Apps for the Sight Impaired

Mobile devices can assist those with sight impairment in many different ways. Today I am going to highlight some apps that provide that can assist those with sight impairment.


LookTel Money Reader recognizes currency and speaks the denomination. This app assists users with visual impairment recognize and count bills. By pointing the camera at the currency the app speaks the amount and displays the denomination in a high-contrast font. The app recognizes 21 different currencies. This app is free and is available on iOS (Apple) devices.

LookTel Money Reader Website: http://www.looktel.com/moneyreader
LookTel App in the App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nantmobile-money-reader/id417476558?mt=8


EyeNote is a similar app created by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing that also recognizes currency but only from the United States. It is also free and available for iOS (Apple) devices.

EyeNote Website: http://www.moneyfactory.gov/currencyidmobileapps.html
EyeNote in the App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/eyenote/id405336354?mt=8


IDEAL U.S. Currency Identifier was created in part by the Department of Education. This also recognizes and identifies U.S. currency audibly and visually. It is free and available for Android devices.
IDEAL U.S. Currency Identifier in Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.ideal.currencyid&hl=en


LookTel Recognizer can recognize everyday items. It speaks and displays text about the item. It can also use the barcode of many items to audibly explain what the product is to the user. The app costs $9.99 and is available for iOS (Apple) devices.

LookTel Recognizer Website: http://www.looktel.com/recognizer
LookTel in the App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/looktel-recognizer/id501088555?ls=1&mt=8


KNFB Reader scans documents and then reads it aloud or can provide the text using a Braille display. This app uses some amazing technology and does a number of complicated tasks to quickly translate the printed word into speech or Braille. The app provides assistance to users to help them scan. It allows users to import or export documents. It works for multiple formats and languages. The app is $99.99 and is available for iOS (Apple) and Android.

KNFB Reader Website: http://knfbreader.com/

KNFB Reader Overview Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti0vd78D-AI

KNFB Reader in the App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/knfbreader/id849732663?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

KNFB Reader in the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sensotec.knfbreader


Bonus: A while back I suggested the app Duolingo. It's free and helps users learn a foreign language. It's still one of my favorite apps and I still use it each day to work on my Spanish. They added a new feature to the iOS (Apple) version of the app, the feature is a chat bot that allows you to practice the language conversationally. This article has some pictures and explains a little more in-depth https://www.engadget.com/2016/10/06/duolingo-language-learning-chatbots/

Government Apps

NASA (Free. iOS and Android) Beautiful pictures of space and full of facts this app would be a great tool for children and teens doing a report or for adults looking to stay current on NASA news.

Ask Karen (Free. iOS, Android, and web) Created by the Department of Agriculture this app allows users to ask questions such as: “How long can food last in a power failure,” or  “How can I tell if a restaurant has adequately cooked my fish?” or even “How can you tell which cantaloupes are fresh in the store?” and the app will return helpful information. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., a food safety expert is on hand to answer any questions you might have about food and food safety. Since many people die from food poisoning it can literally save a life.

http://askkaren.custhelp.com/

National Cancer Institute (Free. iOS, Android, Blackberry, and web)The app has a detailed dictionary of cancer terms, topics and up-to-date research. It gives users helpful advice about what to ask their doctor in the event of a cancer diagnosis, and can suggest new treatment plans that your general practitioner may not know of yet.

http://m.cancer.gov/

iUSAJobs (iOS) USAJOBS(Android) This free app created by the Office of Personnel Management lists the open positions with in all branches of the Federal Government. The app requires users to register on the  website first and then login to the app. The app will save job searches, send customized notifications, and keep track of applications users have started or finished.

http://www.usajobs.gov

My TSA (Free. iOS, Android, and web) Can I bring ____? Allows users to ask if a specific item is allowed through security. The complete guide is available along with videos, TSA PreCheck information, airport status, estimated wait time, and feedback. Easy-to-use with useful information and an intuitive user interface, a very nice looking and well functioning app.

http://apps.tsa.dhs.gov/mytsa/

WISER Wireless Information For Emergency Responders (Free. iOS, Android, and Blackberry) WISER is really designed for hazmat teams and other first responders who would most likely be trained before using it. A searchable application with information it explains how to handle hazardous material. For example users could look up how to safely handle and dispose of radioactive Cesium. It can also be used to find what symptoms to look for when determining whether people have been exposed to a certain toxin. There is access to the Hazardous Substances Databank maintained by the National Library of Medicine. A lot of information that can be found, it asks what type of user is accessing the app so that it can tailor the user interface to be of best use. It has a section to help plan for different emergency situations.

FBI's Most Wanted (Free. iOS only)  Lets users see the 10 most wanted fugitives in the country, get information about missing children, see alerts by state and even submit tips to the FBI.

Alternative Fueling Station Locator (Free. iOS only) Created by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the app is designed to help the public find fueling stations that offer electricity, natural gas, biodiesel, E85, propane, or hydrogen. Using information from the Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center, which houses a database of the locations of more than 15,000 alternative fueling stations throughout the US.

Ladder Safety (Free. iOS and Android) Created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the app aim to keep extension-ladder users safe. The app has a great interactive feature that uses visual and audio signals to assist users in positioning an extension ladder at a safe angle. The app also gives users graphic-oriented interactive reference materials, safety guidelines, and an extension ladder checklist which includes topics such as: selection, inspection, and accessorizing.

IDEAL Currency Identifier (Free. Android only) This Department of Education  app is designed for people with vision problems. The app uses advanced image recognition technology to read a bill and provide an audible response indicating the bill's denomination. Users must enable text-to-speech, after the start-up banner load the user must dismiss it, on first use allow 30-45 seconds to load and update, and it can have problems with mangled bills. It can identify Identify the following notes:  $1 (1963 - present); $2 notes (1976 - present); $5 notes (1993 - present); and, $10, $20, $50, and $100 notes (1990 - present). Just position the bill under the phone's camera, does not need an Internet connection.

FCC Speed Test (Free. iOS and Android) The app allows users to accurately see the performance of their broadband connection. It provides an in-depth view of all performance factors, including download and upload speeds, latency, and packet loss. Speed Test runs periodically in the background and automatically performs tests when the smartphone is not in use (users can limit how much data it uses a month in its testing). The FCC has stated that the gathered data is anonymous and is used to build a map of mobile broadband performance across the country.

Recalls.gov (Free. Android only)  Users can see all the recalls from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Agriculture. Users can access drop down menus to navigate to a product category or search by keywords. There are pictures of the recalled products and instructions for what to do or who to contact. Consumers can make a safety complaint with the "Report Incident" feature.

I chose to focus on apps that were "native" meaning that the information is accessed through a program "application" downloaded to a mobile device. I also decided to focus on apps that were interesting or useful to most people. There is a list of all the apps created by different federal government agencies, both mobile web and native, are available at: 

http://www.usa.gov/mobileapps.shtml