Useful applications for people with visual acuity deficits

In a world where technology is increasingly shaping how we interact and how we perceive the environment, digital accessibility remains a crucial issue in order to guarantee the same rights and freedoms for all. This is even more true for people suffering from visual disability. In France, 1.7 million people are affected by vision disorder (source: https://aveuglesdefrance.org/) and count on progress in order to be able to regain ease and confidence in their daily actions.

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Mobile applications, far from being a simple alternative to boredom, then become vital extensions, giving back their abilities and senses to those who are deprived of them. Thanks to the latest technical achievements, new horizons are emerging and offer the prospects for a fairer, more equitable, and above all more inclusive society.

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According to a recent study conducted in September 2023 by Agefiph and Ifop, the level of use of digital tools among people with disabilities is comparable to that observed in the general population. Smartphones and applications benefit 80% and 79% respectively from a good image among the sample interviewed.

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So what tools can the visually impaired rely on? Which ones allow for greater autonomy, and in what area exactly? This is what we are going to discuss in a concrete way in this article, through themes such as navigation and object recognition, communication and social interaction, or even easier access to information and reading.

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Throughout these lines, you will discover how applications are designed to enrich the quality of life of their users, and give them (re) confidence in interactions with the outside world.

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Applications dedicated to navigation and object recognition

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In the quest for autonomy and independence, navigation and object recognition applications play a decisive role for visually impaired people. Numerous applications perfectly illustrate how technology can alleviate visual deficiencies through innovative and intuitive solutions.

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• ‍Google Maps with Accessibility : Although Google Maps is not specifically designed for people with poor eyesight, it offers very robust accessibility features. The app offers detailed voice directions, vibrant alerts, and compatibility with screen readers like VoiceOver (iOS) and TalkBack (Android). An additional advantage, Google Maps integrates with other Google services, and has a wide geographic coverage as well as advanced features such as pedestrian routes or real-time information on public transport.

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• ‍OpenWay : Exploring the world is sometimes not an easy task for able-bodied people, so for those who no longer or almost no longer have the use of sight it seems even more insurmountable. To date, only 5% of the visually impaired or blind enjoy outdoor life! This is what Gérard Muller, president of the YVOIR association who participated in the development of the OpenWay tool. This GPS application on a smartphone allows a visually impaired user to be able to follow an itinerary independently in the city (with the “urban” mode) or in the countryside (with the “hiking” mode). The specificity of this so-called “inertial” application allows in particular the blind user to always have the right direction indications even in the event of an unexpected change of orientation of the person.

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• ‍WeWalk : More than an application, this complete solution revolutionizes the navigation of visually impaired people thanks to an intelligent locomotion rod! Developed by Kursat Ceylan (CEO, visually impaired engineer and co-founder of the Turkish association “Young Guru Academy”), this new mobility companion is currently the most advanced on the market. La Smart Cane 2 is equipped with speakers, voice assistant, and sensors. In particular, it makes it possible to communicate with a conversational AI, informs about available public transport options and offers real-time assistance with a support service. Capable of detecting obstacles and alerting its users through immediate haptic and acoustic feedback, the Smart Cane 2 is a true symbol of independence and empowerment.

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• ‍Aipoly Vision : Revolutionary in its ability to visually interpret the environment, Aipoly Vision is an application that uses artificial intelligence to allow the visually impaired to recognize objects and texts in real time. By using their smartphone camera, users can then receive audio descriptions of what is around them, whether it is colors, faces or signs. And this solution is not limited to identification; since it also provides contexts and explanations that enrich the understanding of the immediate environment, thus facilitating daily movements and interactions. Developed by Eyes Road, Aipoly Vision also stands out for its simplified user interface that makes its technology accessible to everyone.

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• ‍SeeInGai : This innovative mobile application, developed by Microsoft, was specially designed to help blind or partially sighted people understand and interact with the world around them using artificial intelligence (AI). Among the available functionalities, it is possible to identify and remember people via facial recognition (and even transcribe their age, gender, and emotional state), describe scenes by providing information on the color of objects or the level of ambient light, recognize and describe a product using its bar code, identify the different types of currencies. Widely praised for its positive impact in the lives of people with visual disabilities, the app is updated regularly to take advantage of all the benefits that various technological advancements in AI offer.

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These diverse applications act as true life partners that transform the daily experience of visually impaired people, allowing them to tame the world more confidently and effectively.

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Applications dedicated to communication and social interaction

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Dialoguing, exchanging, interacting with others are principles inherent to our condition on Earth regardless of our differences in language, culture, age, or disability. But with the advent of digital technology, which sometimes leads to social isolation and a lack of human interaction, how can we not fear that this will accentuate the already existing divide between the sighted and the visually impaired? In order to go against this preconceived idea, applications such as Be My Eyes and VoiceOver have made the bet to innovate in this area.

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• ‍Be My Eyes : This innovative application of linking, creates a bridge between people with vision problems and volunteers from around the world, using their phone cameras. With a simple click, users can connect in real time with a volunteer who sees through the lens for them and provides visual assistance. Whether it's to read an expiration date on a product, distinguish the colors of a garment, or even explore new places, Be My Eyes provides an immediate solution to numerous daily challenges.

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• VoiceOver & TalkBack : Integrated into all iOS and Android devices respectively, these screen readers allow the visually impaired to navigate independently on their phone. By describing what's displayed on a smartphone aloud, VoiceOver and TalkBack help users send messages, use apps, read emails, and browse the web. Intuitive gesture controls are designed to easily select, activate, and navigate items on the screen without ever needing to view the content. These tools are essential for access to information and active participation in a digital society.

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• ‍AirChat : A new social network in fashion across the Atlantic, this very young platform whose concept is based on voice and the exchange of voice messages, can be interesting for visually impaired people. Impossible to write with the keyboard, the entire application and its functions are centered on an audio approach. The AI can also transcribe users' voice notes verbatim, in order to publish them in a traditional news feed. Offering a more immersive and immediate experience, AirChat differs from social audio applications such as ClubHouse, TwiterSpace or Discord by its vocation to reintroduce more lightness and understanding into exchanges. No more, the endless audio description of emojis, gifs or memes! Very popular in the United States, however, you must be sponsored by an AirChat user to access the social network; it therefore remains to be seen whether the craze for this application will extend beyond the American continent.

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Together, Be My Eyes, VoiceOver, TalkBack and AirChat demonstrate that technology can be at the service of everyone, especially for people with disabilities. It has no obstacles but only challenges to overcome!

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Applications dedicated to reading and accessing information

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Access to information and culture, fundamental for all, is a major challenge for people with visual impairment. Fortunately, applications such as Audible, Darwin Reader, Voice Dream Reader or Vocale Press have been developed to overcome these difficulties, offering adaptive reading solutions that are transforming the way the visually impaired access written content.

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• Darwin Reader : Specifically developed to meet the needs of people with visual disabilities, Darwin Reader allows its users to download books and other documents in Daisy format (Digital Accessible Information System), optimized for accessibility. Thanks to a speech synthesis clear and natural, this application makes reading long documents not only possible but also enjoyable. Users can navigate through different sections of the book, bookmark pages, and adjust reading speed for a completely personalized experience. Offered by Eyes Road, Darwin Reader is more than just a reading app; it's an open door to education and entertainment for those who can't use more traditional paper books.‍

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• Voice Dream Reader : With its intuitive user interface and advanced features, Voice Dream Reader is a powerful tool for reading digital texts. This application supports a wide range of file formats, including PDF, Word, and ePub, and offers a selection of high-quality synthetic voices for an optimal listening experience. Users can customize text display, voice choice, and speech speed to tailor narration to their specific preferences. By making digital texts accessible and easily navigable, Voice Dream Reader contributes significantly to the autonomy and inclusion of the visually impaired in the digital world.‍

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• Vocale Presse : This audio reading service allows people whose sight is reduced, poor or blind, to listen to the content or enlarge the characters of numerous newspapers, daily newspapers and other magazines. More than 80 titles are available from the day they are published, in order to stay up to date with the news despite the disability. And contrary to what one might think of it, this transcription solution is no more expensive than a standard paper subscription. In addition, the software can be installed very easily on any existing digital medium!

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These applications also demonstrate that technology can create new standards, removing the concept of barriers in favor of easier access to information for visually impaired people, who are then able to immerse themselves in the world of books and printed documents.

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Impact and future of applications for the visually impaired

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Apps for the visually impaired have not only transformed the daily lives of many people, but they have also laid the groundwork for a more inclusive society. The impact of these technologies on the autonomy and quality of life of users is undeniable. They make it possible to carry out daily tasks with greater independence, to participate actively in the community and to overcome obstacles that were once insurmountable.

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These digital developments have also initiated an inescapable dialogue on the needs and rights of people with disabilities, leading to continuous innovations and constant improvements in the field of digital accessibility. The trend is also towards the integration ofartificial intelligence and machine learning to make applications even more intuitive and responsive to the specific needs of people with visual disabilities.

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In addition, collaborations between web developers and organizations for the rights of persons with disabilities are shaping even more targeted and effective solutions. Future innovations are expected to focus on even better integrated interfaces, such as augmented reality and smart wearables, which will continue to reduce barriers and enrich everyday interactions.

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Conclusion

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Mobile applications for the visually impaired have proven that they are much more than just technological assistants; they are real instruments in the service of equality for all. By allowing everyone to be autonomous and independent, they transcend the challenges of disability, offering hope for inclusion and fairer participation in today's society. Through innovations in navigation, communication, and access to information, these tools allow those who live with visual limitations to explore and enjoy their daily lives more freely.

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Each of us should therefore support the development of these technologies and promote their usefulness, not only to improve the lives of the visually impaired, but also to enrich our global community. Like Magic Sight, let's move forward together to a future where each person has the means to connect, explore, and thrive beyond what's possible.

Availability of applications, depending on Android or IOS operating systems

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