Vision Australia, VA Connect5.13.3 - App Store

Use the VA Connect app to read publications that are available through i-access, Vision Australia’s online Library service.

The app’s accessible interface allows you to search, select and read a vast range of books and other publications. You can also subscribe to magazines and daily newspapers.

The app includes a player that can read audio and text-based titles by streaming them from your online bookshelf or download them to read offline.

Among many other features, the player remembers your reading position and you can add your own bookmarks. You can also adjust playback speed, set a sleep timer and adjust the app to suit the way you like to read.

To use VA Connect you must be a Vision Australia Library member. To become a member call 1300 654 656, or email library@visionaustralia.org

Version History Fixed minor bugs and issues. 5.13.3 Sep 2 Fixed minor bugs and issues. 5.13.2 Aug 4 Fixed minor bugs and issues. 5.13.1 Jun 11 New: App notifies user if a new version is available
New: Sorting option in the local bookshelf
New: Press Previous once to revert to previous position, press twice to revert to start of section
Updated welcome & getting started screens on first use
Updated User Guide
Improved layout of menus and lists, and increased size of quick access and menu buttons
Improved handling of books with incorrect filenames
Improved MacOS support: Spacebar to play/stop, Arrow keys to navigate
Bug fixes
Technical updates to ensure operation with the latest OS and devices 5.12.16 May 13 - New welcome screen and onboarding information on first use
- New Quick Access buttons in the Bookshelf screen
- New ability to select multiple titles to download or remove
- Resolved issue of last reading position not being stored on app closure
- Resolved issue of Bluetooth headset connection being lost in some circumstances
- Resolved scaling issue when the text size was set at the highest option
- Improved playback of downloaded books in offline mode
- Improved Settings menu
- Improved text scaling based on the accessibility option.
- Code refinement to improve reliability 5.10 03/25/2024 * Updated User Guide
* Resolved issue of book search failing in some circumstances
* Resolved issue of large books size being displayed incorrectly
* New Audio only player
* New when changing the search filter, a new search will be made
* New added the book navigation options to the Voiceover Rotor
* Improved Simple player by removing book text and increasing contrast
* Improved sorting Bookshelf by date
* General code refinement to ensure reliability on new devices 5.8 12/01/2022 * Resolved issue causing unexpected log out of user
• Improved app performance
• Improved in-app messages and handling of faulty DAISY books
• Improved login screen layout
• New continue playback while setting reading speed

• New long press on play button to access sleep timer
• New option to change sort list order within the bookshelf
• New setting to turn off ‘auto scroll’ text while reading
• New setting to ‘skip notes’ if present in DAISY books
• New book format is displayed on the bookshelf for each title
• Updated user guide 5.6.1 12/19/2021 • Improved app performance and reliability
• Improved in-app messages and handling of faulty DAISY books
• Improved login screen layout
• Improved hint colour for dark theme
• New continue playback while setting reading speed
• New long press on play button to access sleep timer
• New option to change sort list order within the bookshelf
• New setting to turn off ‘auto scroll’ text while reading
• New setting to ‘skip notes’ if present in DAISY books
• New book format is displayed on the bookshelf for each title
• Updated user guide 5.6 11/18/2021 In addition to the newly designed user interface and features, improvements include:
• Removed the requirement to agree to T&C before logon
• Fixed an issue that caused excessive battery consumption
• Improved accuracy of the reading position ‘progress bar’ 5.4.1 12/21/2020 Updates, improvements and bug fixes including:
• All new and redesigned user interface.
• Improved accessibility features and user options.
• Subscribe to newspapers and magazines.
• Choice of simple or advanced book players.
• Improved bookmarking with voice and text note taking.
• Improved book searching, information and user options.
• Simplified bookshelf with book cover display.
• List-view or grid-view bookshelf.
• Remembers recent search history.
• Improved notifications feature.
• Built-in audio user guide.
• Complies with latest OS specifications. 5.3 10/12/2020 - Improved code for opening of titles.
- Improved error handeling when books are not opened correctly.
- Improved time jumps
- Fix for opening downloaded titles on blocked cellular network.
- Clearer message when the app is started on a cellular network while the settings do not allow cellular network usage.
- Enlarged buttons in player with text display
- Improved error handling with incorrect loading of book 1.2.8 05/17/2018 - Fix for blocking cellular network usage according to setting
- Fix for navigation errors in specific titles 1.2.7 02/06/2018 •Improved Support for iOS11
•General stability improvements
•Bug fixes 1.2.6 01/12/2018 •Ability to read text based content including all of the Newspapers and Magazines available through i-access®.
•Displays the full text of a title when it is available, including Newspapers, with sentence highlighting.
•Improved messaging feature to receive important messages from Vision Australia.
•Improved usability and numerous bug fixes in response to feedback from Users.
•New Vision Australia branding 1.2.4 02/03/2017 New features:

· Users can now subscribe to the 10 most popular daily newspapers
· Listen to podcasts and online radio such as Vision Australia Radio
· Search and select titles from the i-access® online catalogue
· New rating feature allows Users to like or dislike content

General stability improvements.
Fixed an issue where some titles had poor performance.
Fixed an issue where some titles caused the app to crash.
General accessibility improvements. 1.1.1 03/24/2016 This version contains bug fixes and enhancements to improve performance and usability:
-Fixed playback issues with some books
-Enabled return of Subscriptions
-Fixed an issues that caused some the app to crash on log on with certain devices
-Fixed stability when loading contents
-Minor wording changes for consistency
-Added Author and Synopsis for a title under “Item Details” menu 1.0.2 12/03/2015 1.0 11/01/2015