be my eyes

Be My Eyes

Blind individuals experience a unique set of challenges that can affect various aspects of life, from mobility to social inclusion. Recognising these hurdles is the first step in offering meaningful support.

Mobility and Navigation

blindsquare

BlindSquare is the world’s most accessible GPS app for people who are blind, deafblind and partially sighted. Paired with navigation apps, this self-voicing app helps people get around safely, and also details points of interest. After gathering information about your surroundings, it then points out useful places like cafes, post offices and libraries.

Just shake the device to hear details of where you are, while the app also filters out unnecessary places, to avoid confusion and overwhelm. It can save favourite places, talk in several languages, and still work hands-free, if you wish to tuck the device away.

Assistance with Daily Activities

be my eyes

Be My Eyes is one of the world’s most popular charity apps, where there are (unusually) more people wishing to give than receive. This is great fun for us – you sign up and then basically any blind person worldwide can contact you, to ask them to ‘be their eyes’, from reading a recipe, to deciphering a colour or reading instructions. Such a simple idea, but it’s transforming people’s lives worldwide.

Around 340 million people worldwide have sight issues, and this app aims to help all of them. The organisation has just launched Be My Eyes for Windows to help people who use a computer, from using photos and graphs to making video calls.

Since launch in 2015, the Be My Eyes App has used over 6 million volunteers to help assist blind and partially-sighted recipients, with everything being free and anonymous. Users can request assistance in over 180 languages.

The idea was started by Danish furniture craftsman Hans Jørgen Wiberg, who is himself visually impaired. He realised that modern technology could simply help others, using the power of community and apps. Within 24 hours of launch, the app had over 10,000 users.

Speechify and Peech are two websites where you can get text read to you in speech of your choice, from an English male voice to Gwyneth Paltrow!

Financial Support and Benefits

In the UK, government schemes provide essential financial support. Blind person’s allowance is added to your yearly allowance, and can be up to a few thousands pounds. Also register for benefits, if you care for someone who is blind or partially sighted.

You can claim discounts on on your TV license if you are registered blind. One of the most bonkers rules in England is that you also get a discount as a blind person if your TV is black-and-white? Why on earth is this not free?

Telephone and Postal Benefits

Relay is a free app to help people who have difficulty using the telephone. You can register with BT Protected Services Scheme, so they have another contact to avoid cutting off your bill, in case you forget to pay. BT Home Essentials offers cheaper calls and broadband (and ask about BT Priority Repair and free BT directory enquiries).

If you’re registered blind, Royal Mail offers free postage (national and international) of books, printed materials, audio/electronic media and mobility aids. Also benefit from free loan of digital radios.

Free Books for Blind Adults and Children

wild city

Listening Books is a lending charity with 9000 books that are lended out members with sight problems (including those living in care homes). For around £20 a year, charity members pay 30% less than true costs, and free membership is available for some.

We had a quick look, and found the wonderful book Wild City, about our urban wildlife. Readers will meet the badgers of Brighton’s most exclusive postcode and black country bats, who have found havens in industrial tunnels. You can listen to a sample online.

Ellie Simmons living paintings book

Living Paintings offers touch-to-see books for children & adults. Everything is dispatched for free through RNIB’s Articles for the Blind program.

Here’s the lovely Ellie Simmonds helping out with their tactile ‘sports heroes’ book series.

Supplements to Prevent Macular Degeneration

Screen Eyes is a supplement formulated to prevent age-related macular degeneration, sold in a tin with sustainable refills. Packed with nutrition for eye health and vision, one 90-year old reviewer took this daily for 14 months after being monitored for the condition and possible glaucoma. A recent eye check-up found that one eye could read 3 rows lower than a year before.

Before taking supplements, check with GP if pregnant/nursing or you have medical conditions or are taking medication. Keep supplements away from young children & pets.

Around 80% of adults suffer from age-related macular degeneration (or digital eye strain). Also eat caretenoids (like carrots that help your eyes), spend time offline and wear sustainable sunglasses (and get a regular eye test).

Similar Posts