Welcome to ABLE Assist!

ABLE Assist is one of the most accessibility-focused websites for blind and low-vision users. It has been developed through extensive design, testing, and refinement by individuals familiar with screen readers, braille displays, DAISY players, Victor Reader devices, low-vision accessibility, and other accessible reading technologies. For those who daily rely on assistive technology, ABLE Assist is designed not only to meet accessibility standards but to provide a practical, user-friendly experience to support independent access to information across a wide range of devices and accessibility tools.

This website publishes and shares religious and educational content to support the worldwide work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It seeks to enhance the accessibility of selected materials on jw.org for blind and Low Vision individuals of all ages and soon in multiple languages.

To make this site even more accessible, ABLE Assist is still under development. Some sections, such as Enjoy Life Forever!, are not yet available. However, that publication will soon be added with enhanced accessibility features.

ABLE Assist is designed to work across a range of devices. While it is still under development, if you experience any issues, please remove the page from your home screen, visit the website ABLEAssist.org on any browser such as safari, and then add it homepage again. This method provides the latest update. We would appreciate if you could report any bugs by email at info@ABLEAssist.org or click 'contact us' on the main menu and fillout the form, please include device model where possible, so the issue can be resolved.

ABLE Assist provides accessibility-focused tools that help users navigate independently, study more easily, and engage with spiritual content in formats that work smoothly with assistive technologies such as screen readers like, VoiceOver, Talkback, JAWS, NVDA, Fusion.

The site works by taking publicly available material and presenting it in simplified, structured, and accessible formats. Content is organised with clear headings, logical reading order, consistent navigation, and accessible controls, allowing users to move efficiently using screen readers, braille displays, keyboards, touch gestures, or voice commands.

ABLE Assist is a personal initiative created to support individuals who are blind, DeafBlind, have low vision, or benefit from alternative ways of reading and listening. The platform offers free access to materials designed for a wide range of needs, including people who are partially sighted or living with conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism, dementia, or other neurodiverse challenges. While it supports the use of jw.org content, it is not an official website of JW.org or the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.

Key features include:

• Screen reader optimisation for VoiceOver, JAWS, NVDA, TalkBack, and ZoomText
• Full keyboard navigation and braille display support
• Clear page structure with labelled sections and logical reading order
• High-contrast themes, large text, and custom colour settings for improved readability
• Accessible audio integrated directly into study material, including spoken Bible verses and reference material
• Bible verses, citations, quotations, references, and songs, accessible directly within the page
• Audio playback designed for independent study and review
• Videos with Audio Description and accessible transcripts
• Support for braille displays and digital talking book devices
• Mobile, tablet, and desktop compatibility

The Daily Text and Bible Reading section provides a structured one-year Bible reading program which automatically updates each day. Bible readings, Daily Text comments, scripture references, and audio are presented in an accessible format, making it easy to follow the program and maintain a regular Bible reading routine without needing to manually track progress.

The Meeting Preparation section provides accessible Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook and Watchtower Study material designed for independent study and review. Bible verses, quotations, references, and supporting material including videos with Audio Description can be accessed directly within the page, eliminating the need to navigate between multiple sources. Integrated audio allows users to listen to Bible verses, study material, and references, while clear headings, logical navigation, and keyboard accessibility make it easy to move through the content efficiently using screen readers, braille displays, or other assistive technology.

Enjoy Life Forever! section includes accessible features. To aid both blind students and blind teachers, a soft bell tone is heard as an audio cue to indicate appropriate places to pause for discussion and review. Scripture citations are included from the New World Translation, and video content includes audio description to provide a fully accessible format designed to support independent learning and assist those who are blind or have low vision.

Additional resources include accessible songs and lyrics for learning and participation, as well as step-by-step tutorials for using assistive technologies such as the NLS Talking Book Player, VoiceOver, and the JW.org Skill on Alexa.

Personal custom settings, such as display preferences, text size and color settings are saved to make future visits easier and more consistent. Customizable settings, such as enlarged text, bold text, uppercase text, display preferences, and colour themes are saved for future visits. Users can choose from preset themes including Light Mode, Dark Mode, Low Vision 1 (Black, White and Yellow), Low Vision 2 (Navy and White), Low Vision 3 (Black and High-Contrast Cyan), Low Vision 4 (Blue and Red), Low Vision 5 (Yellow and Black), Dyslexia 1 (Cream), Dyslexia 2 (Gray), and Photophobia (Very Low Glare), or can create own custom colour combination. These settings are designed to improve readability and provide a more comfortable experience based on individual eyesight and reading preferences.

ABLE content for NLS cartridges, Victor Reader SD cards, and USB thumb drives content is downloaded from JW.org and reorganised into a specialised folder structure designed specifically for NLS Digital Talking Book Players and handheld Victor Reader devices. This structure supports advanced navigation features such as search, bookmarks, chapter navigation, file navigation, and efficient browsing of large libraries. For compatibility with these devices, audio files are specially prepared using device-compatible formatting and optimised encoding settings to help ensure dependable operation, efficient storage, clear audio quality, and reliable access to search, bookmarking, playback, and navigation features throughout the entire library. For Victor Reader users, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures is included in DAISY Talking Book format, allowing full DAISY navigation by Bible book, chapter, and verse. The DAISY files are supplied in the correct unzipped format required by Victor Reader devices and include the necessary indexing information that enables library recognition, reading position memory, bookmarks, DAISY navigation, and efficient library management. Additional audio publications are organised into separate publication folders designed to work seamlessly with the Victor Reader library system. Each ABLE cartridge, Victor Reader SD card, and USB drive comes preloaded with more than 200 hours of audio content, including the complete New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, Bible-based books and brochures, Bible dramas, feature films with Audio Description, and music with audio-described lyrics.

The website is continually being improved to provide a smoother and more accessible experience across devices with new help videos in the making.

If you would like to request a feature, need help using ABLE Assist, or wish to share feedback, please email info@ableassist.org or click 'contact us' on the main menu and fillout the form. Your input helps improve accessibility for everyone.