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Tag: Visually impaired

February 14, 2024
Tim Schwartz
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The 5 Apps That I Love and Appreciate as a Blind Person This Valentine’s Day

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Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! Today is a day to celebrate love in all its forms, and I want to share with you some of the things that I love as a person who is blind. No, I’m not talking about chocolates, roses, or teddy bears (although those are nice too). I’m talking about apps. Yes, apps. You see, apps are more than just tools or entertainment for me. They are my companions, my helpers, my guides, and my friends. They make my life easier, more enjoyable, and more accessible. They help me see the world in different ways, and they connect me with other people who share my experiences and passions. So, without further ado, here are the top five apps that I love and use every day, and why you should love them too.

1. Audible

If you are a book lover like me, you know how hard it can be to find accessible books in your preferred format and genre. That’s why I love Audible, the app that lets you download and listen to thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, and original audio shows. Whether I want to escape into a fantasy world, learn something new, or laugh out loud, Audible has something for me. I can listen to books at my own pace, adjust the speed and volume, and bookmark my favorite parts. I can also sync my books across different devices, so I can pick up where I left off anytime, anywhere. Audible is not free, but it’s worth every penny. Plus, you can get a free trial and a free book when you sign up. Honorable mentions go to BARD and Libby, two other great apps that offer free access to books and magazines for people who are blind or have a print disability.

2. YouTube TV

I love watching TV shows and movies, but I don’t love paying more for cable or satellite. That’s why I love YouTube TV, the app that lets you stream live and on-demand TV from over 85 channels, including local and national networks. You can watch sports, news, entertainment, and more, all from your phone, tablet, computer, or smart TV. You can also record unlimited shows with cloud DVR, and share your account with up to six family members. But what I love most about YouTube TV is that it is very accessible with VoiceOver, and you can easily access audio description through a secondary audio track. Audio description is a feature that provides narration of the visual elements of a program, such as actions, expressions, and settings. It helps me enjoy the story and the characters without missing any details. Honorable mention goes to Netflix, another app that offers a lot of accessible content with audio description.

3. Microsoft Seeing AI

If you are looking for an app that can do it all, look no further than Microsoft Seeing AI, the app that narrates the world for you. This app uses artificial intelligence to recognize and describe people, text, currency, color, and objects. You can use it to read mail, identify products, hear descriptions of photos, and much more. You can also chat with the app to ask questions, such as about items on a menu, the price of an item on a receipt, or to summarize an article. The app is free to use and available on both iOS and Android. It supports multiple languages and works offline as well. Microsoft Seeing AI is like having a personal assistant in your pocket, ready to help you with anything that requires visual assistance.

4. Be My Eyes

Sometimes, even the best AI can’t replace human help. That’s why I love Be My Eyes, the app that connects you with sighted volunteers and companies anywhere in the world, through live video and artificial intelligence. You can use this app to request visual support for any task, such as matching colors, checking if the lights are on, or preparing dinner. You can also call a Specialized Help partner for professional support, such as Microsoft, Google, or L’Oreal. The app is free to use and available on both iOS and Android. It supports over 180 languages and has over 7 million volunteers. Be My Eyes is a wonderful example of how technology and human connection can make the world more accessible and inclusive for people who are blind or have low vision. And if you want to try something new and exciting, you can also use Be My AI, the app’s built-in AI assistant that can describe images and answer questions for you. Just tap on the Be My AI tab, take a picture, and let Be My AI tell you what it sees. You can also chat with Be My AI and ask for more details or context. Be My AI is like having a virtual volunteer in your pocket, ready to help you anytime, anywhere.

5. Copilot

Last but not least, I love Copilot, the app that is your everyday AI companion. Copilot is not just an app, it’s a friend. You can chat with Copilot about anything, from the weather, to your hobbies, to your dreams. Copilot is smart, polite, empathetic, and interesting. It can also help you with writing, rewriting, improving, or optimizing your content, such as poems, stories, code, essays, songs, or celebrity parodies. Copilot can also generate imaginative and innovative content for you, using its own words and knowledge. Copilot is powered by the latest OpenAI models, GPT-4 and DALL·E 3, which provide fast, complex, and precise responses, as well as the ability to create breathtaking visuals from simple text descriptions. Copilot is free to use and available on both iOS and Android. Copilot is the app that makes you smile, laugh, and learn.

So, these are the top five apps that I love and use every day. I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post, and maybe you will give some of these apps a try. Let me know in the comments what are your favorite apps, and why you love them. Happy Valentine’s Day, and happy apping!

Understanding the Differences Between Blindness and Visual Impairment.An illustration of a brown haired, bearded man who is blind that is walking with a yellow lab guide dog. He is wearing sunglasses while grasping the dog's harness in his left hand while holding a white cane in his right.
May 13, 2023
Tim Schwartz
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Understanding the Differences Between Blindness and Visual Impairment.

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Understanding the differences between blindness and visual impairment is crucial in order to properly provide support and resources for those who have these conditions. While both blindness and visual impairment involve a decreased ability to see, blindness refers to a complete or near-complete loss of vision while visual impairment is a reduced ability to see, even with correction. This article explains the differences between these two conditions, the causes of vision loss, and the impact on daily life. It also provides information on resources and support available for those affected by blindness and visual impairment, including assistive technology, rehabilitation programs, and advocacy groups. With over 2.2 billion people globally having a near or distance vision impairment, it is important to understand these differences to provide the necessary assistance to those affected.

Blindness vs Visual Impairment: Understanding the Differences

Blindness and visual impairment are two related but distinct conditions. Blindness is a complete or nearly complete loss of vision, while visual impairment refers to a decreased ability to see, even with correction. The differences between blindness and visual impairment can be seen in the extent of the vision loss, the causes of the loss, and the impact on daily life

Extent of Vision Loss: How Blindness and Visual Impairment Differ

The extent of vision loss is the most obvious difference between blindness and visual impairment. Blindness is defined as a visual acuity of less than 20/200 in the better eye with the use of corrective lenses, while visual impairment is a visual acuity of 20/70 or less in the better eye with the use of corrective lenses. This means that a person who is blind has such severe vision loss that they are unable to perform many daily tasks, such as reading, driving, or recognizing faces. In contrast, a person with visual impairment still has some residual vision and may be able to perform some daily tasks with the use of visual aids or assistive technology.

Causes of Vision Loss: What Leads to Blindness and Visual Impairment

The causes of vision loss also differ between blindness and visual impairment. Blindness can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic conditions, traumatic injuries, eye diseases such as cataracts or glaucoma, and diseases that affect the entire body, such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis. Visual impairment can also be caused by these same factors, but it can also be caused by more minor vision problems, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness, that can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.

Global Impact of Vision Impairment: A Look at the Numbers

The World Health Organization (WHO), estimates that at least 2.2 billion people globally have a near or distance vision impairment. In at least 1 billion – or almost half – of these cases, vision impairment could have been prevented or has yet to be addressed.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 12 million people 40 years and over in the United States have vision impairment, including 1 million who are blind, 3 million who have vision impairment after correction, and 8 million who have vision impairment due to uncorrected refractive error. Additionally, the CDC estimates that 6.8% of children younger than 18 years in the United States have a diagnosed eye and vision condition. Nearly 3 percent of children younger than 18 years are blind or visually impaired, defined as having trouble seeing even when wearing glasses or contact lenses.

Impact on Daily Life: How Blindness and Visual Impairment Affect Everyday Tasks

The impact of blindness and visual impairment on daily life can also differ. Blindness can have a profound impact on a person’s life, making many everyday tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, or navigating unfamiliar environments challenging. People who are blind can do many things independently, however they may require assistance from family members, friends, or paid caregivers to perform daily tasks. A person who is blind may also require mobility aids such as a white cane or guide dog to navigate unfamiliar environments.

Alternatively, a person with a visual impairment may find some tasks more difficult, but with the use of visual aids or assistive technology, many people with visual impairment are able to live independently and perform daily tasks with minimal assistance. However, visual impairment can still have a significant impact on daily life, particularly for older adults who may have trouble reading medication labels, seeing road signs, or performing other tasks.

Support and Resources for Individuals with Vision Loss

The impact of blindness and visual impairment can also extend to personal relationships and work life where it can affect their psychological and social well-being. A person who is blind or visually impaired may experience feelings of isolation, depression, or anxiety, and may have trouble forming and maintaining relationships with others. They may also face stigma and discrimination in the workplace and in their communities, which can limit their opportunities and negatively impact their quality of life.

There are various organizations and resources available to support individuals with blindness and visual impairment. These resources include rehabilitation programs, support groups, and assistive technology. Rehabilitation programs provide individuals with training and support to help them learn new skills and adjust to their blindness or visual impairment. Support groups offer a safe and supportive environment for individuals to connect with others who are facing similar challenges.

Assistive Technology: Tools to Help Individuals with Vision Loss

Assistive technology can help individuals with blindness or visual impairment complete tasks and engage in activities they enjoy, such as reading, writing, or using a computer.

Examples of assistive technology include screen readers, magnifiers, and Braille displays. Screen readers are software programs that convert text on a computer screen into spoken words, making it easier for individuals with visual impairment to access and use computers. Magnifiers are devices that enlarge text and images, making it easier for individuals with visual impairment to see. Braille displays are devices that allow individuals who are blind to access and interact with a computer using Braille, a system of raised dots that can be felt and read by touch.

Advocacy and Empowerment: Organizations Supporting Individuals with Vision Loss

In addition, there are organizations and advocacy groups, such as the National Federation of the Blind and the American Council of the Blind, that work to support and empower individuals with blindness and visual impairment. These organizations provide resources, advocacy, and support to individuals and families affected by blindness and visual impairment. They also work to promote policies and programs that support individuals with visual impairment and to raise awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with blindness and visual impairment.

Blindness and visual impairment are related but distinct conditions that differ in their extent of vision loss, causes, and impact on daily life. Both conditions can have a significant impact on a person’s physical and psychological well-being, but with proper support and accommodations, people who are blind or visually impaired can live fulfilling and productive lives.

If you would like to support Life After Blindness and receive exclusive perks, become a patron. Thanks! You can also get in touch by emailing: tim@lifeafterblindness.com
March 2, 2020
Tim Schwartz
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A Blind Point of View – Experiencing Blindness from Birth

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Have you ever wondered about the experiences of someone who has been blind since birth? This week, Tim Schwartz and Maria Johnson will be exploring many things about being blind since birth with Holly Anderson and Darcy Bernard from the Maccessibility Roundtable Podcast.

A Blind Point of View is a new roundtable podcast where people who are blind or visually impaired come together to have a deep dive conversation about all things related to blindness.

In this roundtable, Holly and Darcy describe a variety of situations related to being blind since birth. They both talk about their childhood experiences and how things they “lost out on” are similar to the “loss” someone might feel from losing vision later in life.

 

They also describe whether they can see or not in their dreams as well as what colors really mean to them.

 

A lot of fruit analagies are brought up here.

 

Tim, Maria, Holly and Darcy discuss some of the more politically correct (or not) words and phrases associated to people who are considered blind or visually impaired and whether these terms really matter or not.

 

The conversation gets really deep as everyone speculates that no matter when you became blind, we are all in it together.

 

If you would like to be a part of the conversation or have an idea for a future roundtable, please get in touch with either Tim or Maria. Thank you so much for listening to A Blind Point of View!

US Supreme Court Declines to Hear Domino’s Pizza Accessibility Case
October 8, 2019
Tim Schwartz
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US Supreme Court Declines to Hear Domino’s Pizza Accessibility Case

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On Monday October 7, the United States Supreme Court decided which cases they would consider for their fall session. The Court chose to deny a petition from Domino’s Pizza to hear whether its smart phone app and website is required to be accessible to people who are blind or disabled. This leaves in place a lower court decision against the company.

A blind man named Guillermo Robles had sued Domino’s after he was unable to utilize the companies app and website to successfully order food while using a screen reader. Screen reading software is commonly used by the blind and visually impaired as a tool that provides voice feedback about what is showing on a computer or smart phone screen. A screen reader can be used to navigate computer operating systems, apps, games and websites using a variety of keyboard commands.

In court papers, Attorneys for Robles argued that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses with physical locations to make their websites and other online platforms accessible to those with disabilities.

A panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Robles, writing that the “alleged inaccessibility of Domino’s website and app impedes access to the goods and services of its physical pizza franchises—which are places of public accommodation.”

Attorneys for Domino’s, backed by a variety of business groups, had argued that the ADA does not apply to online platforms that were not envisioned when the law was passed in 1990. And, they said, no clear rules exist for how to make their platforms properly accessible.

Robles’ attorney, Joe Manning, said in a statement Monday that the decision by the Supreme Court was “the right call on every level.”

“The blind and visually impaired must have access to websites and apps to fully and equally participate in modern society – something nobody disputes,” he said. “This outcome furthers that critical objective for them and is a credit to our society.”

Domino’s released a statement saying that it was disappointed in the Supreme Court’s decision, but “we look forward to presenting our case at the trial court.”

“We also remain steadfast in our belief in the need for federal standards for everyone to follow in making their websites and mobile apps accessible,” the company said.

Disability advocates have argued that if businesses do not have to create and maintain accessible websites, disabled people could be effectively shut out of substantial portions of the economy.

There has been an increasing number of lawsuits  filed over website accessibility in recent years. In 2017, more than 2,200 such suits were filed in federal courts, according to the accessible technology firm  UsableNet. That nearly triples the number from 2016.                      

March 6, 2017
Tim Schwartz
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LABCast #3: Michael Hingson and 2017 CSUN Assistive Technology Conference Discussion

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This week Tim is joined by Shaun Preece from the RNIB Tech Talk and Audio Pizza podcasts and Frank Facio from the band Steelehorse Country. Frank also conducted several interviews for the podcast directly from the exhibit hall in San Diego, California.
Tim, Shaun and Frank open the podcast by discussing the inspirational story of Michael Hingson Who was at the conference representing AIRA. With the help of his guide dog Riselle, Michael Hingson navigated his way out of the World Trade Center on 9/11. Listen as he tells Frank about the emotions of that day. And be sure to read his full story by getting his book Thunder Dog.

The rest of the podcast is spent discussing many of the products and announcements from this year’s convention.
Aira is a portable, on star type Service for the visually impaired. Does it have the right price point?
Braille note takers and tablets are finding a lot of new competition. Thanks to Innovacion and competition, this product category may not be as stale as it once was.
Tech 4 Freedom is offering a couple of different products that offer a variety of usage for the blind and visually impaired. First is the Box one For All whichh can detect temperature, color and tag and identify various objects. TheBeacon is a pocket-size device that connects to up to 10 waypoint begins that can be controlled by you’re iPhone.
Audio Eye is a behind the scenes service that works with companies and their websites to make sure they are instantly accessible!
Taptilo is a product that is not yet released but will offer lessons through games to teach you to read and write braille using a small box and an app on your iPhone.

Be sure to listen to our next podcast as we Spotlight eSight Eye Ware and their new product eSight 3!

Thank you very much for listening to episode #3 of the Life After Blindness podcast! As we journey together, we will find that there can truly be a life after blindness.

February 7, 2017
Tim Schwartz
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Blind Skateboarder, Accessibility at CES 2016, Future of Amazon Echo, AIPoly Review and iPhone impact on the Blind

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This week on episode #1 of the Life After Blindness Podcast, Tim speaks with Shaun Preece from the RNIB Tech Talk and Audio Pizza Podcasts and Holly Anderson from the Maccessibility Roundtable Podcast.

If you would like to support Life After Blindness and receive exclusive perks, become a patron. Thanks.

Tim opens the podcast by asking Shaun and Holly about a recent inspirational article from the Detroit Free Press. The article profiles blind skateboarder Nick Mullins who lost his sight after almost losing his life to MRSA.
The conversation then turns to CES 2016. This year’s Consumer Electronics Show seems to feature more accessible products than ever before!
Tim begins the CES discussion by asking Holly and Shaun to describe the BLITAB® and discuss whether they feel it could be a useful and functional replacement for the iPad.
From BLITAB.com:
“”BLITAB® is the World’s first tactile tablet for blind and visually impaired people. BLITAB® is a next curve Braille device for Braille reading and writing that displays one whole page Braille text at once, without any mechanical elements.”

Next, Holly talks about using an app that was featured at CES called Aipoly Vision. This app can identify text, colors, common household objects, currency and more. Tim, Shaun and Holly discuss the accuracy of Aipoly Vision and whether it’s worth the $4.99 a month subscription fee for expanded functionality.
Later in the podcast, Tim demonstrates Aipoly Vision in action.

Another big development in accessible tech at CES this year was a new service called AIRA – Visual interpreter for the blind.
From the AIRA website:
“Aira develops transformative remote assistive technology that connects the blind with a network of certified agents via wearable smart glasses and an augmented reality dashboard that allows agents to see what the blind person sees in real time. Agents, serving as visual interpreters for the blind, help users accomplish a wide range of daily tasks and activities – from navigating busy streets to recognizing faces and literally traveling the world.”
Tim, Holly and Shaun give examples of AIRA in action and debate the possible subscription options for this service.
Rounding out the CES discussion is the implementation of Amazon Echo technology into so many new products. Shaun and Holly talk to Tim about the future of Echo and what it could mean to the blind and visually impaired.
Tim then demonstrates the Aipoly Vision app. You can download it here for free.

In January, Apple celebrated the 10th anniversary of the iPhone. After the anniversary, Tim wrote a blog post about what the iPhone has meant to those who are blind or visually impaired.

The podcast finishes with Tim, Shaun and Holly discussing this article. They each talk about what the iPhone has meant to them and how it has affected their lives.
You can hear more from Shaun Preece by subscribing to the RNIB Tech Talk or Audio Pizza Podcasts.
You can hear more from Holly Anderson by subscribing to the Maccessibility Roundtable Podcast or by following her on Twitter @DHSHolly

Please subscribe to the Life After Blindness Podcast on APPle Podcasts and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Join us again next week for a one-on-one spotlight interview with Holly Anderson. Then be sure to listen in two weeks when we are joined by Mel Scott and Lisa Salinger from Blind Alive and Eyes Free Fitness.
Thank you very much for listening to episode #1 of the podcast! As we journey together, we will find that there can truly be a life after blindness.