BE MY EYES

Be My Eyes. (2019). Be My Eyes–Helping the Blind (Version 3.1.14) [Mobile application software]. Retrieved from https://apps.apple.com/us/app/be-my-eyes-helping-the-blind/id905177575

Price: Free

Rubric Score: 14/22

Age and intended audience: 14+

Review: Be My Eyes is an app for the blind or visually impaired. The app utilizes a world-wide group of volunteers to assist the visually impaired through the use of the camera on the user’s device. The app currently has close to 140,000 visually impaired users and over 2 million volunteers. The visually impaired user simply clicks one button on the app to contact a volunteer to assist them with the task they are trying to complete. The call will go out to all volunteers currently logged into their accounts and is usually answered within 30 seconds. The volunteer will direct the user to move the device in order to see the item that the user needs assistance with. The user can end the call at any time or engage in a conversation with the volunteer. The user is only connected with a volunteer that speaks the language they choose when setting up the account. There is an extensive list of language options available. The number of volunteers far exceeds the number of users, ensuring quick response times. Due to the nature of the interaction with strangers, this app is recommended for teen to adult users only, unless used under the supervision of an adult.