Kim and Joe Kuster have lived with visual impairments for most of their lives—an experience they say has drawn them closer to the Lord.
The Kusters recently discovered a new resource to assist with their daily devotions: an audio version of the Today devotional produced by Back to God Ministries International.
Many people are familiar with the print version of Today, but BTGMI also makes the daily devotional available through smartphone apps, audio podcasts, RSS feed, or an email version that can be read aloud using a screen reader.
It also offers an audio cassette, which is mailed to the homes of people who request it.
Kim is able to read the large print Today but, until recently, the only way Joe was able to enjoy the devotional was by listening to a cassette recording. But the cassette version is a bit cumbersome for Kim and Joe’s active lifestyle, which includes running a ministry for people with visual impairment (see news story), so they were happy to learn about the options available through newer technology.
They opted for the daily app that comes right to their smartphones equipped with voiceover capability.
For someone like 94-year-old Julia Koeman, who doesn’t have a computer or smartphone, the cassette version works well. Julia has read Today at mealtimes for most of her life. When she could no longer read the large print version, she was thankful to learn about Today on cassette.
Rev. Mark Stephenson, director of the CRC’s Disability Concerns ministry, is grateful to see more and easier-to-use resources available to people with visual impairments.
“In addition to the Today audio options, the CRC offers cassette versions of The Banner and Breaking Barriers (the quarterly publication produced by Disability Concerns)", Stephenson said. “Now The Banner and Breaking Barriers are also available online, giving audio access to those who have a screen reader.”
Go to ThisIsToday.net or email info@BackToGod.net to find out about various audio versions available. And check out the Disability Concerns website crcna.org/disability for a list of several church-related resources available for people with visual impairments.
