If you’re blind or have low vision, AI can help you “see” the world through voice or text commands. Here’s how:
Voice Prompts for Visual Assistance
- What It Is: Use your voice to ask AI to describe images, read text, or guide you. Many apps work on basic smartphones, and some offline.
- Example: In Ghana, a blind woman named Akosua uses an AI app called Be My Eyes. She says, “Describe this image in detail,” and the app explains a photo of her medicine bottle, including the label.
- Prompts to Try:
- “Describe this image in detail.” (For photos or objects.)
- “Read this document aloud slowly.” (For letters or books.)
- “What’s in front of me?” (For real-time camera descriptions.)
- Tools: Be My Eyes (free, works online), Envision AI (offline mode available).
Navigation Help
- What It Is: AI can guide you using landmarks or sounds, perfect for rural or urban areas.
- Example: In South Africa, a visually impaired man named Thabo says, “Give me step-by-step directions using landmarks,” and his AI app tells him, “Walk 10 steps, turn left at the big tree.”
- Prompts to Try:
- “Give me directions to the nearest clinic using landmarks.”
- “Warn me about obstacles ahead.”
- Tools: Google Maps (voice navigation), Lazarillo (accessible navigation app).
Reading Assistance
- What It Is: AI can read text aloud and explain hard words, helping you access books, signs, or forms.
- Example: In Ethiopia, a student named Dawit uses Voice Dream Reader to say, “Read this document slowly and explain difficult words,” making his textbooks easier to understand.
- Prompts to Try:
- “Read this page aloud.”
- “Explain the word ‘contract’ in simple terms.”
- Tools: Voice Dream Reader (offline), Google Assistant (online).
Offline Backup
- What It Is: Download audio libraries or apps that work without internet.
- Example: In rural Zimbabwe, a library offers downloadable audio files of books read by AI, which users like Sarah store on their phones.
- How to Start: Ask local libraries or NGOs for offline apps or audio files.