Anyone use an e-reader to enlarge text for a VI DC?

[cafco]

My DS has nystagmus as well as general acuity problems and a pronounced astigmatism. As he is getting older the text in books is obviously getting smaller. His QTVI has said that his text size should be font 18 or above. We are considering buying an e-reader (haven't really researched which one but possibly iPad so we can use it for other things too) so that we can increase the text size.

Has anyone got any experience / advice regarding this?

TIA

[MeanMom]

Hiya

Don't have personal experience yet but we have been advised to do same and are off out later to have a 'play' in the shop!

I do know an adult (online not RL ) who has sight problems and uses an iPad which they say has changed their life :) They recommended getting the cover that opens up like a book so it feels like you are reading a book (IYSWIM) and also you can get one with a light - this wouldn't hel with my DD problem but may with your DS?

Will try and report back later results of today's research/shopping trip

[eggandcress]

We have been looking at these for my DD who has VI and we have decided on a kindle as it is lighter for her to hold and the screen has a non-reflective glass. She uses size 20 font or above.

[cafco]

Hi egg, what age is your DC? My DS is in Y2 & some of his school books are beginning to have text that is too small or not a clear font etc. I borrowed my sister's kindle yesterday & he certainly liked the clear & larger text (he was using the 2nd largest font) but I think if I am going to spend that amount of money I might as well go the whole hog and get a tablet that we can use for lots of other things too. He is very sensitive to light so I don't think he is likely to be reading in bright light outside but you are right, the iPad is certainly heavier than I thought it would be.

Thanks for the advice / opinions both of you

[eggandcress]

Hi cafco, my DD is age 9 in year 5. She has really started to struggle at school now, particularly with tests. She finds it really difficult to scan and skim text so literacy is very hard for her. The school gets her books from the RNIB library which are great, they are in large font and they have loads of titles and they are so quick at sending books when she wants them. She started getting these from Year 3. This is really worth looking into as well as the e-reader.
My DD is also sensitive to light but she can't stand any kind of reflection we spend half our lives sitting with the curtains partially closed like trolls!

Let me know if you have any other thoughts as my DD is a bit older than your DS so we may have done stuff that could help.

[sashh]

Not for a child but my kindle means i don't need reading glasses. I am a big kindle fan but one thing to look at is the e-ink - there is no background light which for me means I can read in bright sunlight, but your child may prefer a back light.

My dyslexic ex housemate discovered reading on his DS (i think it was a DS - hand held gaming thing you open as a book)