Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Experiences using Be My Eyes to read maps and virtually view environments (self.Blind)
submitted by PriorVacation7
Anyone else use Be My Eyes for these types of things? I walk and take transit exclusively, and have been experimenting with using Be My Eyes to view maps and environments in advance of my arrival to travel more efficiently.Most recently, I was able to navigate a large shopping mall by asking the volunteer to search for a map of the complex successfully. I would love to be inspired by other examples. I'm about to try using it again to navigate an outdoor shopping center.
[deleted] 3 points 1y ago
I am a “helper” for Be My Eyes and it seems very helpful to the people who call! And it’s pretty simple 😊
suitcaseismyhome 1 points 1y ago
Sincere thank you! I don't use it that often but sometimes worry that my request is too trivial, or too difficult ('help me please to spot my luggage coming down' when I am using a black suitcase probably is annoying, and sorry for that)
[deleted] 2 points 1y ago
Nothing is annoying and the more challenging the more fun lol
suitcaseismyhome 2 points 1y ago
I use it quite often in airports. I'm very familiar with the major airports in Germany however it can sometimes be difficult to find the gate number and recently a lot of shops and services changed after Corona. So sometimes I will use the app the feedback that I get from the volunteer is that I do have to stop sometimes or to hold my phone at a certain level so that they can see.
I think it's probably good to get their feedback and experiment a bit if you are walking so that they can tell you if they can actually see enough to guide you to your destination.
I think it's probably good to get their feedback and experiment a bit if you are walking so that they can tell you if they can actually see enough to guide you to your destination.
PriorVacation7 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Very true. I usually start off by slowly panning around my environment in a 360° turn once I indicate where I am navigating. I usually just hold the phone vertically in front of me, but will sometimes move it around to look for signs, and may hold it at an angle when walking in order to glimpse signage while walking.
suitcaseismyhome 1 points 1y ago
I think too another risk is that you may get someone in a different country who isn't familiar with the names of shops? I had that recently where someone in Africa answered, and he was very sweet and helpful, but completely confused by the shops in Germany :)
PriorVacation7 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
I have occasionally gotten connected with folks from other countries. I'm in the States, and most of the volunteers tend to be from that part of the world.
suitcaseismyhome 1 points 1y ago
I often wondered about that. I set my language to English as I felt that the chances of getting someone in German or one of my other primary languages was much lower. But I tend to get people in Africa when I use it in Germany, but in the US I get Americans, and in Canada Canadians.
I wonder if geography does play a role? I do like speaking with people around Africa and comparing notes on what life is like as I've spent a lot of time in various countries there.
I don't believe that I've ever had a German in Germany, using English language! (but that may be due to low volunteer rate? often people in Nigeria etc tell me that the economy was so destroyed due to wealthy country reactions to corona, so they are volunteering to do something useful whilst out of work)
I wonder if geography does play a role? I do like speaking with people around Africa and comparing notes on what life is like as I've spent a lot of time in various countries there.
I don't believe that I've ever had a German in Germany, using English language! (but that may be due to low volunteer rate? often people in Nigeria etc tell me that the economy was so destroyed due to wealthy country reactions to corona, so they are volunteering to do something useful whilst out of work)
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