Thanks to rapid advancements in technology, smartphones have become powerful tools to support blind and low vision individuals. Today’s apps go far beyond basic screen readers—they use artificial intelligence, real-time video, and smart navigation to help users read, explore, and interact with the world around them. Whether you’re a tech-savvy user or just starting your accessibility journey, these apps are designed to empower, inform, and connect. It is important to mention that before downloading any apps try out your phone’s accessibility features. Please see the links below for further information on these features for vison.
Apple Accessibility features /Vision
Android Accessibility features/ Vision
Platform: iOS & Android, Be My Eyes is expanding into wearable tech, including integration with Meta’s smart glasses
Best for: Real-time visual assistance
Cost : Free
Be My Eyes is a free mobile app designed to support blind and low-vision individuals by connecting them with sighted volunteers and company representatives through live video. In 2023, the app introduced Be My AI, a revolutionary feature powered by artificial intelligence that provides instant visual descriptions without needing a human volunteer. Users can take a photo or point their camera at an object, and Be My AI will instantly describe the scene, read text, identify objects, and more. If AI can’t help, users can connect with a global network of volunteers or company support teams for real-time assistance. It is available in 150 countries, supports 180 + languages. Be My Eyes app has now got over one million blind or visually impaired users and over ten million sighted volunteers, with all interactions anonymous. Volunteers only hear your voice and see what you choose to share via your camera.
Platform: iOS & Android
Best for: Describing surroundings and reading text
Cost: Free
Seeing AI is a free mobile app developed by Microsoft that uses artificial intelligence to narrate the world for people who are blind or have low vision. Designed to be intuitive and versatile, it turns your smartphone into a powerful accessibility tool that can read text, identify objects, recognise faces, and describe scenes, all in real time. Seeing AI uses your phone’s camera to narrate the world around you. It can read printed and handwritten text, identify currency, recognise faces and emotions, and describe scenes. These features are organised into “channels” that users can easily switch between depending on their task
Platform: iOS & Android & Envision is also available on wearable devices like the Envision Glasses and have just launched the Ally solo glasses.
Best for: Reading, object recognition, and scene description
Cost : App free
Envision AI is a powerful mobile app designed to assist blind and low-vision users by interpreting the visual world through artificial intelligence. Developed by Envision Technologies, the app uses advanced OCR (Optical Character Recognition) and computer vision to read text, recognise faces, describe scenes and identify objects, all through your smartphone camera. Envision AI turns your smartphone into a powerful visual interpreter. It also has a companion feature where you can add a trusted friend or family member to be your eyes. The app supports multiple languages and has its own AI assistant called Ally.
Google Lookout
Platform: Android – Google play store
Best for: Describing surroundings and reading text
Cost: Free
The Google lookout app is a free Android app that uses the phone’s camera and sensors to interpret the individual’s world. It provides spoken feedback about text, objects, images, food labels, currency and surroundings, helping users navigate daily tasks with greater independence. Text Mode: Instantly reads short text in view, ideal for signs, labels, and quick notes. It also guides users with instructions like “move top left” or “hold still” for optimal capture when scanning pages or full documents. It describes photos taken with the camera or shared from other apps and it supports over 30 languages.
Ray-Ban Meta Glasses & App
Platform: Meta
Best for: Hands free option
Cost: Starting at €329
Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, although not an app, they are worth mentioning here as they are fast becoming a great option for those that want an off the shelf hands-free option. These AI-powered smart glasses integrate Meta AI and voice control, offering users real-time spoken descriptions of their surroundings, you can take send or post photos and videos hands-free as well as send messages and make calls via voice commands. The AI-powered assistance can help with navigation & object recognition and with the Seeing AI app integration, if AI isn’t helping you can connect with volunteers to assist you.
If you require further information, please contact Vision Ireland.
Website: https://vi.ie/
Vision Ireland Infoline: 1800 911 250