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Top Accessibility Apps for the Visually Impaired

Sep 19, 2024

Top 10 Accessibility Apps for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Welcome to Carry On Accessibility, where we explore technology and accessibility! In this lecture, we discuss the top 10 apps designed to assist individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Introduction

  • Revisiting accessibility apps with an updated list.
  • Encourage sharing of personal recommendations in the comments.

Top Apps

1. Seeing AI

  • Available on iPhone and Android.
  • Functions: Read text/documents, barcode scanning, scene descriptions, color identification, light detection.
  • Extra features on iPhone: World Channel.
  • Free and offers a dark mode.

2. Envision App

  • Formerly Envision AI, now free.
  • Capabilities: Scan text, OCR PDF, and save to library.
  • Available on iPhone and Android.

3. Aira

  • Visual interpreting service; offers free five minutes every 48 hours.
  • Has access points in places like airports and Starbucks.
  • Features Access AI chatbot for visually impaired users.
  • Available on iOS, Android, and web.

4. Be My Eyes

  • Free visual interpreting service using volunteers.
  • Specialized help connects to partners like Google and Microsoft.
  • Be My AI chatbot without dark mode on Android.
  • Available on iPhone, Android, and Windows.

5. Gemini

  • AI chatbot accessible to all, not specifically for the visually impaired.
  • Replace Google Assistant on Android.
  • Available on Android, iPhone (via Google app), and web.

6. WeeZoom

  • Android-only; magnification tool using back-facing camera.
  • iPhone alternative: Magnifier app with additional features like detection mode.

7. Digi Clock Widget (Android)

  • Customizable large clock widget.
  • iPhone equivalent: D Clock, but with limitations.

8. Uber

  • Essential for transportation and accessible with screen readers.
  • Use alongside Uber Eats.
  • Available on iOS, Android, and web.

9. Instacart

  • Grocery delivery service; mostly accessible.
  • Available on iOS and Android.

10. Reader Apps

  • Examples: 11 Labs Reader, Reading Mode (Android), Speech Central, Speechify, AT Voice Aloud Reader.
  • Useful for reading web articles and documents aloud.

Additional Apps

BARD

  • Audiobook service for National Library Services patrons.
  • Free but lacks new books.

Libby

  • Accessible app for borrowing audiobooks and ebooks from libraries.
  • iOS and Android.

Bookshare

  • Free for students, offers Braille and Daisy books.

Audible

  • Subscription-based audiobook service.

Kindle

  • Ebooks accessible with text-to-speech functionality.

Other Notable Mentions

  • CamScanner: Document scanning app with image enhancement.
  • OKO App (iPhone): AI for street crossing.
  • Nova Launcher (Android): Customizable home screen.
  • Button Mapper (Android): Custom accessibility shortcuts.

General Observations

  • Amazon and Walmart apps lack dark mode and have accessibility issues.
  • DoorDash faces similar challenges.
  • Google Lookout has a cluttered interface despite fast OCR capabilities.

Conclusion

  • Encouragement to share favorite apps in comments.
  • Options to support through Patreon or becoming a YouTube member.

Thank you for watching and supporting Carry On Accessibility!

Full transcript