In today’s increasingly digital world, technology can be a powerful tool to navigate daily life and enhance accessibility. There are many applications available on your smartphone or tablet designed for people with visual impairments that can help to improve your independence and make daily life easier. From text-to-speech converters to artificial intelligence, these apps can provide you with assistance in identifying objects, navigating your surroundings, and listening to written text.
Seeing AI
Seeing AI is an app that uses artificial intelligence technology to describe text, people, and objects through audio description. It can help with everyday tasks such as grocery shopping, identifying cash, and reading signs. The app is available in 16 languages, and you can download it for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Envision AI
Like Seeing AI, Envision AI is an app that enables you to listen to written text and identify objects and your surroundings through AI audio descriptions.
Supersense
Supersense uses AI technology to help people with low vision or blindness to find objects, read documents or signs, and explore their surroundings.
Be My Eyes
Be My Eyes is an app that connects people with vision impairment with volunteers who can provide sighted support. It can also connect you with company representatives from organisations like Microsoft, Google, or Apple, if you need specialised support from them. There is 24-hour availability so you can be connected to volunteers and companies all over the world whenever you need support.
Be My Eyes also has a new AI feature, Be My AI, which can provide audio descriptions for text and objects.
WayAround
WayAround is an app that can help you to identify items around your house. The WayAround app works in conjunction with WayTags, which are scannable tags that can be used for labelling items so that you can identify them simply by scanning the WayTag with the WayAround app. The WayTags come in different forms, including magnetic tags, clips, stickers, and washable buttons for clothing, allowing you to label a variety of household items.
The app is free to download, and WayTag prices start at approximately $15.00.
BlindSquare
BlindSquare is a navigation app which allows you to navigate your surroundings, both inside and outside. It can tell you information about your surroundings, such as points of interest and street intersections, and you can also save locations if you will visit them again. The app can also connect with a GPS like Apple Maps or Google Maps. By connecting these apps it will not only provide turn-by-turn directions, but will also tell you your direction of travel and how far you are from your location. BlindSquare is currently only available on iPhone and iPad devices, and it costs approximately $60.00.
Voice Dream Reader
Voice Dream Reader is a text-to-speech app that can convert text into audio from websites, PDF documents, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint documents, eBooks, and more. The app also has a built-in scanner so that you can scan in paper documents to be read aloud. Due to licensing reasons, Voice Dream Reader is not compatible with apps like Kindle or iBooks but can work with some EPUB eBooks. Voice Dream Reader is free to download but requires a paid subscription to use.
For more information
Take a look at our tips for making your digital devices more accessible.
Discover how to do more online with our Get Online, Get Connected digital skills training program.
Always speak to your GP and eyecare professional about the best treatment options for you.
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