Adaptive technology - smart phones

Adaptive technology - smart phones

There is a large range of computerised or electronic equipment that can help you with low vision.

One of the most common problems that many blind and visually-impaired people experience is their day-to-day challenge, in coping with their impairment. Equipment such as Braille, reading glasses, or a walking stick are just some of the few things that help visually-impaired people get along with their lives.

With the advancement of technology, a iPhone or Android smartphone have a range of built-in functions, and offer a range of apps (programmes), that are useful for people with low vision.

For example, some smartphones have a voice recognition system that allows a user to check the weather, their email or their calendar without having to navigate a series of icons or buttons.

Some apps use your device's camera and light source to magnify and illuminate text. This is a less expensive (although less powerful) alternative to an electronic magnifier.

Other apps provide voice-guided directions for you as you travel; for example, street names.

If you have a smartphone, browse your Apple or Android app store online to find out about the pricing and availability of these apps. New products are constantly being developed, and existing products improved.

A useful website to visit is: https://www.applevis.com/. This site has starting guides on how to get voiceover and set up iPhone and Android phones.

Alphabetical listing of apps developed specifically for persons who are totally blind or who have low vision can be found at: http://www.umkelloggeye.org/conditions-treatments/lowvision/ipad-and-iphone-apps-low-vision

Many apps are free such as:

Color ID. It uses the iPhone camera, to identify and speak colour names aloud. It offers a setting for basic colours, such as "pale green" or more advanced colours such as "strong greenish yellow."

TapTapSee, is designed to help the blind and visually-impaired identify objects they encounter in their daily lives. Simply double tap the screen to take a photo of anything, at any angle, and hear the app speak the identification. For example it can tell you which is cottage cheese and which is sour cream.

http://www.mobileeye.org/
watch you tube info on mobile eye.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZaTrDDel9A

VizWiz - Simply take a picture of any object and record your question. Then select whom you wish to send it to. Your choices are Web Worker, IQ Engine, email or Twitter. Web worker is a human volunteer who will review and answer your question. Email allows you to send your question to someone you know from your contacts and Twitter will tweet your question to your followers.

For androids, there is https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ScanLife take a picture (ScanLife Barcode and QR) Once a code is scanned, the app reads out the name of the product.

Be My Eyes If you are sighted you can be the eyes for a blind person in need of help remotely through a live video connection, or be assisted by the network of sighted users if you are blind.

WalkyTalky is one of the many apps by Eyes-Free Project that helps blind people get along with their daily lives. The app has an exceptional navigation aid that will greatly help people with visual impairment navigate the streets. Users will be able to get instant updates on their current location as the app has a built-in compass and will always point to the right direction. If a user gets lost, the app will automatically vibrate and tell the user that he or she is going the wrong way.

There are also apps available that you have to pay for, for example downloadable audio books from Audible.com.

If you need adaptive technology to engage in work or study, Workbridge may be able to provide you with assistance (either equipment or training).

Workbridge is a specialist employment service for people with all types of disability, injury or illness: http://workbridgeincorporated.virtuozzo.co.nz/?page=1

Many websites sell low-vision aids and devices. For example,

http://store.humanware.com/nz/blindness/computer-aids/ and http://www.lowvision.co.nz/

The Blind Foundation has an online shop:

https://blindfoundation.org.nz/how-we-can-help/shop/