Digital radios: How to buy the best digital radio Digital radios for those with disabilities

The screen on the Pure Evoke-1S displays text in yellow on a black background to make it easier to read.

If you have limited sight or a condition such as arthritis, check for specific design features when you head to the shops. Here's our handy guide to what to look for.

Partially sighted users

Those who have some sight may want to consider the following when buying a digital radio:

• Large screen
  A model with a large screen with good contrast and bold, large lettering will be easier to see. Digital radios tend to have quite small screens, but the displays on the Roberts Sound 80 and Pure Sensia are larger than most. The touch-screen operation of the Pure Sensia may not be suited to those with limited dexterity though.
• Easily identifiable buttons and preset options
  Consider the size and shape of the control buttons and check they’re logically grouped together. Different shaped buttons for different types of action are useful and dedicated preset buttons for at least a few of your favourite stations mean you won’t have to go through a screen-based menu system.
• Responsive controls
  It can take a few seconds for a digital radio to find the station you want after you’ve selected it, so buttons with an audible or tactile ‘click’ help by giving the definite indication they’ve been pressed.
  The Pure Evoke-1S has a good screen with yellow text on a black background to make it easier to read. Although the labelling on the controls is quite small, the basic functions of dials and buttons are easy to identify once you’re familiar with them and they’re simple to use. The controls are relatively simple, the standby button is coloured for easy identification and the push buttons give good feedback when pressed.

Users with limited dexterity

If you have severe arthritis, the buttons and controls on some models may be more difficult to use than others. When buying a DAB radio consider the following:

• Large, well-spaced buttons
  You may find it easier to use your knuckle, rather than your finger, to press buttons on the radio. A model with large, well-spaced buttons should help you avoid pressing the wrong one accidentally. The Pure Evoke-1S and Roberts Elise are good options to consider.
• Weight
  Heavy models can be more stable and won’t fall over when you’re pressing the controls. Lighter radios sometimes require you to use your other hand to keep them steady. The Roberts Elise is a good choice as the controls are on the top, which means it’s stable no matter how hard you press down on them.