NFB-NEWSLINE® is a free audio news service created by the National Federation of the Blind for people who are blind, low vision, deafblind, or otherwise print-disabled. Subscribers across Hawaiʻi and the entire country can access hundreds of newspapers, magazines, breaking news, emergency weather alerts, TV listings, and job listings — around the clock, at no cost.
Whether you’re catching up on the morning headlines, listening to your favorite magazine, or checking real-time weather for your neighborhood, NFB-NEWSLINE puts a world of information within reach — without barriers, and without cost.
What’s Available
Newspapers
National papers including the New York Times, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal, plus international titles and local Hawaiʻi publications including the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and the Garden Island News. Holds the current edition, yesterday’s, and the most recent Sunday edition.
Magazines
More than 100 magazines across eight categories: News and Commentary, Popular Culture, Health and Fitness, General Interest, Kid’s Reading Corner, Science and Technology, Home and Family, and Fashion.
Breaking News
Real-time updates from CNN, BBC, NPR, Fox News, ESPN Online, ABC News, and dozens of other sources — updated throughout the day.
Blindness-Specific Publications
The Braille Monitor, Future Reflections, Access World, Braille Book Review, and other titles relevant to the blind and low vision community.
Emergency Weather Alerts
When an active alert is issued for your area, NFB-NEWSLINE notifies you the moment you log in. Localized to your zip code. Provided in partnership with AccuWeather.
TV Listings
Look up your local TV lineup by zip code and provider, and build a favorites list of your most-watched channels.
Job Listings
Search more than 100,000 job listings from CareerBuilder and USAJobs, with customizable search profiles based on location, category, salary range, and more.
Hawaiʻi’s Local Channel
NFB-NEWSLINE includes a dedicated state channel with information specifically relevant to blind and print-disabled residents of the islands — local news, community resources, and announcements from the Hawaiʻi program.
If you know of local services, events, or resources you’d like to see on the channel, reach out to our Hawaiʻi coordinator, Marcus Bass. Your contributions help make the program more useful for everyone across the state.
Marcus Bass
Hawaiʻi Program Coordinator, NFB-NEWSLINE Hawaiʻi
How Is This Different from Other Audio Services?
NFB-NEWSLINE is not a general streaming app. It was built from the ground up for accessibility, specifically for people who are blind or print-disabled. Here’s what sets it apart:
It’s free.
No subscription fees, no hidden costs, no equipment required to start.
It’s built for screen readers.
Every access method — phone, app, web, and smart speaker — works with assistive technology.
It’s available 24/7.
Call at 2 AM, listen during a commute, or check the news from anywhere across the islands.
It’s comprehensive.
Over 500 publications, plus weather, jobs, and TV listings — all in one place.
It’s local.
Hawaiʻi newspapers and a dedicated local channel keep you connected to your community.
Our Partners
NFB-NEWSLINE Hawaiʻi is a program of the National Federation of the Blind, funded in part by the Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services and the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission.
Who Is Eligible?
Anyone who cannot read standard printed publications due to vision loss, dyslexia, or a physical disability is eligible for a free NFB-NEWSLINE account. There is no income requirement and no age restriction.
Children under 18 require a parent or guardian to complete the enrollment process. Two account types are available for minors: a Limited Access account (recommended for age 12 and under) and a Full Access account (available for teens under 18 with parental consent). Visit nfbnewsline.org for details on the differences between account types.