Technology can be a powerful tool for independence and accessibility. Here is a list of helpful phone apps designed to support people with vision loss in everyday tasks like communication, navigation, reading, and organization. Whether you’re new to accessible tech or looking to try something new, these tools are here to make life a little easier.
Blind and Visually Impaired Specific
ACB Link: Only available on Apple iOS. American Council of the Blind is an advocacy organization with some good resources including state affiliate info and radio broadcasts on various topics.
AiPoly: Real-time identification of objects, colors, text, and landmarks (free with in-app purchases).
Alt Text Generator: Makes images accessible by creating detailed descriptions using AI technology. Only available for Apple iOS.
Argus Peripheral Recognizer: Real-time object and scene detection. Uses machine learning to recognize common objects and scenes. It tells you what it sees and where you are. Only available for Apple iOS.
Aria Explorer connects people who are blind or low-vision to professional visual interpreters for secure access to visual information, anytime, anywhere.
Be My Eyes: Provides sighted assistance on demand from volunteers. It’s very similar to FaceTime on the iPhone.
BLIND Objects & Color Detector: Recognizes objects and colors. Only available for Apple iOS.
CapBot: Describes pictures using AI for Android
Claro MagX: App that turns an Apple device into a powerful visual magnifier. Makes small text in books and newspapers readable. Offers a wide range of magnification, high-contrast and color viewing options to make text easier on the eyes.
Dragon Anywhere: Dragon dictation software. Download for Android. Download for Apple.
DigitEyes: Barcode identification for Apple iOS.
EyeNote: Currency identification app from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (free).
Genim AI Image Description: Generate image descriptions instantly with AI. Only available for Apple iOS.
HearLight: A fusion of art, accessibility, and sensory expansion developed specially for blind users. HearLight transforms brightness, saturation and hue into sound. It lets you explore light, colors, and your environment by hearing how they change. Only available for Apple iOS.
PiccyBot: Use to convert photos and videos into spoken descriptions, ask follow-up questions about the image or video to get more specific information, and zoom in for specific details. Download for Android. Download for Apple.
Seeing Al: Provides descriptions of text or facial recognition. Only available for Apple iOS.
Sero: Serotek software app. If you are subscribed to Serotek products, you can access movies, podcasts, articles, resources etc.
ScribeMe: Real-time AI video assistant made for blind and visually impaired users. Helps to find objects, read text, navigate unfamiliar places, and understand surroundings. Download for Android. Download for Apple.
Transportation
Amtrak: Book train reservations.
Flush: Quickly find public restrooms (free with adds). Download for Android. Download for Apple.
Greyhound: Book bus reservations.
Lyft: Affordable and efficient transportation.
Moovit: Updated fixed bus route schedules and directions based on addresses you input.
Transit: Accurate bus gps.
Uber: Convenient and affordable transportation.
Wanderu: Compare and book bus and train travel deals in the US and Europe (free).
Navigation
BlindSquare: It’s a type of GPS that describes what is around you. For Apple iOS.
Lazarillo: Announces places around you as you travel past them.
Nearby Explorer: Announces places around you as you travel past them.
Rome2Rio: Discover how to get anywhere using various modes of transportation (free)
Whereami: Provides the exact address you are located at. This is great in emergency situations or if you are lost. Download for Android. Download for Apple.
Reading
Bard Mobile: Download and read NLS Talking books (free). Download for Android. Download for Apple iOS.
Capti: Text to speech app.
EasyReader: A free accessible reading app. Browse and download from the world’s largest collection of talking book and newspaper libraries. Open your own DAISY, ePub or text books or copy text from anywhere on your phone and have it read back to you.
KNFBReader: Converts text to speech or text to Braille. Download for Android. Download for Apple.
Learning Ally: Educational books in DAISY format (requires annual membership).
NFB-Newsline: Provides various newspaper content, tv listings and more. Download for Android. Download for Apple.
Prismo Go: Read printed materials, and save/share files (free). For Apple iOS.
Speaky: Reads articles aloud from links you input.
Talking Goggles: Read text in real-time (free with adds)
Voice Dream Suite: Includes Voice Dream Reader, Writer and Scanner for printed materials. $19.99. For Apple iOS.
Dolphin EasyReader: Millions of books, including classic literature, the latest bestsellers, non-fiction, newspapers, textbooks and children’s books are all available to read in accessible formats. Check out up to ten titles at a time. Download for Android. Download for Apple.
VibraBraille: Turns written text into tactile Braille that you can feel on the screen. It is designed for blind and sighted users alike, providing an innovative way to explore and understand Braille through haptic feedback. Only available for Apple iOS.
Shopping
Amazon: Shopping on Amazon. If you are Amazon Prime member you can order nonperishable items delivered to you within hours. You can also order food delivery from local restaurants. It’s great if you are sick and can’t get out to get soup or water or OTC medication. Download for Android. Download for Apple.
BlindBargains: Offers discounted prices on technology and other blindness related items.
Instacart: A grocery delivery subscription service. Download for Android. Download for Apple.
Publix: Make grocery lists from the Publix weekly ads.
Health
Blood Pressure Companion: Track your blood pressure, heart rate and weight. For Apple iOS.
CalorieKing: For those that need to keep track of calories when they grocery shop or go out to eat.
MyDiabetes: Diabetes management tracker. Download for Android. Download for Apple.
Health: You can input your medical information for emergency situations or if you are unable to remember all of your medications. For Apple iOS.
Heart Rate: You can test your heart rate. For Apple iOS.
Icare Health Monitor: This app has various features to monitor your health.
Medscape: Extensive info about medications and health conditions.
MyNetDiary: Diabetes management app.
Mysugr: Diabetes management app.
Local Resources
ATIA Events: This is the app for the Assistive Technology Industry Association conference that is held in Orlando every January.
Meetup: Listings of various interest groups to become more social and integrated in the community.
Orlando News 96.5: Most accurate local news and weather reports. Download for Android. Download for Apple.
Nextdoor: Neighborhood contacts, resources and happenings around your local neighborhood. Download for Android. Download for Apple.
Finance
Credit Karma: Provides free credit and accurate credit scores. You can also do your taxes for free though their website. Download for Android. Download for Apple.
Employment
EF Mobile: Employ Florida mobile app. Download for Android. Download for Apple.
Goodwill: Provides info on all Goodwill locations near you. Download for Android. Download for Apple.
Indeed Jobs: Provides job listings that you can apply for through the app.
JobServe: Provides job listings that you can apply for through the app.
LinkedIn: Professional networking tool.
Snagajob: Provides job listings that you can apply for through the app. Download for Android. Download for Apple.
Games
Land of Livia: A mobile RPG game. Travel around a countryside completing quests and building up your character. Includes VoiceOver Support for every menu, quest and interaction; adjustable font sizes for low-vision players, AI-Powered Assistance for intelligent navigation, inventory management, and gameplay guidance accessible via Siri Shortcuts; and immersive sound design and haptic feedback. The original soundtrack is composed by Land of Livia player Rocco Berenato, a blind composer. Only available on Apple iOS. Free to play with one time purchase to unlock entire game.
TableX: Classic board and card games for the visually impaired. Fully accessible with screen readers (TalkBack, VoiceOver). Download for Android. Download for Apple.
HomeQuest – Idle Adventure: Blends town-building, resource management, and army recruitment into a charming and fully accessible experience where you grow a settlement, expand your economy, and lead warriors on mythic adventures. App is free to download and offers in-app purchases. Download for Android. Download for Apple.
Food
Grubhub: Food delivery app. Download for Apple. Download for Android.
UberEats: Food delivery app. Download for Apple. Download for Android.
Weather
Dark Sky: Will notify you when it is going to rain in your location.
Notetaking
Evernote: Allows users to take notes, capture photos, create to-do lists, record voice reminders and make these notes completely searchable. Basic storage is free, but a larger storage will require a subscription.
Just Press Record: For Apple iOS. This app takes place of a digital recorder. You can record anything for any length of time. You can save and rename files as well. You can also save content to iCloud.
Keeper: Where you can safely store all of your passwords.