Blind and partially sighted people use assistive technology or adaptations to make the world more accessible. Specialised assistive technology is often prohibitively expensive to many. With the introduction of Mobile phones and apps, it is no understatement to say, ‘There is an App for that’. Let’s explore my Top 5 Android Apps for Users with Sight Loss:
Use an iPhone? Check out my Top 5 iPhone Apps for Users with Sight Loss
Envision
The Envision app is the equivalent to a Swiss Army knife, it is filled with functionality to help verbalise the world around you.
The free Envision App uses your smartphone’s camera, to speak out written information, describe surroundings and objects, and even tell you who’s nearby.
Description from LetsEnvision.com/app
Excelling in all kinds of text and object recognition, Envision can read text in over 60 languages. Be it a handwritten birthday card, the ingredients listing on the back of a cereal box or even an entire book.
Visit Lets Envision to find out more and download the app
Google Lookout – Assisted Vision
With Lookout, you can get details about objects, images, and text around you. Lookout uses the camera and sensors on your Android device to recognize objects and text, and tells you what it finds.
How to setup and use Google Lookout
Be My Eyes
While technology is constantly improving and can support us in many situations, occasionally there is a need for a human to help. Be My Eyes solves this problem by connecting you with one of millions of volunteers who will use your phone camera to help you.
Visit the Be My Eyes Website to download the app.
Aira
Aira, a visual interpreter service like Be My Eyes, except Aira connects you to highly trained staff who have a dashboard with information about your location, profile and what your camera can see. There is a free plan, however, to use the service regularly you will need to subscribe. I find that as a paid service, you don’t get the same feeling that you need to make small talk or the guilt of putting someone else out like you do with Be My Eyes.
Go to aira.io/app to download the app
NaviLens
Finally, NaviLens is an app that reads a colourful 2D barcode, like a QR Code. The NaviLens codes can be read from metres away and are being used by transport facilities to help with navigation, and more recently food and drink brands like Kelloggs to help with identifying and finding products. Watch the video below to see NaviLens in action.
Visit the NaviLens website to download the app
What are your Top 5 Android Apps for Users with Sight Loss?
With so many apps out there, what are your top 5 Android Apps for users with sight loss?
Tell me what you think in the comments below or on X @timdixon82
