These apps help you navigate the world around you using GPS :
“Lend your eyes to the blind” is their tagline and Be My Eyes is very similar to BeSpecular in that the app matches a visually impaired user with a sighted volunteer. The difference is that you are connected through a live video connection and the sighted volunteer can tell the user what they see when the user points their phone at something using the rear-facing camera.
Available : IOS and Android
Cost : Free
Uses 3D audio technology to enhance your awareness of what is around you to help you get around and explore your surroundings. The app places audio cues and labels in 3D space such that they sound like they are coming from the direction of the points of interest. Stereo headset gives the directional cues. Place an audio beacon on a point of interest, you wish to track, to hear it as you move around.
Available : IOS
Cost : Free
Supersense is an assistive app that helps blind and visually impaired users to read, find objects, and explore places independently. Users can independently:
- Read texts, documents and handwriting quickly using our unique auto camera guidance system
- Locate specific objects such as a chair, door, trashcan, or person around by scanning the environment with the camera
- Explore new and unfamiliar environments and hear about the objects that are around
- Read texts on photos and PDFs from other apps. Simply share the files to Supersense and it will read it for you in seconds.
Available : IOS and Android
Cost : Free, Free trial then subscription for advance features
This app enables you to request assistance for rail travel in Great Britain, it is an extension to the in person and telephone help line to request passanger assistance. It has two functions, firstly a railway journey planner and secondly to pre-book assistance for your journey.
Available : IOS and Android
Cost : Free
Super Lidar helps the blind and visually impaired users to locate objects and people around them and understand their surroundings’ layout.
With the power of AI and the Lidar sensors, Super Lidar parses the depth of the physical space you are in and finds the objects and people in front of you. Lidar is a type of depth sensor that enhances the capabilities of augmented reality apps and serves as the eyes of self-driving cars which is now available on iPhone 12 Pro.
Super Lidar has been specifically designed for the blind and the visually impaired users who want to make sure they maintain social distance and know whether people around them are wearing masks.
Available : IOS - iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max
Cost : Free
The world has been divided into 3m square segments and each is referenced by 3 words. These words can be given to people so that they can navigate to the location, this includes emergency services. The what3words app can give you your location or link to your favourite navigation app to direct you to a 3 word address you have been given. Some hospitals and public buildings are publishing 3 word locations for entrances or services.
Available : IOS and Android
Cost : Free
UK Bus Checker brings you live bus times, smart journey planning and detailed route maps for all of Great Britain. With support for bus, train, tram, underground, ferry and more.
Real-time information is available in over 40 towns and cities, with more being added all the time. If there's no live info, Bus Checker will still display up-to-date scheduled arrivals for your stop.
Available : IOS and Android
Cost : Free
Moovit is a travel app for train, bus, tube, ferry, metro etc. Trips can be planned using a combination or transport options. Get step by step directions, real time arrival information and real time alerts for disruptions, delays etc.
For bus and train travel real time information is available from the GPS in the train or bus.
With Voiceover or Talkback enabled the app speaks announcements to indicate arrival at the destination. It counts down the stops to the destination.
Available : IOS and Android
Cost : Free
This a specialized GPS app that brings mobility tools for blind people. Using audio messages, Lazarillo will tell you about nearby places, the street you are walking on, street intersections in your way and more! Like a radio, Lazarillo will announce the places around you while you move.
Available : IOS and Android
Cost : Free
This fully accessible app was developed with the Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) to enable visually impaired people to locate Link ATMs more easily. Users can filter their search to find ATMs that have audio assistance, are free to use, belong to a specific organisation, such as your bank, and are wheelchair accessible. The app is GPS-enabled and shows you the ATMs that are closest to you on a map and also allows you to search for ATMs in other locations to help you plan ahead. Post offices are also covered.
Available : IOS and Android
Cost : Free
This an accessible GPS app, which describes the environment, announces points of interest, streets and user specified points as you travel. The most important BlindSquare functions can be accessed through an audio menu via any headset or speaker that supports Apple’s music controller. Once BlindSquare has determined your location using your phone’s GPS, it will look up information about your surroundings, for example, you could use it to find restaurants within a 200 meter radius or to find the nearest post office or the library.
Available : IOS
Cost £39.99
Whilst Warwickshire Vision Support may be able to suggest various third party websites and third party applications which may be able to assist you, those are not endorsed by Warwickshire Vision Support. Warwickshire Vision Support has no control over those third parties and cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information and support they can provide or the suitability and quality of any products or services they provide.
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