Imagine trying to make sense of a medicine bottle whose label cannot be read, attempting to determine which of two almost the same food cans one must pick, or even worse, unfamiliar surroundings finding their way around. For millions of blind and low-vision people all over the world, these everyday situations can be unbearable. That’s where Be My Eyes app comes in, using the goodness of human empathy and modern-day technology to help.
Image Credit: Diego Cervo
What is Be My Eyes?
Be My Eyes is a mobile application that connects visually impaired people with volunteers via live video calls. Hans Jorgen Wiberg created it in 2015, and since he is vision impaired, he was awarded Outstanding Self-Initiated Entrepreneur. It allows blind and low-vision users to “borrow” the eyes of volunteers at any given time when they require visual help. This beautifully elevates technology into use, solving problems in a practical and straightforward way.
The mobile application can be downloaded by iOS and Android users; presently, over 6 million sighted volunteers and nearly half a million visually impaired people use the app. The sheer scale of this community means that volunteers can be reached within 30 seconds from anywhere in the world regardless of the languages of all users.
How Does It Work?
When it comes to using Be My Eyes, it is extremely easy. The sighted person who requires help can tap on the app, click a button, and in a matter of seconds, see a helping person over a live video call. The device user brings the camera towards whatever they require assistance concerning the volunteer at the other side of the device renders support.
For example, a user can be asked how to read an expiration date on a food product, how to distinguish colors, how to use certain equipment in the house, or how to comprehend orientation in a place. The tasks can be as easy as asking a person to read a short message or as detailed as telling a person on the other end which route to take to get to a preferred place in the crowd.
The experience is equally smooth for volunteers. After they have settled the app, they get a message whenever a user with blindness or very low vision requires their help. They may choose to respond to the call, or if they are not free, the app automatically sends the request to some other volunteer.
A Beautiful Human Connection
The human aspect, for instance, is one of the most appealing features of Be My Eyes. In contrast to the usual apps or technologies based on AIs and claims to address accessibility problems, Be My Eyes uses people’s compassion and consideration instead. The amazing thing is that when two people who do not know each other meet on the internet or via video calling to assist one another, even though they live in completely different countries, a wonderful bond builds between them.
It’s not only about technical assistance; it’s about offering people, even briefly, the chance to interact with one another. Volunteers often explain how the experience rekindles or raises their mood, while visually impaired users can recall how crucial the app is as a source of support that enables them to feel accepted in society and in practical terms.
Specialized Help: Beyond Volunteers
Even though the aid of volunteers is priceless daily, Be My Eyes has introduced the Specialized Help option. This option connects users with the customer service of the companies that work with this app so that they can get the assistance they need.
For instance, software companies; Microsoft and Google have collaborated with Be My Eyes to provide app-based customer support so that visually impaired users can resolve issues faced with software or devices. It is a huge step in transforming the availability and diversity of technology for everyone.
The Impact and Global Reach
As far as its existence is concerned, Be My Eyes has evolved at a very fast rate. It’s an app available and used in over 150 countries and with support for more than 180 languages. This means that irrespective of your location, language or time zone, help is always there to be offered.
The effect that the occurrence of the app has had on visually impaired users has been very transformational. The application grants them an element of freedom as they can do things that normally would need a friend a family member or even a professional to do for them. In so doing, most of them achieve not only increased levels of independence but also greater integration with society and the outside world.
For the volunteers, this task isn’t less inspirational as well. The app can be used to effect positive change in someone’s life, and all that is needed is a few minutes out of the day, and this can be done in one’s house thus from anywhere. It’s a wonderful way of giving back and at the same time, appreciating the gifts of humanity.
Why Be My Eyes Matters
In the age of pictures, no application is as innovative as Be My Eyes because it is all about creating rather than restricting. What happens – is the help provided by the people who are involved in the app who need to make a little more effort in helping with creativity.
It doesn’t matter whether you are one of those who would benefit from some help or whether you are one of those who would want to help anyhow Be My Eyes is an app that everyone should know about. Connecting people across miles and eliminating issues of help, Be My Eyes is making an impact one phone call at a time.
Do You Wish to Become A Change Agent?
Should you wish to become part of such a wonderful global platform, you can get Be My Eyes App for free at the App Store or Google Play. If you’re seeking help or want to offer your support, you’ll be a part of a community where the best serves humanity.
Become a member of the Be My Eyes family and use your compassion to gain an understanding of the world around you.