Bookshare Reader is new and improving. It’s free, geared toward people with all print disabilities, and customizable by the consumer.

Why Should I Use Bookshare Reader?

If you’re wondering why yet another reading app has been created, Bookshare Reader has advantages that other options, including the commonly-used alternative, Voice Dream Reader, do not. For example, as long as one has a Bookshare account, it is entirely free. Further, with Bookshare Reader, the text is presented in such a way as to be more readable by your device itself, or by Bookshare’s own voices. Please note: if you use Bookshare Reader on your iOS phone, you must make sure that VoiceOver is off while the reader is speaking, or else the voices will clash. But at the same time, this makes it easier to read out loud by going line-by-line. In the end, Bookshare Reader provides an additional option to use, and individuals can choose which app to use and when to use it to meet their individual needs and comfort levels.

Try It and Help Make It Better

Most new software has hiccups, and that’s to be expected. While it is frustrating that one needs to turn off VoiceOver to use the Bookshare Reader app, it’s a problem that can be fixed.

One might ask why the problem exists in the first place. Well, even though Bookshare is focused on individuals with print disabilities, blind and low vision users are in the minority of Bookshare users. There are many more individuals with learning disabilities and typical vision who use Bookshare. Maybe that’s why the VoiceOver bug wasn’t fixed before release.  

But not to worry … we can help! Bookshare cannot improve its instructional materials or its content without feedback from its constituencies. So if you notice something that could be better, please reach out to us at the Free Bridges Helpdesk or to Bookshare directly; we never know how much better things can get unless we try.

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Bridges Technical Assistance Center’s Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.

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Accessible Assistive Technology Resources Bridges Blog Series: Jumping Into January 2023

Changes to AIRA’s On-Demand Visual Interpretation Services

Jumping Into January, Part 5

2022 is over, and it’s time to jump into 2023! Join us as we explore revamped and new resources to help you on your Transition journey – through school and beyond!

In this fifth installment of our “Jumping Into January” series, you address changes in the Aira visual interpretation services that so many blind/low vision individuals find useful.

About Aira

What is Aira?

Aira is a service where you can call an agent in real-time to assist you with tasks in which visual information might be helpful. Agents have undergone rigorous training and have been through various clearances and background checks so that you can feel confident that your information and privacy will be protected throughout all Aira calls.

How Do I Use Aira?

Using the camera on your phone, the agent can provide you with information about your environment or answer visual questions for you at your request.

How Can Aira Help Me in School or on the Job?

Aira has a number of great uses, including but certainly not limited to:

  • Being a reader for menus, books, important documents, and written signs in your surroundings
  • Providing assistance with navigating or getting information from inaccessible websites (we recommend downloading Team Viewer to your computer for this purpose)
  • Assistance with taking photos, formatting documents, and so much more!

Changes in Aira

Aira is a great service, but it is also a private business. As a private business, Aira must, at minimum, cover its costs, including labor, support staff, technology, and marketing.

Prior to 2023, Aira’s pricing model had not changed for five years. This was great for all involved, but it does tend to make the current price and service changes more intense for users.

Aira offers paid plans for subscribers, and it still offers free services to people who have never subscribed. In this post, we will refer to individuals with paid plans as “subscribers” and to individuals without paid plans as “non-subscribers.”

Free Minutes

Aira has curtailed several of its “Free minute” opportunities. There’s no real point of discussing offers that are no longer available, so we set forth, below, current opportunities to use Aira services at no cost.

  • Aira Access
    • Offers some level of free Aira service to both subscribers and non-subscribers
      • Example: Up to 30 minutes at Starbucks (in store, on the app, or online)
      • Includes certain other retails, software companies, airlines, banks, colleges, and more
      • Sometimes offered as a “pop-up” location for a special event
    • Locations
      • List of Aira Access partners as of March 2022
      • Find more on the Aira app
        • First, must download and install the Aira app (it’s free)
        • On the “Home” page, select “Apply a free Access offer”
        • Choose from the listed categories (currently “Promotions, Products, and Locations”
  • Task-specific free AIRA minutes
    • Demo: teaching a friend to use Aira; up to 10 minutes at a time
    • Job Seeker: up to 30 minutes every 24 hours for job-seeking tasks
  • Free minutes for anything
    • Non-subscribers: One call of up to five (5) minutes every 48 hours (two days)
    • Subscribers: One call of up to five (5) minutes every 12 hours
  • Getting Started with Aira
    • One-time, up to sixty minutes within a seven-day period

Paid Plans

NEW features

  • Sharing Minutes: Under this new pricing model, subscribers may now share minutes with others. Sharing is not required, but it is available on all but the lowest plan.
  • Rollover Minutes: No. Aira subscribers were permitted to apply unused minutes from one month to use in the next month (rollover). However, Aira no longer offers rollover minutes. Any minutes that are left unused at the end of a month go away forever.

Pricing Plans

  • Aira’s new pricing plan has many components. There are three plan types (Silver, Gold, and Platinum), and there are three levels (1, 2, and 3) for each plan type.
  • As one moves up (Silver 1 to Silver 2 AND Silver 3 to Gold 1), the number of minutes provided and the prices for each plan increase.
  • Plan types offer different levels of sharing minutes:
    • Silver 1: Sharing not permitted
    • Silver 2 and 3: Up to two (2) total members may share a plan
    • Gold (all 3 levels): Up to three (3) total members may share a plan
    • Platinum (all 3 levels): Up to five (5) total members may share a plan
  • Price range:
    • Silver, Level 1: 15 minutes for $65
    • Platinum, Level 3: 800 minutes for $2,900
  • Purchased minutes
    • These are available for purchase anytime you find that you need additional minutes.
    • Like all Aira minutes, these may not be rolled over for use in future months.
    • Prices:
      • 25 minutes are $100.00
      • 50 minutes are $190.00
      • 100 minutes are $365.00  

Find more details at Aira’s 2023 Plans and Prices website.

Aira Offset/Affordable Personal Plan

Aira now offers an “Affordable Personal Plan,” also called the “Aira Offset.”

  • This plan provides individuals a discount from the price plan rate. The discount is 60% off of the retail price for each plan.
  • This is only available to individuals; schools, agencies, and employers are not eligible for this discount.
  • From Aira: “Our goal is to reduce the cost of our service for individual people, not enterprises. We are not asking for any proof nor do we require any documentation. Aira will grant the offset based on your request alone. Simply by contacting Customer Care and answering several questions, you will be eligible.”
  • This discount only applies to monthly plans; the additional purchased minutes are not discounted.
  • Discounted price range for individuals:
    • Silver, Level 1: 15 minutes for $26
    • Platinum, Level 3: 800 minutes for $1,160

Find more details on Aira’s 2023 Plans and Prices for Individuals web page.

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Bridges Technical Assistance Center’s Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.

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Accessible Assistive Technology Resources Bridges Blog Educational Resources Series: Jumping Into January 2023

Technology and Tools Available for Free at APH!

Jumping Into January, Part 3

2022 is over, and it’s time to jump into 2023! Join us as we explore revamped and new resources to help you on your Transition journey – through school and beyond!

  • January 3: The Bridges Helpdesk Returns and is Growing!
  • January 10: JAWS Screen Reading Software Offers Even More in 2023!
  • January 17: Resources from the Maryland Library for the Blind!
  • January 24: Technology and Tools Available for Free at APH!
  • January 31: Changes to AIRA’s On-Demand Visual Interpretation Services

In this third installment of our “Jumping Into January” series, we highlight some of the great resources available from the Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)!

What makes these things free?

These materials are free to your school district through Federal Quota funds. Federal Quota is a program to which Congress makes an annual allocation of funds to support blind and low vision students. These funds are distributed through each state, and each state has one or more officials in charge of purchasing materials for eligible students.

The Federal Quota program is great, but it is limited. Quota funds may only be spent at the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). Quota funds are also somewhat limited, especially given the expenses of textbooks, tools, and technology available these days.

Quota funds are limited, but they are still quite useful. They can be a helpful means of encouraging school officials, including regular education teachers, to be more open to incorporating accessible materials in their classrooms. Also, for items that are more specific to one grade level, school districts can borrow materials from each other or from the state.

Am I limited to Federal Quota funds?

No. APH accepts non-Quota funds, and anyone can self-pay for APH items. The Federal Quota program is an extra source of funding for blind/low vision students.

The key to obtaining tools or technology (from anywhere) is to demonstrate your need for these items. This need could be curriculum-related (sighted students have pictures, you deserve high-quality tactile graphics), materials to help build spatial concepts using tactile materials, and access-related (accessible textbooks and accessible manipulatives). Additionally, APH offers disability-related tools including:

Please note that these materials are NOT limited to use at school. In fact, it may be entirely appropriate to have some materials, like a braille embosser, at one’s home. The key is to identify what you need, why you need it, and then advocate effectively for it.

Reach out to us at the Bridges Helpdesk anytime, and we’ll be happy to help you identify tools that you need for access and success. We’re also eager to help you make a plan to request and, if needed, advocate for these vital materials.

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.