For people with sight loss, mobile apps are more than just a modern
convenience; they have the power to make a massive difference in everyday life.
GPS, voice search, text-to-speech, screen readers and more are all powering
innovations that benefit blind and vision impaired smartphone users across the
world. Hereâs some of the best apps on the market.
* BlindSquare
Category: Navigation
Description: BlindSquare is an accessible GPS app, which describes the
environment, announces points of interest, streets and user specified points as
you travel. Once the app has determined your location using your phoneâs GPS,
it will look up information about your surroundings, for example, you could use
it to find restaurants within a 200 metre radius or to find the nearest post
office or the library.
Available on: iOS
Cost: â¬43.99
Website:
www.blindsquare.com <http://www.blindsquare.com>
* Seeing AI
Category: Identification
Description: Seeing AI is an artificial intelligence app developed by Microsoft
that narrates the world around you. Fully accessible with VoiceOver, it can be
used to describe short text, documents, products, people, currency, scenery,
colours, handwriting and light.
Available on: iOS
Cost: Free
Website:
www.microsoft.com/en-us/seeing-ai/ <http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/seeing-ai/ ;>
* Be My Eyes
Category: Identification
Description: âLend your eyes to the blindâ is the tagline for this app that
matches a vision impaired user with a sighted volunteer. With this app, you are
connected through a live video connection and the sighted volunteer can tell
you what they see when you point your phone at something using the rear-facing
camera. Whatâs more, Be My Eyes offers technical support from Microsoftâs
Disability Answer Desk in a feature called Specialised Help.
Available on: iOS
Cost: Free
Website:
www.bemyeyes.com <http://www.bemyeyes.com>
Dolphin EasyReader
Category: Reading
EasyReader is an accessible reading app for readers with low vision, blindness
or dyslexia. Users can browse & download from the worldâs largest collection
of talking book and newspaper libraries, including Bookshare. If you havenât
already, download the app for Android or iOS today and submerge yourself in
100,000s of books you can read!
Available on: iOS & Android
Cost: Free
Website:
www.yourdolphin.com <http://www.yourdolphin.com>
* Voice Dream Reader
Category: Reading
This app reads articles, documents, and books out loud. It has advanced
text-to-speech and can be tailored to your reading style and level. All voices
work offline and play in the background even with the screen locked. It does an
excellent job voicing Microsoft word files, web articles, and various e-book
formats, including works from Bookshare and Project Gutenberg.
Available on: iOS & Android
Cost: â¬10.99
Website:
www.voicedream.com <http://www.voicedream.com>
Earcatch
Category: Entertainment
Earcatch offers audio description for films and series. The content accessible
through this app is increasing. To use, simply select the film or series that
you would like to watch and download the corresponding audio description. You
put on your headphones and hit âplayâ when the film or series begins then
Earcatch will synchronise the audio description with what appears on screen.
Available on: iOS & Android
Cost: Free
Website:
www.eucatch.eu <http://www.eucatch.eu>
Like to know more about any of the apps featured or do you have other
suggestions? â call us on 01 5312975 or email:
labs@xxxxxxx <mailto:labs@xxxxxxx>
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