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Blind and Visually Impaired Community

Full History - 2022 - 05 - 16 - ID#uqv5h4
20
"Be my eyes" app usage. (self.Blind)
submitted by rlewis2019
Hi everyone,

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-Yoghurt31 12 points 1y 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
athennna 11 points 1y 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
SpektrumKid 3 points 1y ago
smart.
synthpopolis 6 points 1y ago
I use it on a regular basis. It works great. Thanks for joining to be a volunteer
notoriousbsr 6 points 1y 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.
JessConstantino 6 points 1y 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!
bradley22 3 points 1y 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.
PungentMushrooms 3 points 1y 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
TechnicalPragmatist 3 points 1y ago
I personally do not, no, but I know of many others who love it.
WEugeneSmith 2 points 1y 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-Riel 2 points 1y 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..
SpektrumKid 2 points 1y 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.
blueskeye111 3 points 1y 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-Riel 2 points 1y ago
Apparently, but as I've said before, in 2..5 years I've never actually had a call.
rumster 1 points 1y 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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