A severe arm injury can leave you with a lot of time on your hands, while simultaneously limiting your recreational options. For me, two-handed video games were out, at least until I had the time and patience to research and learn to use accessible gaming controllers. At the same time, physical therapy soaked up any athletic energy I might have had for sports and such. Writing, my profession and passion, was a non-starter at first – on a computer, for obvious reasons, but also longhand, as my injured right hand is (or was) also my dominant one. Even with a world of streaming services, I also quickly discovered new (personal) cognitive limits for streaming TV or movies, and screen time in general.
Accessible Recreation: Ready Reader One
If it seems like I’m offering short shrift to various options that could benefit from adaptive devices, like the vast range of assistive controllers for playing video games, I am. Because over the course of this series, we’ve ventured from more pressing and universal problems toward the realm of subjective priorities and individual choices. Someone else may be more interested in adapting to another activity mentioned above or something else entirely. But for me, reading was something both accessible to start with and easier to adapt further to my needs.
Thankfully, reading has always been one of my primary forms of entertainment, distraction, and intellectual stimulation; books have long served as a refuge for me during emotionally stormy times in particular. Fortunately, too, I had already largely made the shift away from physical books with paper pages and toward e-readers with electronic paper. Especially after my accident, my most portable e-reader became an essential accessory, great for (among other things) waiting rooms, which I visited up to a dozen times a week in the early months after my injury.
Still, even with e-readers of different sizes and for different situations, I found aspects of one-handed reading to be tricky — like holding up a device for long periods, or settling into comfortable positions. Being unable to lie down or even lean on one side of my body added further frustration, limiting options for periodic rearrangement. With underlying pain, plus surface hypersensitivity due to sensory nerve damage, one-handedness turned out to be only part of the problem.
Third Parties Augment Existing E-Readers
Thus, early on in my post-injury era, I hit the books, seeking new ways to further optimize my e-ink devices and e-reading experience. I already had some add-ons that were incidentally useful in my physical condition. but I went further, researching and testing a range of assistive accessories including straps, cases, stands, remotes and more.
I found an impressive breadth and depth of options out there, though to my surprise: virtually none of them were made by the same creators who were building e-reading devices. These weren’t intentional extensions developed as part of the e-bookmaking brands. Third parties were stepping up and filling in missing pieces. Below, we’ll explore peripherals and add-ons that can improve your e-reading experience. What works will depend not only on your e-paper device or physical (dis)abilities, but also on how, where, and even when you enjoy curling up and reading a(n e)book.
Best in Class(es): E-readers Made E-asy
But before we dive deeper: in the grand tradition of tech industry device reviews, I’m going to offer up a TL;DR with a simplified set of options. Stick around if you want to better understand e-reader-related adaptive design issues, such as why buttons are important for accessibility and how nerve damage can impact capacitive touch screen usability. But if you’re looking to keep things short and sweet, you can skip the details in favor of this straightforward summary of solid options:
Best All-Purpose: Nook GlowLight 4
Accessible interface with ambidextrous physical buttons. Compact size. Affordable price (especially if refurbished). Straightforward usability. Built-in bookstore (B&N) but also upload-friendly. Add a simple strap directly to the device or slot it into a case with a back strap.
Best Ultra-Portable: Boox Palma
Phone-sized device fits easily in one hand or into a pocket. More expensive. Supports e-book uploading but also reading via apps. Full Android features yield more flexibility as well as complexity. Add a simple rubber case and sticky back strap.
Best Big Screen: Nook GlowLight 4 Plus
Larger screen for hands-free reading. Great for at-home use. Sized to stand up while you sit or lie back. Ideal for paging through books with a remote control. Syncs with other Nooks. Affordable used options. Add a separate stand and remote control page turner.
Paper Thin: Dismal Tech for Analog Readers
Before the rise of e-ink readers, as you may yet recall, there were paper books. We’ll start there and (briefly) examine products designed for reading those one-handed — before circling back to the main topic of e-readers and accessories that help make them more accessible.
By the time of my accident, I had already long been something of an evangelist for e-readers, and was fairly familiar with the tech. Nonetheless, I wanted to see be thorough in my research, so I tried shopping for assistive tools for reading paper books.
What I found was highly discouraging. There are reading stands, but these are primarily made to hold a book open to a particular spread, like a recipe you want to refer to in real time – turning pages on them is cumbersome. There are mechanical page turners, as I discovered, but the few I found are surprisingly expensive and have terrible reviews.
There are wearable page holders that you slot onto your thumb, but they don’t seem useful for one-handed reading – in fact, one of these widgets I saw being advertised for single-handed reading was, to my amusement, inexplicably accompanied by a demonstration video featuring a reader using both of their hands to actually turn pages. Like so-called reading stands, these wearables seem (at best) useful for holding a bound volume open to a pair of facing sheets, not actually reading a book. On the plus slide, this brief foray into analog solutions confirmed for me that e-reading devices are the way to go.
E-readers Beat Paper Books (Back) to Pulp
E-readers have a wide array of advantages for reading in general and one-handed reading in particular. Their high-contrast e-ink displays mimic print on a page far better than conventional screens, making them easy to read in bright daylight. Front-lit screens on e-readers, illuminated by LEDs around the periphery, also allow you to read better in the dark, without the eye strain caused by LCD screen backlighting; moreover, “night modes” (available on all of the devices I own and recommend) shift the color of e-screen lighting from between daytime and evening, to help with sleep hygiene and staving off insomnia.
Because e-ink displays resolve text into static physical states, power is only consumed when you “turn” a digital page (requiring a refresh); thanks in part to that energy savings, most e-readers can last for days, weeks, or even months on a single charge. E-book files are small, too, so you can store an entire virtual library on your device, traveling light with a device that rarely requires charging. As for people who haven’t tried an e-reader but are worried that it won’t “feel” the same – well, all I can say is that I was in that camp, too, and became a convert virtually overnight. I remain an e-paper super fan, but I now also have a more nuanced understanding of different advantages and disadvantages of various devices, informed by recent experience. So before getting too far into specific designs, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular e-reader makers with an eye toward accessibility.
E-cosystems: Keeping the Right Company
My first e-reader was a Nook, purchased over a decade ago from Barnes & Noble. I wanted to be able to buy a wide range of e-books from an integrated storefront, but I was wary of a “walled garden” designed to keep users captive to a specific virtual ecosystem. Amazon’s de facto monopoly and clear inclinations to trap users in their Kindle ecosystem as much as possible caused me to strike their devices from my list – and my fears proved to be well-founded. I keep seeing stories about Amazon ramping up intentional restrictions.
Maladaptive Designs: Touchscreens Alone Aren’t Assistive
Aside from e-book ecosystem concerns, Kindles as e-reading devices continue to have other drawbacks, too, particularly from an accessible design standpoint. At a glance, their lineup of devices seems to cover all the bases – color, speed, portability, and reading + writing – but these all share at least one critical shortcoming. Starting a few years back, Amazon began streamlining their devices, in part by phasing out physical buttons on their e-readers entirely in favor of capacitive screen controls – It’s been reported that this was a cost-saving move, but it doesn’t really matter why they did it. B&N has touch screens on their Nooks as well – however, all of their e-readers continue to also have buttons on (not just one but) both sides of their screens; their physical button options thus work equally when a Nook is held in either hand.
Inclusive Interfaces: Physical Buttons Expand Options
Buttons are broadly helpful for one-handed users, but they also address a more niche issue specific to people with nerve injuries in particular. Starting with the big picture first: consider the Nook GlowLight 4, B&N’s current primary model of e-ink reader.
To read an e-book on it one-handed, I generally slide the fingers of my left hand into a strap on the back of the device (or its case), while holding back my thumb to press the left-side page-turning buttons. To adjust for comfort and to avoid cramps, sometimes I slide my hand farther through the strap, then reach the tips of my fingers back up around the far side of the e-reader to press down on the right-side pair of buttons instead. The buttons sit close to the edges (and provide tactile feedback), whereas trying to reach and touch the screen is more onerous and failure-prone.
In short: with buttons on both sides, right up against the edges, the Nook GL4 is great for one-handed reading either way I hold it. And of course all of this is reversible as well for someone using their right hand rather than their left. There are other factors (such as device sizes, reading positions, and so on) that may make buttons more or less important to different functionally one-handed users. But, setting general user-friendliness aside, there is another issue weighing in favor of buttons – one more specific to people (like myself) with peripheral neuropathy.
Unfit to Fingerprint: When Capacitive Touch Fails Users
Capacitive touchscreens rely on electrical conductivity, sensing electrical field shifts when your finger touches the surface. One downside of this tech is that fewer nerve impulses means reduced conductivity. As a result, nerve-damaged fingers don’t always register in the intended spot pressed by a user on a screen – if they register at all.
Of course, if you’re exclusively using your “good” hand, none of this is really an issue. But if you regain at least some motor function (and, say, want to hold a device in your uninjured hand while swiping on or tapping at the screen with the other,) it pays to have options.
I realized this issue firsthand when I tested out a finger on my nerve-damaged right hand. In subsequent research, I learned that aside from capacitive issues, motor nerve damage can even warp fingerprints by effectively paralyzing parts of the ridges and whorls on your fingertip. But I digress!
Whatever your physical needs may be, having physical pushbuttons opens up more usability options. So assuming buttons to be an essential accessibility feature, we’ll move on to inclusive e-reader options and accessories that improve their one-handed accessibility.
Adaptive Add-Ons for the Nook GlowLight 4
I have acquired other e-paper devices over the years, but I continue to have one of B&N’s flagship models on hand at any given time – currently, the GL4. It’s relatively affordable, compact enough to easily hold in one hand, and has third-party cases designed to facilitate both single-handed carrying and one-handed page-turning.
Case By Case: All-in-One Designs for Single-Handed Users
Many GL4 cases have helpful straps on the inside of the front cover, which folds to the back when you flip it open. They also have magnets weak enough not to damage electronics but strong enough to hold the cover closed, either in front to secure it for transit (when you’re not reading) or in back to keep it open (when the cover is flipped around). When opened up, these cases variously end up with straps that land in the middle, on the left side, or on the right – personally, I strap in my (working) left hand with a centered strap and use my thumb to click the page-turning buttons.
Get a Grip: Handle Things With One-Stop, Add-On Straps
There are also add-on carrying options like Love Handle straps, which you can stick directly to the back of a device (or minimalist case). They can be placed in whatever spot feels and works best for you while also taking up less space, though they can interfere with a front-covering shell or case.
For whatever reason, the official B&N cases tend to look nice but lack some of these important attributes and options, which might have been optional before my injury but are now essential. I should also say that some cases come with built-in stands, but these tend to be both flimsy and inflexible — we’ll get to freestanding alternatives shortly.
Assistive Accessories for the Nook GL4 Plus
I also have a larger Glowlight 4 Plus, which is a great device for setting up on its own, but becomes uncomfortable to hold one-handed beyond brief periods. The larger page creates more font size and spacing options for comfortable reading at a range of distances.
As with the GL4, there are cases for the Plus with back straps and kickstands, but for this device in particular: I much prefer peripherals such as a separate adjustable stand that can be both sturdier and more adjustable, suited for a range of reading positions.
This larger size also pairs well with handheld page-turning remote controls, enabling you to sit back and read without having to handle either a device or its case.
Note: although I’m introducing them here in reference to the larger Plus model, all of the stands and remotes discussed and linked below are also compatible with the standard-sized Nook GlowLight 4 device (with which I also use them).
Portable & Stable Stands for No-Handing Your Device
The JSAUX Universal Tablet Stand is my most portable; it’s made of lightweight metal, folds extremely flat, and supports both small and large devices. The Anozer Tablet Stand is a bit bigger, but still packs relatively flat; it’s also more adjustable and made of plastic (if scratching worries you).
Thanks to a wider base, heavier metal, and a pair of legs rather than a single support, the UGREEN Tablet Stand is extremely sturdy; these robust features provide superior stability when you set it up on a couch, bed, or other uneven surface; it’s also great for foiling a cat or (small) dog intent on knocking over any screen that comes between them and someone willing to scratch behind their ears. It’s sturdiness does have one downside, however, though it’s not a deal breaker: its stiff joints make it harder to open out and close up one-handed.
All of the above are folding stands, which sit on a surface (as the “stand” part suggests). For completeness, I’ll also mention that I tried out and ultimately took a pass on a series of options that grip devices and clamp to surfaces, including ones for larger screens, mid-sized tablets, or smaller devices. These were a combination of difficult to use and awkward to place, not to mention relatively inflexible once in position.
Real Page-Turners: Remote Controls for Reclined Reading
Being able to set your e-reader on a stand is great, but being able to sit back and turn pages remotely makes it even better. And one great thing about third-party e-reader remotes is that they’re device independent – in fact, they don’t need to interface with your reader’s underlying technology at all (and only touch the surface).
Basically, you clip a small gadget to your screen, which is Bluetooth-connected to a button in your hand; pressing that button sends a signal to the clip, which then simulates a human touch on the screen, thus turning page after page wirelessly. Like an e-reader, these low-power gadgets can go weeks to months without a recharge.
Most work in essentially the same way, with small functional differences. Some have a handheld remote with a single thumb-pressed button, for example; others have buttons on finger rings, which helps avoid absent-minded misplacement (and yes, I purchased one of the latter after I misplaced one the former). These will work on any capacitive touch device, which is handy if you (like me) branch out and get additional e-readers to satisfy more niche use cases.
Boox & Nooks Play Nicely With One Another
My other e-ink reader brand of choice is Boox – their devices have some significant differences from Nooks, but also a lot of basic essentials in common. Boox and Nooks alike make it easy to “sideload” books (as in: transfer from another device, like your computer, to your e-reader). They both support various formats from other sources, including: EPUB, MOBI, or PDF. Unlike some e-reader companies *ahem, cough cough, ahem-azon* neither brand strives to trap users in a walled garden and force them to buy books from only one source. Some (but not all) Boox readers also have physical buttons.
Boox Fits Palma in Spare Pocket Nooks
My Boox Palma is wonderfully compact – its pocket-sized dimensions are about the same as a typical smartphone – all but identical to those of my Google Pixel 8 Pro, for example. Also like my phone, the Palma is a fully functional Android device, which (among other things) means you can add apps from the Play Store – for instance, I can use my Palma to read books bought at Barnes & Noble via the Nook app, in effect connecting my physical Nooks and Boox.
You can also download things like e-comic readers, audiobook players, and so on. (You can even technically watch videos, but e-ink screens have very low refresh rates). Over 100 GB of built-in storage will be way more than enough for your e-book library, but if you find yourself needing more space for, say, a lot of audiobooks, there’s a Micro SD card slot that can boost its capacity to over a terabyte. Two buttons on the right side of the Palma work as both volume controllers and page turners; a bonus button on the left-side can be programmed to do all kinds of things. Between the breadth of possibilities Android opens up, there are also great built-in, device-specific features, and there are a lot of ways to personalize the Palma.
Palma Reading: Keep It Simple With a Slim Case & Strap
The Boox brand TPU case for the Palma comes in black or clear, wraps the back and sides with a safety bumper, and makes a great enclosure option when combined, particularly with a stick-on strap to the back (I use the small Love Handle shown in the picture, but some prefer the large alternative). The other Boox-made case comes in black or white and features a folding cover I find very poorly designed – the magnetic clasp built into the cover is weak, barely holding it shut and doing nothing to hold it open. Between that and the lack of a handle strap, it just sort of flops around uselessly, inhibiting attempts to read, especially with only one hand to both hold the device and turn pages.
Most of the non-Boox case alternatives I tried had issues, such as a poor fit or stiff button covers that can get stuck and frustratingly fast-forward you through a book. The best third-party option I found is the Mifneng, which is a soft rubberized plastic shell with side ridges making it easier to grip. That case also leaves the buttons uncovered, making them easier to press, and skirting the aforementioned issue of buttons remaining depressed (and stuck sending an ongoing signal).
For easy access, you can also (or alternatively) carry the Palma side-by-side with your smartphone in a dual phone holster. And it’s certainly not essential (given the size), but the Lamical Phone Stand works well if you want to set the Palma down and use a remote.
Side Note: Color E-Reader Doubles as Tablet
Up to this point, we’ve covered devices that are great for reading — but as a writer, I found myself needing something with more functionality for work, which led me to get another Boox device, the Note Air4 C.
Like the Palma, it’s a fully functioning Android device – but unlike that other model, the Note has a tablet-sized screen, supports color, and comes with a stylus. I got it primarily to do research – not only reading books and papers, but also highlighting, bookmarking, copying, pasting, and otherwise organizing material for reference.
If you’re just looking for an e-reader, its features are almost certainly overkill, and I’d recommend one of the other three (much cheaper) devices I’ve mentioned above instead. In fact, it might be most accurate to think of it as a tablet that also has all the benefits of an e-ink screen.
As for Note Air4 C cases, I ended up with the fairly sleek and dynamic official case with a magnetic closure, which features a few ways to fold out and prop up your device. That said, there are also the usual suspects: cases with hand straps and stands as well as side-wrapping TPU enclosures. One stand-out design I (didn’t buy but) found particularly clever allows you to both prop up the device and rotate it 90°, so you can change it on the fly between portrait or landscape screen orientations.
Honorable Mention: A Case for Kobo
Although I found two e-reader companies that work great for me, there’s a third device maker that deserves an honorable mention. Like Boox and B&N, Kobo prides itself on a relatively open ecosystem. While some companies intentionally make it hard to move or share your books, many Kobo devices have OverDrive as a built-in feature, making it easier to borrow volumes from libraries. The company’s popular devices include the affordable Kobo Clara, which (alas) has no buttons, and the slightly pricier Kobo Libra Color, which does.
Bookending: One Last Look at that Nook
If you’re at all intimidated by the idea of new tech, or a bit overwhelmed by all these choices, or just want something simple that works out of the box for whatever reason, I’ll reiterate my recommendation to start with a used Nook GlowLight 4 (I got my nieces each one over the holidays last year, for under $100 a piece). I loaded them up with free books to get them started, but books you buy on the Barnes & Noble website automatically appear on your device, so shopping is easy and intuitive. Side-loading other books to a Nook from your computer is also simple – as easy as dragging files from one folder to another. The GL4 is also one of the least expensive e-readers on the market. It can work with the widest range of add-ons discussed above as well.
E-Reader Recap: An E-ink Option to Fit Each Use Case
It’s hard to go wrong with this mid-sized option, mobile but still substantial. Meanwhile, The portability of the Palma is excellent – it feels almost subversive when I’m in a waiting room, surrounded by the people staring at their phones, and pull out my e-ink reader. Alternatively, if you want a nice big e-reader to prop up on a stable stand so you can sit or lie back and enjoy a book while turning pages remotely, the GlowLight Plus will serve you well. Having all three is likely overkill, though I put all of them to good use. But if I had to scale back to one, it would be the flexible GL4.
Reading Adaptive Designs Between the Lines
Interestingly, I encountered almost no references to accessible design as I researched these devices. On the one hand, it was disappointing to not discover there wasn’t a universe of branded options intentionally designed to be assistive. On the other (or in my case: the same) hand, the things I’ve found myself needing, wanting, and keeping are out there – in the form of third-party creations. Big brands could do a lot to expand accessibility from the outset, building more adaptive features directly into their devices (or at least offering more supportive add-ons).
Fortunately, absent top-down initiatives, smaller scale innovators have stepped up to fill in a lot of the peripheral gaps that would otherwise be glaring. And while there are exceptions (that’s right, I’m looking at you, Jeff), many makers of e-readers include at least that most essential of built-in features: actual physical buttons.
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