New App Allows Strangers to Assist People With Visual Impairments From Anywhere in the World
A nonprofit called Be My Eyes has created an app that could revolutionize the way we help others.
The app, launched by Danish developer Robocat, allows people with visual impairments to take live video of objects and writing they need help deciphering and send it to sighted volunteers who can describe the objects or read the text aloud, according to the app’s description on iTunes. A person with visual impairments can request help for anything from reading a label to identifying dangerous objects in their surroundings, all using the camera on their smartphone.
The app has been running in Denmark for several months now and so far there are about 700 “helpers” assisting blind users, Gigaom reported.
“Apple is planning to feature the app in the App Store which will help to promote it and get more helpers,” Willi Wu, Robocat founder and lead developer, told the outlet. “We are not only looking for helpers, but also blind people so they can get the help when they need it. So we are trying to get the word of mouth out to people who know blind people that could be useful for them.”
Check out how Be My Eyes works in the video below:
Visit this page to learn more or download the app.
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Melissa McGlensey is the former News Editor at The Mighty. Her writing can also be seen in Ms. Magazine, on the Ms.Magazine blog and in The Huffington Post’s Good News, Comedy and Impact sections. Melissa is also a New York City comedian who does sketch, improv and stand up. She is passionate about social justice, politics, Thai food, literature, disability rights and more. She is currently in a long-distance relationship with her cat, Sneakers, who lives in California. You can follow her on twitter at @OhHeyMeliss.
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