Using Your Smartphone to Counteract Vision Loss
Recent advancements in technology have given those with vision loss unprecedented access to helpful tools that can make their lives easier. Smartphones, in particular, enable people with vision impairments to accomplish everyday tasks with greater speed and accuracy than ever before. Here are a few tips for using your smartphone to help counteract vision loss:
1. iPhone
- VoiceOver: This accessibility feature reads the content of any screen aloud, making it accessible for those with vision loss. It can also help users interact with their device using taps, swipes and gestures.
- Magnifier: Available from iOS 10, the Magnifier feature turns the iPhone camera into a digital magnifying glass. It can help view images, text, and fine print with greater clarity than before.
2. Android
- TalkBack: TalkBack is a feature available on most Android devices which reads aloud any on-screen information. It also has built-in shortcut keys and audio feedback to help users interact with their device.
- Screen Magnifier: Also available on many Android devices, this feature enlarges and magnifies the content on the screen and can be used to read even the finest of details.
3. Apps
- Be My Eyes: This free app connects those with vision impairment with sighted volunteers who can provide assistance with whatever task they may be facing.
- Seeing AI: Developed by Microsoft, this app uses the smartphone camera to detect and describe people, items and text for users with vision loss.
- Sight enhancement apps: There are also several other apps that can help people with vision loss magnify, brighten and adjust their displays to make them easier to see.
Using your smartphone to help counteract vision loss can greatly improve the quality of life of anyone with a visual impairment. By utilizing the features and apps mentioned above, people can remain connected, independent and empowered.
As technology changes, so too must adaptive technologies that seek to provide aid to individuals with varying levels of vision loss. Smartphones are becoming increasingly popular, with most modern devices now having enhanced technology which has enabled the development of applications (apps), which seek to aid those with vision limitations. It has become increasingly important to understand how to use the technology available to help people maintain their independence and live meaningful lives.
iPhone
Magnifier:
The Magnifier app is an integrated accessibility feature on iPhones. It works by using the camera on the device to magnify the object users are looking at, allowing for easier reading for those with impaired vision. The app boasts a range of settings to customize the users’ experience, including a variety of color filters, digital zoom from 2x-15x, and a switch to invert colors or turn on the flashlight.
Voice Over:
The VoiceOver feature on iPhones enables users to access their phone’s entire system by only using their voice. It can be used to help those with vision impairments access apps and perform tasks on the phone. The phone will read out a description, including the name of all the buttons or text, so that the user can perform the task with only their voice, without having to visually sense the options.
Android
Google Lens:
Google Lens is available on both iOS and Android devices. It works by using the user’s camera to identify and read out text that it captures. It can also provide descriptions of objects, landmarks, and landmarks using AI technology. By using text recognition and object recognition technologies, Google Lens provides a more comprehensive range of features than the Magnifier app.
Live Transcribe:
Live Transcribe is an app that takes advantage of the speech recognition capabilities of Android devices. The app utilizes the device’s microphone to capture speech and sound, and then converts it into text which appears on the user’s screen in real time. This feature is especially useful for users who are unable to read physical text, enabling them to “listen” and interact with their environment with ease.
Apps
Kapten App:
The Kapten App is a free smartphone app that assists users with low vision by providing voice support and allowing them to access information with their voice. The Kapten App includes features such as a talking compass, which reads out directions, and a talking alarm clock. It also offers a variety of visual information such as text, numbers and colors, on a visually accessible display.
Be My Eyes:
Be My Eyes is a free app that connects people who are blind or visually impaired with sighted volunteers. Blind and visually impaired users can request assistance and video chat with a volunteer to get help with tasks. The volunteers can help solve a variety of daily tasks, such as reading a label or navigating a store.
In summary, there is a variety of technology available to assist visually impaired individuals, from the integrated accessibility features of iPhones and Androids, to third-party apps that add additional features. It is important to understand how to use the technology available in order to help increase independence and quality of life.