Living with visual impairment presents many challenges, but advances in assistive technology can help. Fortunately, if you start a search online today, you can explore six assistive tech devices that provide vision improvements.
These tech innovations range from specialized mobile apps to smart glasses, providing crucial vision improvements that are transforming daily life for the visually impaired. Read on to explore the devices that are helping millions of Americans!
1. Braille E-Readers: Literacy at Your Fingertips
Braille e-readers are digital devices that allow visually impaired users to read texts in Braille format. They transform digital text into tactile Braille cells, providing instant accessibility to books, articles, and web content.
One popular Braille e-reader is the Orbit Reader 20. It’s a compact and portable device that allows users to read digital Braille text. 1 This device is available through specialized stores such as the American Printing House for the Blind or through online retailers like Amazon.
These gadgets are compact and portable, allowing users to carry a library wherever they go. If literacy and reading are important to you, consider looking into Braille e-readers to understand their capabilities and features.
2. Smart Glasses: Seeing the World in a New Light
Smart glasses come with cameras and advanced software to provide real-time information to the wearer. These glasses can recognize faces, objects, and even read out text, providing essential vision improvements for the visually impaired.
An example of smart glasses for the visually impaired is OrCam MyEye. By clipping this device onto your regular glasses, it can read out text, identify products, and even recognize faces. 2 It is available for purchase through the OrCam website or specialized assistive technology stores.
The technology is evolving quickly, making these devices increasingly sophisticated and user-friendly. If you’re interested in wearable technology, smart glasses could be a topic worth diving into.
3. Voice-Activated Home Assistants: The Power of Speech
Voice-activated home assistants like Amazon’s Alexa or Google’s Assistant are now fully equipped to serve those with visual impairments. They can read news, manage schedules, and control smart home devices through vocal commands.
Vision improvements are not just about sight; they extend to better engagement and interaction with the world. For those who wish to explore more, various brands offer specialized features tailored for visual impairments.
4. Mobile Apps: Accessibility in Your Pocket
Numerous mobile apps are designed specifically for the visually impaired. Features range from real-time navigation assistance to color identification and money recognition. These apps provide useful vision improvements by transforming a regular smartphone into an invaluable assistive device.
An example of a useful mobile app is Be My Eyes, which connects visually impaired users with sighted volunteers for help with tasks. 3 This app is free to download from the App Store for iPhones and Google Play for Android phones. For more mobile apps tailored for visual impairments, you can explore the respective app stores or look for recommendations online.
5. GPS and Navigation Systems: Guiding the Way
Modern GPS systems designed for the visually impaired offer far more than just basic directions. These devices provide detailed route descriptions, warn of potential obstacles, and even offer public transit options. Vision improvements have extended to navigation, making it easier to venture out independently and confidently.
The Trekker Breeze is a handheld talking GPS device tailored for the visually impaired. It can be purchased through HumanWare’s website or through vendors specializing in assistive technology. For those intrigued, a quick search online will reveal various specialized GPS devices and their features.
6. Auditory Guidance Systems: Sound as Your Guide
Auditory guidance systems use sound cues to help visually impaired people navigate spaces or perform tasks. These systems emit different types of auditory signals to indicate directions, warn of obstacles, or provide information about the environment.
An example of an auditory guidance system is the Wayband, a wrist-wearable device that provides audio cues for navigation. This device is available directly from the manufacturer’s website or from stores that specialize in assistive technology. The utility of sound in providing vision improvements is only now being fully realized, as these systems become more refined and integrated into mainstream products.
Vision Improvements Can Give You a New Lease on Life
As technology continues to evolve, so do the ways in which it can enhance the lives of visually impaired Americans. Devices are becoming more accessible, affordable, and user-friendly, opening up a world of opportunities and making vision improvements more attainable than ever.
With some online research, you can determine which of these assistive tech devices can best support your visual goals. These advancements not only aim to fulfill basic needs but also offer the prospect of a more engaged and independent lifestyle.
