Sight problems solved with Kindle app

The Royal National Institute of Blind People rejoices

Amazon has developed an app that will allow millions of blind and partially sighted people to read Kindle books.

The Bookseller reports

The app works with the in-built magnification and speech functions of iPhones, iPads and some other Apple devices, while also creating an electronic Braille display.

Amazon consulted with blind and partially sighted people in the UK to help develop the app, which has previously been impossible due to compatibility issues with Apple's own accessibility features.
Fazilet Hadi, the director of inclusivity at the RNIB, said: "This fantastic breakthrough from Amazon means that people with sight loss can now read the 1.5m titles in the Kindle store. RNIB helped Amazon by getting feedback from blind and partially sighted people who tested early versions of the app.

"It is important that this level of accessibility is now replicated across all of the apps and devices in the Amazon Kindle range. We urge Amazon and all other developers and manufacturers in the e-book industry, to continue their work in making e-books, devices and apps usable by everybody."