The Best Apps for the Blind and Visually Impaired

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Person holding iPhone with AIRA app pulled up. Text read "The Best Apps for the Blind and Visually Impaired"

Here at WSB, we love technology especially when it comes to helping us make our lives easier. We love technology so much, we can even teach you how to become an expert in the field of Assistive Technology and become a certified Assistive Technology Instructor! But today we wanted to share some of our favorite apps for the blind and visually impaired. Here is a list of our top 10 apps staff and clients use on a daily basis!

  1. Be My Eyes

    Be My Eyes is a free app where you can be connected to a volunteer (from anywhere in the world!) to help with a variety of tasks. With a simple video call, a volunteer can help with making sure the oven is set to 400, picking out an outfit that matches, making sure you’re at the right street, and so much more! Be My Eyes can help with it all!

  2. AIRA

    Similar to Be My Eyes, AIRA connects you with a real-life volunteer to help with your daily tasks. AIRA provides confidentiality when you need it so they can help you make sure you have the correct credit card numbers typed out, give you resume help, help sign confidential documents, write invoices, and give live audio descriptions for TV shows and movies! AIRA is free for five-minute calls (so you can talk for five minutes and then call back!). It is also free inside AT&T stores and Target. If you need assistance with JAWS or ZoomText, and if you are a small business - they are free for 30 minutes! They also have glasses you can purchase so you can use AIRA hands-free.

  3. Seeing AI

    Seeing AI also helps with your daily tasks like identifying money, identifying people, reading a screen, and more! Seeing AI also has a feature for a light detector if you want to make sure the lights are on or off. The difference between Seeing AI and the apps listed above is that Seeing AI does not use a real live volunteer but rather computer software.

  4. NAGDU

    For all the guide dog users, The NAGDU (National Association of Guide Dog Users) app is for you! This app provides helpful information on state and federal laws regarding service animals whether that is in a restaurant, in an Uber, and any other problems you might encounter!

  5. Where to Go

    Another app for the guide dog users is Where to go. Where to Go finds animal relief areas in airports so you never have to be lost on where to take your dog.

  6. Google Maps - New Features for the Blind/Visually Impaired Community

    In October of last year, Google Maps announced a new feature to help the blind and visually impaired! The app now gives much more detailed instructions when walking a route. The new feature gives audio alerts and compass directions when traveling. To turn the feature on, users can go to the Google Maps settings and select “Navigation.” At the bottom of the list will be the option to enable "Detailed voice guidance," beneath the “Walking options” heading.

  7. Otter Voice Meeting

    This is an app for someone in school or conducts a lot of meetings. Otter Voice Meeting can take your notetaking to the next level. With Otter Voice meeting, you can record and transcribe meetings, transcribe notes, search keywords, upload notes, and share with your colleagues or teammates. 

  8. Find Near Me helps with exactly what it says - it helps find restaurants, grocery stores, cafes, and more near you. Find Near Me uses keywords for your search but you can also add your own.

  9. Menus4All

    While not technically an app, Menus4All is still something easily accessible on your phone. It is actually a website (and not available in every state) but it is a great way to get accessible menus at restaurants. Menus4all is a free website that allows users to download fully accessible menus from restaurants across the United States.

  10. Nearby Explorer

    Nearby Explorer was designed specifically for the Blind and Visually impaired. This app helps with navigation when walking around as it can provide clear and detailed directions of streets coming up, directions, and mass transit options. This app is able to be customized to what announcements you want to hear so it is a great way to get your directions hands free.

Those are just a few of our favorite and best apps for the blind and visually impaired community! Let us know your favorite apps in the comments below.