[Nfbf-l] the Narrator

[Patricia A. Lipovsky]

FYI

Best Buy is going to be selling a new HD Radio--called the Narrator--starting in July. The radio, which was manufactured with the blind in mind, will be selling for $99. If you want the added two year protection plan, you will need to pay an extra $14.99.
 
"With The Narrator coming to market, people with visual disabilities will have a radio that they can program and tune themselves," said Dave Noble, chairman of government relations for IAAIS.

For years, blind people have had to pay a lot of money for radios with single purpose receivers that provided low audio quality.  Now, the Narrator, a table top receiver, speaks commands as soon as a blind or visually impaired person turns it on. However, this feature can be turned off so that a sighted person can use the radio silently as well. This makes the radio have universal appeal for everyone and will also help to keep the price lower.  With speech turned on, the radio will announce the artist and song, and will show and announce visual images as well. The radio is also equipped with large buttons with raised lettering. 

Another great feature is that the radio comes with a PDF Quick Start Guide, along with a user manual. In addition, you can get the warranty information
as a PDF document as well. All of these documents can be downloaded from the Best Buy website and have been verified to be accessible with screen readers.


The radio was created with input from the International Association of Audio Information Services, the group that represents Radio Reading Services.  The
radio manufacturer chose to partner with the IAAIS to help identify and solve issues for the everyday technology needs of people with visual disabilities.


The Narrator will be promoted on air by iBiquity and its alliance member stations. It will be marketed under the Best Buy Insignia brand. 

While the visually impaired community has had other radio companies create accessible products (C. Crane comes to mind), it's fantastic to see that a very large electronics company like Best Buy is taking an interest in accessible products and teaming up with organizations who can help them design the radio from the ground up.  It's also incredibly beneficial that they created a product that is equally usable for both the sighted and visually impaired--an
important element in keeping the cost as low as possible.  Hopefully, others will follow the lead of companies like Best Buy and Apple and begin building accessibility into their products that can serve everyone equally. 

Sources: 
http://radioworld.com/article/best-buy-takes-pre-orders-for-'the-narrator'-/213556 
http://www.dealerscope.com/article/best-buy-debuts-talking-hd-radio/1

And remember....
If you lack the courage to  start, you have already finished. 

And remember....
If you lack the courage to  start, you have already finished.