Vision loss can definitely take the joy out of reading. Enlarging text, might make reading possible — but not necessarily easy, particularly when reading books.

Moving from visual reading to listening, is a worthwhile endeavor. For some, adjusting to the audiobook experience, takes time. It requires a new kind of focus. Initially, for some people, it can be like a sleeping pill. Stick with it. In the relatively short term, you will find it can be every bit as good as the reading you feared was lost forever. Remember, reading a good book is not the act of seeing the words with your eyes — it is really about getting immersed in the story, the characters, the subject matter. Don’t get caught up in the change. Get caught up in the content. If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again.

An excellent way to get started is to sign up for the National Library Service Talking Books Program, a free audiobook service for people with vision loss and other reading disabilities. Eligible subscribers can access audible books and magazines through the BARD Mobile app for Apple, Android and Alexa devices. Get BARD app on the App Store and on Google Play.

NLS also loans digital book players to patrons who need devices, and delivers audio content on digital cartridges by mail, free of cost. 

For information call 888.NLS.READ (888.657.7323) and follow prompts to get an application or find the library in your area that administers the Talking Books Program. Reading disability must be certified by a doctor, nurse, optician, social worker, or a librarian on the application. It is not necessary to be legally blind to qualify. 

Apply for National Library Services

Phone: 888.657.7323

Online: www.loc.gov/nls/

Post originally published Mar 2, 2017 and most recent update Aug 15, 2025