Just joined this community to learn more about being inclusive. I myself do not have visual impairments but would like to provide assistance so I downloaded the app called Be My Eyes. I've only have 2 calls but unfortunately I was indisposed at those 2 times and wasn't able to pick up.
My question is, do people actually use this app on a regular basis or are there other apps out there that are similar and that provide a better user experience or service?
Thanks
Aggressive-Yoghurt3112 points1y ago
As of now 400,000 people get help from this app and there are more than 5 million volunteers, there are so many people are there trying to help that the workload does not fall in one person don't expect to get a call every hour because there are so many people that are trying to help, and I don't think there is a more widespread app
athennna11 points1y ago
I’d say 3-4 calls every 6 months is average for a Be My Eyes volunteer, and even those you might not answer fast enough to get the call, they ring multiple volunteers at once and whoever picks up first takes the call
SpektrumKid3 points1y ago
smart.
synthpopolis6 points1y ago
I use it on a regular basis. It works great. Thanks for joining to be a volunteer
notoriousbsr6 points1y ago
Wife uses it a lot when I'm at the office. Labels, expiration dates, all kinds of things.
I would take more calls if they came through but they're are so many volunteers. I've read and found all kinds of things for people.
JessConstantino6 points1y ago
I would like to follow this thread. I am visually impaired and always looking for good support for bad days. I’ve heard a lot about this app but unsure if there is better out there thanks!
bradley223 points1y ago
I have used it once or twice, it’s on my phone if I need it but I’m not using it every day.
PungentMushrooms3 points1y ago
I probably use it once or twice a week for simple things. Most of the time the calls don't even last more than a minute. Honestly have had no bad experiences. Only once I think the call woke up the guy on the other end lol
TechnicalPragmatist3 points1y ago
I personally do not, no, but I know of many others who love it.
WEugeneSmith2 points1y ago
I use it fairly regularly, mostly for labels and cooking instructions. I live alone and, while I can always facetime a friend or family member, this service truly fills a need during times when it is not convenient to reach out via facetime.
I think it is a very useful app.
You might not get frequent calls, but each time you read a label, identify expiration dates on a product, or read the cooking instructions on a package, you will be making a blind or VI person's life easier.
Ko-Riel2 points1y ago
I almost forgot I have it installed. Must have been a year ago the I missed one call. Never had one before or after. I keep it installed because my g/f is 100% blind, but otherwise...
It's basically using up space on my phone for nothing.
/edit: Just checked: Been available for a call since December 1st 2019..
SpektrumKid2 points1y ago
So what happens if you get a call as a volunteer? You get sent a picture and you have to tell the person on the other end what you see?
I think I'd like to volunteer. If I can help blind people see, that's kind of a neat idea.
blueskeye1113 points1y ago
I’ve gotten one call on it (that I was able to answer). It was essentially a video call, but I could see the caller’s video and they couldn’t see me. He had it turned away from him. He was showing me a video of his bathtub that he was cleaning and wanted to know if it was indeed clean (it was). Really helps you get a sense of the day-to-day things that visually impaired people struggle with, which the rest of us take for granted.
Ko-Riel2 points1y ago
Apparently, but as I've said before, in 2..5 years I've never actually had a call.
rumster1 points1y ago
I talked to the founders and one of the C-Levels of the company during CSUN. This community and others widely used and accepted this app around the country. One of the few APPs I 100% support and if you like I can have someone who represents them on here one of these days.
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