Wait there is that many volunteers? Never mind, going to download it now! I was saving it for those who are severely impaired/fully blind vs my low vision. But if there is that many volunteers, then I may need to take advantage of it.

i think the conversation in this threat is very telling. on the one side we have so many people just dying to help people with small everyday tasks. it really brings home the idea that blind people should feel good about asking for help.

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on the other side of it. we have all these blind people who don't want to ask for help. i am sure there are a bunch of reasons for not wanting to use the app. its just interesting to see both sides of the situation.

I’m a volunteer on the app (I lurk here because I work in digital accessibility) and I so fucking nuts with excitement when I get a call! It’s very rare, but always a great feeling. I used to be a high school math teacher and I got to answer a call during class once and share the experience with my students who all wanted to volunteer too!

The reason many aren't on it is because there is another app with trained people helping to describe things for the blind.

This is a cool idea with a middling execution.
There is no test to make sure that only decent volunteers can get in, so do to the massive number of volunteers I often get very inexperienced people who are bad at communicating.
I definitely appreciate people signing up to help, but Be my eyes is just, not very good in my experience.
Also, the panning/zooming controls on the assistant's end aren't very useful from what I've been told, and calls can often drop before being answered multiple times, likely because the call was rejected.


Also, becoming overly reliant on services like this and letting your blindness skills atrophy as a result is a real risk if you aren't careful. After all, you aren't always going to have a phone, an internet connection, or enough battery power, nor will this app stay around for ever. I'd never rely on it for anything potentially dangerous, like crossing a street or reading the number off a new credit card either.


I do like the product help though, I've used the Microsoft one to install older versions of Windows, though whether or not you get someone who knows anything about how to assist blind people is sorta hit and miss, especially if you call at night...

It will be available to use with EnvisionGlasses which will be even better because it will be hands-free.

I never knew there was this many people on the app! Might just use it to have someone help me figure out the damn microwave that came with my appartement, it’s a nightmare with so many buttons.

Edit: turns out the app is more useful than I thought. I just read a VI person is going to download the app and hope they enjoy it.

I’m blind.

This app is useful but I hardly use it. In fact; I think I’ve only used it 3 times.

There’s apps for reading your documents and products so this app isn’t as needed as you may think.

I got two calls via this app. Then not anymore. It was so very long. I deleted it because I didn't feel helpful! Plus I guess you now get a higher chance to get a call.👍

I feel like an ass because I never know what to say after I accomplish whatever task I needed help with. I usually say, "Thank you so much! I hope you have a great day!" and end the call.

I had the app for 5 years and never received a call 😭😭

Just downloaded this to be a volunteer :)

As a blind guy, I haven't had reason to use the app yet, but I have it on my phone just in case.

I’ve been registered since 2018 and have received 3 calls, but have only answered in time for one.

I’ve always asked how do they market this to more visually impaired people!!! Such a great app!

Yep, as a blind person, it's an awesome app.

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