[kat81]

My mom's husband got talked into buying an iPod Touch buy an Apple Store salesperson. If I was there, I would have punched the Apple guy for being a dick because now I'm the one who has to figure this out.
My stepfather is blind. Not 100% blind, he has limited vision, but not much (google macular degeneration, the condition he has which is making him lose his sight).
So think about it. A blind person got the one iPod model without physical buttons. Not a smart idea. At least with a regular iPod, he could feel the buttons and navigate through things a bit easier. But with this Touch, he has to somehow see things to click on them.
He basically will be using the Touch mainly for music and audiobooks. Yeah, a waste of a Touch, but oh well. Apparently, the Apple Store clerk actually told him he could easily use the Touch without seeing, and that the Touch is "only good for music, since it doesn't do much else." Yeah, the Apple guy was lying.

Anyway, I was handed the Touch and asked to make it easier to use. Either change the interface, make it have sound responses, voice-control... something to make it easier for him to use.

I have never touched an iPod, so I have no idea what the hell to do or where to start. To make things harder, I have a Mac, but he has a PC - so I'll have to first work on it with my Mac, then go show him how to link it up to his PC.

So, I'm just wondering if anyone out there can help me out with this. I have no idea what to do, and personally I would think it to be easier to convince him to take back the Touch and get a Classic.

[rjenkinson]

Just return it to the store.

[lorenkjr]

I agree, it seems like something he's likely not to like at all. And I am sorry to hear of his problem. It's a really tough thing when you can not see. I would just the same drop apple a note on this, as this does not sound like a salesperson Apple would want to have representing them. At some point the Touch will be good for a lot of things but, that time has not come yet.

[kat81]

Well, the problem is he doesn't want to return it. He's had it for a month now, and has never touched it. He wants me to show him how to use it, but I can't think of any way to easily do that. He can see the screen of the Touch when using one of his various magnifying devices, but otherwise he can't see well enough to even know which side he's looking at.
I tried over and over to tell him to return it, but he insists that the Apple guy showed him how to use it. He is also the kind of person who likes going out to buy new toys, and this is just another flashy toy he can have and show off.

As of now, I have until Tuesday night to figure out how to make this Touch semi-usable to him (he's going out of town then, and wants the Touch for his trip).

Is there no programs/apps/hacks I can use to make the Touch voice-activated and add sounds to the interface?

[Cadaver]

Originally Posted by kat81 

Is there no programs/apps/hacks I can use to make the Touch voice-activated and add sounds to the interface?

No.

I think whoever sold him the Touch at the Apple store didn't fully understand his special needs (or simply lied to make a sale).

[stuffedmonkey]

My grandmother had macular degeneration, so I know a little bit about it. Whoever sold him the iPod was a complete tool. He should return it and get a mini or regular iPod. How was he planning on using it - for music (could be set to random so perhaps a shuffle) or audiobooks?