Can the visually impaired, the blind, the hard of hearing and the deaf also use a smartphone? Yes, with some adjustments and extra actions that is certainly possible. In this article, we discuss the standard options of apps and phones for the visually impaired and hearing impaired.
The world is changing fast nowadays. As a hearing-impaired or visually impaired person, just keep up: that is not always easy. An example of this is the smartphone. Almost everyone has one today, while visually and audiologically limited people may think that they never have anything to do with such a device. For example, the screen is too small to be able to see anything, or calling is difficult because of poor hearing. For both visually impaired people and people who do not or less well hear, a smartphone can be the ideal assistant. In a smartphone, there are more possibilities than you might think!
Smartphone options for visually impaired or blind people
The iPhone, Android smartphones, and Windows Phones have some possibilities as standard to help visually impaired and hard of hearing people. You can try this before you buy an exclusive app or smartphone. For example, smartphones can read texts or enlarge information on the screen.
The options with an iPhone
The iPhone offers various options. With VoiceOver, the smartphone reads for what is on the screen. Also, the iPhone tells you what you select when you touch the screen. Speak Screen is a similar option that reads emails, messages, and books to you. Dictation is an excellent addition for visually impaired people. Typing on a smartphone screen is often difficult. Dictation converts a recorded message into text.
This is how you set up VoiceOver on the iPhone:
Open the settings app;
Press 'General';
Press' Accessibility;
Press 'VoiceOver';
Turn on VoiceOver there;
You set the speech rate of your smartphone here.
This is how you set up Speak Screen on the iPhone:
Open the settings app;
Press 'General';
Press 'Accessibility';
Press 'Speech';
Here you set whether your iPhone speaks all words on a screen or a selection or fill-in text chosen by you.
Dictation can be activated by pressing the microphone on the iPhone keyboard.
The functionalities of Android smartphones
Android smartphones offer similar possibilities. TalkBack reads pages and tells you where you press. Android smartphones can also read incoming messages, and it is possible to convert spoken words into text.
Turn on TalkBack on an Android smartphone:
Go to Settings';
Press 'Accessibility' under 'System';
Press 'Talkback';
You turn on Talkback here and receive further instructions. With this function, you can also have text messages and messages read aloud.
Android smartphones offer the possibility to convert spoken messages into text in the standard keyboard.
Apps for the blind and visually impaired
In addition to the standard options that smartphones offer, some apps have been developed primarily for the hard of hearing or visually impaired.
TapTap See: tells what is in a picture
Tap See With this app you take an image of an object that you do not know what it is. After analyzing the photo, the app answers. Handy when you're doing groceries for example! This app does consume MBs, so make sure you have an internet bundle with enough MBs if you plan to use TapTap See a lot.
Ariadne GPS: detailed navigation app
Ariadne GPS This navigation app has been specially developed for the blind and visually impaired. The instructions are much more concrete and accurate than with normal navigation apps. Extra plus: Ariadne GPS is available in Dutch. You do have to pay money for the app. While navigating the app uses data, so take a large internet bundle if you plan to use this app often.
Color ID Free: the solution for color blind people
Color ID Free For color-blind people, it is impossible to distinguish some shades or colors from each other. Color ID Free is the helping hand against color blindness. The app works smoothly: you point the camera of your smartphone at something that you would like to know the color of, such as a garment. The app then tells you what color it is.
Apps for deaf and hard of hearing
Below we discuss some apps that can help deaf and hard of hearing people.
Tap Tap: helps with hearing
Tap Tap The Tap Tap app helps to hear sounds. A deaf person does not hear the doorbell, but Tap Tap does. This app then gives a visual notification, so that the ringing of the bell happens.
Light Flow Lite
Light Flow Lite Does your smartphone have an LED light? Take full advantage of Light Flow. This app links color to an app. Is the LED light red? Then you are called or have missed a call, to give you an example of the possibilities.
Unique smartphones for the blind and visually impaired
More and more smartphones are available that are specially designed for blind and visually impaired people. It may be that these smartphones do not have the newest software, but they can do all the essential things other smartphones can do. Just think of sending messages, using apps or taking photos.
Project Ray: smartphones that read aloud
Project Ray Ray N5 Project Ray is a company that specializes in making smartphones and apps for blind and visually impaired people. The two smartphones from Project Ray, the Ray G1, and Ray N5, read messages and have other useful apps. Thanks to these apps, the phone recognizes, for example, you as importantly labeled things in the house. Think of different medicine boxes. The smartphones also recognize different coins and stationery. They both cost a lot of money with $ 699.
Doro: popular among seniors
Doro Doro's smartphones are popular with seniors whose vision has decreased. The physical and virtual buttons are nice and big, which increases the ease of use for this target group. An additional advantage is that a hearing aid can easily be connected to the smartphone via Bluetooth. Your interlocutor is then always well understood.
Handy accessories for your smart home
Smart Home Nest Smart homes are becoming increasingly popular. This is a collective term for household appliances that are connected to the internet. These devices can let you know via your smartphone when they have finished turning a laundry.
If you are deaf, you have nothing to do with an ordinary smoke or carbon monoxide detector. Nest, owned by Google, makes smart reporters connected to your smartphone. If one of the sensors goes off, you get a notification on your smartphone. This is also useful for when you are not at home. Other smart home options are, for example, the Hue lamps from Philips, which start to flash when you receive a message on your smartphone. The smart home is still in its infancy. Developers are now working hard on developing new smart home options, so who knows what the future will bring you to reduce your disability!
One thing is sure: living with smart homes is even more pleasant.