Keeping Reading Alive

When standard print stops working for your level of vision, it doesn’t mean you have to give up reading. It just means it’s time to find new ways to bring words back into focus — in a way that works for you.

Try large print books — they’re easy on the eyes and available at most libraries and bookstores. The pages may look a little different, but the stories are every bit as rich.

Or, if you prefer to just sit back and listen, audiobooks are wonderful. You can find them from places like Audible, or — if you like free options — from the National Library Service.

If you’d rather keep reading in print, a Low Vision specialist may be able to help you find just the right magnifier or device to make that possible.

And for staying up on the news, radio reading services broadcast newspapers and magazines read aloud by real people — it’s like having a friend reading to you.

There’s also NFB Newsline — a free service that lets you listen to most major and local papers right on your phone or computer.

Good task lighting can make a world of difference. A simple lamp aimed right at what you’re reading (and not in your eyes) can bring print back to life.

And don’t forget tablets and e-readers — they let you make the print as big and bold as you like, all with a swipe of your finger.

The point is, reading doesn’t have to stop. The way you read might change — but the joy of getting lost in a good story, keeping up with the world, or flipping through your favorite magazine… that’s still yours to keep.

It just takes finding the tools that work for you. And once you do — that door to reading opens right back up.