Be My Eyes
What it does:
Gives you instant visual assistance through AI or live volunteers. Point your camera at something and get a description, ask questions about what you're looking at, or get help navigating spaces.
Cost:
Free (iPhone and Android)
How to set it up:
1. Download "Be My Eyes" from the App Store or Google Play
2. Open the app
3. Tap "Sign Up"
4. Select "I need visual assistance" (or "Blind or low vision")
5. Create an account with your email or sign in with Apple/Google
6. Allow camera and microphone access when asked
How to use Be My AI (instant help):
1. Open the app
2. Tap "Be My AI" at the bottom
3. Tap the camera button to take a photo
4. Wait a few seconds—the AI will describe what it sees
5. Ask follow-up questions by typing or tapping the microphone to speak
(Example: "What color is the shirt?" or "Is there an expiration date?")
6. Take another photo anytime by tapping the camera icon again
How to call a volunteer (live human help):
1. Open the app
2. Tap "Call a Volunteer" from the home screen
3. Wait a few seconds to connect (usually under 30 seconds)
4. The volunteer sees your camera feed and can guide you
5. Talk to them like you would a friend helping you out
6. Tap "End Call" when you're done
Try it for: Reading mail, checking if food is expired, matching clothes, finding dropped items, navigating unfamiliar buildings, or reading handwritten notes.
Seeing AI
What it does:
Microsoft's AI app that reads text instantly, describes scenes and people, identifies products, and recognizes currency. Works fast and some features work offline.
Cost:
Free (iPhone only)
How to set it up:
1. Download "Seeing AI" from the App Store
2. Open the app
3. Allow camera access when asked
4. The app opens in "Short Text" mode by default—it's ready to use right away
How to switch between modes:
1. Swipe left or right anywhere on the screen to change modes
2. Or tap the mode name at the bottom to see all options
The modes and how to use them:
Short Text:
1. Point your camera at text (a sign, label, or screen)
2. It reads automatically as soon as it sees words—no need to tap anything
Document:
1. Hold your camera over a full page
2. Listen for audio cues like "move up" or "hold steady"
3. When aligned, it takes a photo automatically
4. The app reads the whole document out loud
Person:
1. Point your camera at a person
2. It describes their approximate age, gender, and facial expression
3. To save someone's face for recognition, go to Settings > Person Recognition
Currency:
1. Hold a US bill in front of the camera
2. It announces the denomination ($1, $5, $20, etc.)
Scene:
1. Point your camera at a scene
2. Tap the screen to take a photo
3. The AI describes what's happening in the image
Handwriting:
1. Point at handwritten text like notes or greeting cards
2. Tap the screen to capture
3. It reads the handwriting aloud
Works offline: Short Text mode doesn't need internet—useful when you don't have cell service.
Otter.ai
What it does:
Transcribes conversations in real time with high accuracy. Great for meetings, appointments, or lectures when you need a written record.
Cost:
Free for 300 minutes/month (iPhone, Android, and web at otter.ai)
How to set it up:
1. Download "Otter" from the App Store or Google Play
(Or go to otter.ai in your web browser)
2. Open the app
3. Tap "Sign Up"
4. Create a free account with your email
5. Allow microphone access when asked
How to record and transcribe:
1. Open the Otter app
2. Tap the blue Record button at the bottom
3. Set your phone near the person speaking (or use it in a meeting)
4. Watch the transcript appear in real time as people talk
5. Tap Stop when finished
6. Your transcript is saved automatically—find it on the home screen
Tips for better transcripts:
• Place your phone on the table between speakers, screen facing up
• In noisy places, hold the phone closer to the person talking
• Tap on any word in the transcript to hear the audio from that moment
• Use the search bar to find specific words across all your transcripts
Try it for: Doctor appointments (so you can review what they said later), work meetings, classes, interviews, or any important conversation.
Tips for Getting the Most from AI Tools
Take good photos:
• Make sure there's enough light
• Hold the camera steady
• Get close enough that text fills most of the frame
Ask follow-up questions:
If the AI's first answer isn't what you need, ask for more details. For example: "What color is it?" or "Can you read the small print at the bottom?"
Try different apps for different tasks:
• Be My Eyes is great for complex scenes and getting human help
• Seeing AI is fastest for quick text reading
• Otter is best for long conversations you need to remember
Privacy note: Don't share passwords, Social Security numbers, or very sensitive personal info with AI tools. They're helpful, but treat them like talking to a helpful stranger—share what's needed, not more.
Getting Help in California
If you're in California and need help getting a phone or learning to use these tools, California Connect provides free devices and training for people with disabilities. Visit caconnect.org or call 1-800-806-1191 (Voice/VP) or 1-800-806-4474 (TTY).
