National Library Service's BARD iOS App

By Matthew Bullis

Near the same time iOS7 was released, the National Library Service released its talking book reading app--BARD--for the line of i-devices. BARD stands for Braille and Audio Reading Download. Prior to this application’s release, users of the digital talking book program had to order cartridges through the mail, or download desired books from the BARD site to thumb drives for use in the player. Now it is possible (once you sign up for an account) to access content solely through the iPhone. Everything provided through this interface is free, and the app is well-designed. Because of the population it serves, which is U.S. visually-impaired residents, there is an extensive help file which is always accessible from within the app. It’s recommended that users read this through as they may learn tips and tricks for a better experience. More talking books are being added daily, both new titles, as well as older conversions from cassettes. These books are unique to the blind population, as many of the narrators read exclusively for the talking book program. Since contracted braille files (instead of "letter-for-letter" uncontracted braille) are also part of the collection, users with a connectable braille display can enjoy these titles as well. VoiceOver cannot read contracted braille, so users without a display will be limited to the talking books. This first version is quite robust and the NLS team are committed to making sure that problems are fixed, and that updates are forthcoming.

Which VoiceOver Tutorial Should You Use to Get Started?

By Matthew Bullis

At this writing, there are three ways you can learn about how to use VoiceOver on the I device of your choice. Apple has a built-in practice gesture area, where you can make a gesture and find out what it’s supposed to do. This also works if you’ve paired a braille display and need to know what combinations of keys do. Then came VOStarter at the end of 2012. This app presented a menu of choices where you could either progress through the tutorial, learning about different gestures, or practice the ones you’re not too sure of. Now LookTel, who released a great money identifier and a bar code scanner/item identifier, releases VOTutorial, which is a screen by screen test with long descriptions of how to perform needed gestures. It even includes two games for gesture practice, basketball and crack the safe. With all of these app choices, and with only one of them, VOStarter, costing a dollar, you’d do well to use all three applications. Each one has something that none of the others do. Apple’s practice screen lets you find out a gesture the other way round, after you make it, and the games are enjoyable for more than one play inside of VOTutorial, and VOStarter has screens on more advanced gestures that VOTutorial doesn’t cover. With all three applications, there are multiple ways to absorb the material and the learning curve of VoiceOver itself.