How and Why to Tell Visually Impaired People About Audio And..Yes, Even Video Content Here on Associated Content

Recently, I shared a video piece by Donna Porter with a blind friend of mine. I used my friend's computer and then clicked on Donna's article so the page view credit would work. I don't really know how much each click counts but I figured I'd do my part, however tiny.

Anyway, we listened to Donna's videos on cooking chicken noodle soup right here:
www.associatedcontent.com/video/18021/homemade_chicken_noodle_soup.html

If you are wondering how a video could be of interest to a blind or visually-impaired person, Donna's directions were so clear that my friend had no trouble understanding how to cook chicken noodle soup. Yes, it helps to see the ingredients and the amounts used but it was fine, anyway. Also, my friend was able to focus on Donna's voice, one he found pleasant (Donna, if you are reading this, he is married and maybe you are too, for all I know). Anyway, I just wanted to be clear that the vocal quality of Donna's voice was a key factor in enjoying the video. The usefulness of the video was even more important.

Here is another piece, this time by Linda Corby, that was enjoyed by my friend: www.associatedcontent.com/audio/1985/men.html
This one focuses on men's snoring habits. My friend was laughing so hard, even though he is male. I think this is a wonderful testament to Linda's piece, getting a guy to laugh at himself! Yes, my friend snores, too, although he is in denial. My husband and I have seen and heard him do so, once in a hospital waiting room (but that is another story). Also, the librarian was laughing out loud, too, and insisted I send him a link. I did.

I'll have a list of other audio pieces at the end of this article. But I really wanted to focus on the fact that there are strong and informative and humorous audio pieces here on Associated Content. They aren't necessarily being heard by blind or visually-impaired people. I think they should be. Don't you?

Since I"m relatively new here, I'd like people to send me mail here (or, if you prefer, just clog the comment field instead) and share any that you think are worth compiling. I'd like to share a list with librarians at blind schools and other places in need of this material. I'm also going to be sharing it with a relative in a nursing home. The library there isn't great. Audio material is in demand. My relative demands that I bring more audiobooks and material to her all the time.

Just off the top of my head, here are my thoughts about promoting AC material to this niche market:

1. Think of anyone you know personally who could use this information.
In my case that involves my blind friend and two older relatives. I'm also letting librarians at blind schools and nursing homes know about the material here, with links. They can adapt the links to special keyboards for the blind or use whatever other technology would allow access. Before leaving my friend's home, she simply took down the information on a tape recorder, speaking out the words and letters slowly, " www.associatedcontent...." etc. She has a special transcriber and writing device, too, and an adapted computer.

2. Keep lists of audio content here that could be useful or informative or just plain fun for someone to hear.

I've found plenty. Here is another by Donna, this time one on cleaning cast iron pans:

www.associatedcontent.com/video/24518/cleaning_cast_iron_pans_clean_cast.html

Again, her instructions are so clear that vision isn't necessary to understand it. I'm guessing Donna did this on purpose but I haven't had time to contact her psycically - or any other way - to find out if that is true. In any case, by accident or intention, this is a great video for a blind person. It got kudos from my friend.

3. Share this information with blind and visually-impaired people and see what they think. Just for the record, my friend thought both Linda and Donna sounded like some "wonderful readers" - and then he asked me what they looked like. However, before the request for a visual description, he noted that both women had pleasant voices, which brings me to my next point.....

4. Try to focus on the vocal quality and sound of the pieces you find as well as the rest of the information

If an audio or video piece is timely and cutting edge, an unpleasant voice may not matter. Otherwise, I'd steer clear of pieces where people say "uh...well...um" or have annoying voices. I'm not listing those pieces here. Someone else can take that topic and run with it.

5. Find the widest audience possible within that niche market.

In short, spread the word. Tell employees and librarians at blind schools about the audio and video content at AC. It'll not only increase page hits but make people aware of information they might not otherwise access. By the way, not all organizations for the blind have budgets large enough to get enough autio books or other material. So you'd be helping them expand their collection.

5. Even though most writers have to work hard enough to produce ONE version of an article, think about doing an audio and written version, just to compare and contrast reactions to it. Remember, some people who can see perfectly fine still prefer audio versions of material.

Linda Corby did an audio and regular version of these pieces:
Here is the regular version:
www.associatedcontent.com/article/574037/article_internet_stalker.html

Here is the audio version:
www.associatedcontent.com/audio/2137/internet_article_stalker.html

See what you think. Anyway, those are my latest thoughts on networking and promoting the content here on AC, whether it is yours or someone else's work.