More Apps and Resources
APPS LISTING
Last Update April 2019
APPS Listing
The Apps listed below do not include any of the native Apple Apps such as Phone, Messages, Contacts, Safari, Music, Calendar, Clock, Maps, etc. All native Apple Apps are already accessible with Voice Over.
The Apps listed below are a broad collection across several categories. As information regarding pricing and features is subject to change at a moment’s notice, it is highly recommended to review it in the Apple App Store prior to any download/purchases. Many of the apps listed below were either nominated or Golden Apple award winning apps. Others may have been recommended by blind/low vision community members.
SeeingAI
Microsoft Artificial Intelligence Tool
FREE
Game Changer for the Blind & Visually Impaired
This App replaces a number of individual apps. It has been called the Swiss Army Knife app. Multiple channels – Short Text, Document, Product, Person, Currency, Scene, Color, Handwriting & Light detection. Can’t say enough good things about it. Best to close app when not using it. Intensive use of the battery and the internet. Golden Apple Award Winner 2017.
Envision AI
Free app but requires subscription
Very similar to Microsoft Seeing AI.
TapTapSee
Free
Original object recognition app. It is a must have for the blind/visually impaired. Stable and reliable.
knfbReader
About $99.99 but is usually on sale during their conference and around Thanksgiving
This app is the original premier OCR app for the blind.
Prizmo Go
Free
In-App Purchases
OCR scanning in 10 languages free. Built with VO users in mind. Many features for text manipulation. Does not do PDF – see paid version. For higher quality internet cloud options, 22 languages - you need the paid version plus packs.
Voice Dream Scanner
5.99
In-App Purchases
OCR and text scanner. Does batch scanning. No internet needed for scanning.
Money Reader
By Nant
Free
Simple app which scans currency placed under the camera – announces the value and displays it in a large font on the screen.
Be My Eyes
Free
Request to first available volunteer through a live audio/video (rear facing camera) for assistance of almost anything. Get App. Volunteer to help as a sighted assistant. Be My Eyes has partnered up with MoovIt transportation app announced January 2018.
BeSpecular
Free
Similar to Be My Eyes, but it is not a live
experience. You take as many pictures of the object you need assistance with and you upload the pictures, along with any text/audio requests for information, and receive information back.
Digit-Eyes
$9.99
Bar Code reader – QR & EAN codes. Make your own labels recording audio for cans, folders, etc. Purchase labels for clothing. Scan over 37 million UPC codes from the database.
Eli
Free. Purchase packs of coded labels.
Quick and easy way to use preprinted coded labels to record an audio description for an item. Similar to Digit-Eyes for your own labeling system recording audio to be attached to the label. Purchased labels may be reused/re-recorded over. Reuse the label as many times as it sticks or you see fit.
ScripTalk
By En-Vision America
Free
Coming Very Soon
Prescription app using the RFID special label and the NFC technology capability introduced in IOS 11 to speak the prescription label along with additional information. See the enVisionamerica.com website for more information.
Navigation
Nearby Explorer Online
Free
Premium version $79.99
Navigation app.
Many controllable audio queues. Example: Speaks house numbers as you walk by them.
BlindSquare
$39.99 plus
In-app purchases
Navigational app.
Accessible navigation indoor and outdoor using GPS, the Compass and four square technology.
Seeing Eye GPS
Free
Subscription Needed
Seeing Eye GPS XT
$199.99 Unlimited Use
Navigation app created for the blind by the Seeing Eye (known for guide dogs) and the Sendero group.
Soundscape
Microsoft
Free
3D Sound narration of places near, in front of, and 360 degrees around you. This is not a true navigation app – it does not provide step by step directions. It is a sound experience of the landscape. Uses Open Street Maps and can
be used in combination with a navigation app, O&M skills, guide dog, etc.
Reading
BARD Mobil
Free App, but you must be approved through an application process.
Braille and Audio Reading Download system.
You can gain access to thousands of books, magazines and music scores along with a collection of foreign books as well.
NFB-Newsline
Free
You must be approved through an application process.
Gain access to hundreds of publications (newspapers & magazines) along with TV listings and weather.
Voice Dream Reader
About $14.99 plus in app purchases
Popular text to speech reader. Supports plain text, word, PowerPoint, pdf, rtf, google docs, web articles, ePub*DRM free only, BookShare books, DAISY text & audio books, audio MP3 & MP4, zipped MP3. Spoken word highlighted, auto scrolling, finger reading high contrast and large font support.
EasyReader
Free
Dolphin EasyReader has many accessible controls for font, color, etc, for reading. Available in a number of countries. US – can interact with NFBNewsline, BookShare and Project Guttenburg to name a few.
Learning Ally Link
Free
Membership may be needed
Learning Ally formerly RFB&D. Access to largest audio library of audio books students need and want (Best sellers, literature and text books).
Capti Voice
Free plus Premier option and Coin purchases
Best special needs reading tool of 2017. Many platforms, many media supported. Personal and organization support available.
Audiobooks by Cross Forward Consulting
Free plus in app purchases
Accessible Audio books. Most free.
Libby, Overdrive, CloudLibrary
Free
Use one of these apps depending on which one participates with your local public library in your town. Download the app, enroll your library card and check out e-text, eBooks, audio books, etc. depending on the services available.
Overcast
Free
In-app purchases
POD cast player. Powerful and simple player. Premium version available at a price to remove advertisements.
Weather
WeatherOffice
Free
Accessible Weather app.
Weather Gods
$2.99
Apple Award Winner 2017.
Weather app.
Transportation
Uber
Free
In-app purchases
Transportation, ride/sharing app.
Lyft
Free
In-app purchases
Transportation ride app.
Moovit
Free
Accessible Transit information. Bus, train and subway information.
Games
FruitPot
Free
(May or may not be in app store due to Apple policy changes)
Accessible Slots game with many different levels of interaction.
Audio Game Hub
Free
In-App Purchases
Many games within the app. Some games are free. Some games require the purchase of additional coins once you have used up the initial allotment. Other games are one time free and then purchase/subscription.
7 Little Words
Free
In-app purchases
Accessible crossword puzzle with multiple letter scrabble tiles to fill in the crossword hint answers. Free game daily.
iAssociate 2
Free
Accessible word association game.
Dice World
Free
In-App Purchases
Accessible Dice games. Six dice games in one app. Blind and sighted can play against each other.
BlindFold
Games
by
Kid Friendly Software
Free in app purchases
Dozens of BlindFold games available. Bowling, DealNoDeal, etc. Initially 10 free coins and then you purchase coins/packs of coins.
Game World (Previously Huboodle)
Free in App Purchases
Many social games available. Totally accessible. In game chat feature.
Games – in general
Timecrest, A Blind Legend, Kid Friendly Software, Blackbox : Infamous Puzzles, Super Tile Smash, Word Search : Word Wars
Too many games to list/mention. Many reviews of accessible games can be found on the applevis.com website.
Meditation
Take a Break
Free
Relaxation and stress meditation with and without sounds, voice guided.
Oak
Free
Meditation and breathing app.
Recipes
Yes Chef
Hands Free Assistant
Free
Access to over 350,000 recipes. Ask for recipes, instructions, etc.
In the Kitchen
Free
Food Network
Free?
Access to over 70,000 recipes. Access to food network chefs recipes shown on TV.
Social Networking
Twitterrific
5 for Twitter
Free
Award winning eloquent twitter client, easy to understand. Robust voice over accessibility. Change in August 2018 may impact functionality.
Facebook and Messenger
Free
Facebook continues to add more accessibility features. Example: AI to photos.
WhatsAp
Free
Social Networking app used around the world. Simple, reliable and secure. Uses internet connection to message, call, send photos/videos.
Entertainment –
Music, Movies and TV
Many of the mainstream apps are accessible, most accessible or doable to navigate. Example: Radio.com, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Spotify, Tune In Radio, Netflix, ABC, TV Guide, YouTube.
I am sure there are many more which could be identified if there was enough time to investigate them.
Misc.
VO Tutorial
Free
Beginner Voice Over Tutorial app. A few quick lessons with fun activities to apply lessons learned.
Magnifying Glass With Light
Free in app purchases
Low Vision App. Incredibily handy for dim lighting/too small print.
Brighter and Bigger
Free
Low vision app. Reading glasses tool. Uses scientific color changing methods.
Workflow, Audio Hijack, Hotels & Flights – Exspedia, Just press record, lire – (full text rss), Threema
Apple Nominated or Golden Award winner apps not mentioned individually
Drafts 5
Free in App Purchases
Quickly capture text and send it anywhere.Dictate, type or ask SIRI to create a note with Drafts. Hooks into favorite apps.
PodCruncher PodCast Player
Free
Full featured PodCast Player.
Valuable Resources to Consider:
- Apple Store – Visit and ask questions prior to purchase.
www.apple.com/accessibility
- Apple Accessibility Phone Assistance – 1-877-204-3930
- Apple iPhone Users Manual or IPad Users Manual available in the Apple iBooks/books app for free. There is a full chapter dedicated to Accessibility.
- AppleVis – Website
applevis.com—tons of reviews, podcasts, and other resources. Also includes some information that doesn't apply to iOS. There is amonthly newsletter which you can subscribe that is a very helpful summary of applevis activity.
- Hadley School for the Blind
www.hadley.edu/InstructionalVideos.asp
Also available on YouTube by searching for Hadley iFocus Videos.
- NJ State Library TBBC (Talking Braille and Book Center)
1 800 792-8322
Request Information regarding BARD in addition to other services.
- National Federation of the Blind - www.nfb.org sponsors both NFBNewsline and KNFBReader apps.
NFBNewsline
1-866-504-7300
- American Foundation for the Blind – www.afb.org has many different categories of resources including a free accessibility technology magazine called AccessWorld.
- National Braille Press –nbp.orghas many publications and text books regarding technology.
- American Printing House – www.aph.org is sponsor of the NearByExplorer
- NJ CMBVI (New Jersey Commission for the Blind/Visually Impaired)
973 648-2111
- VLANJ (Vision Loss Alliance of NJ)
Located in Denville, NJ, offers the Technology Tuesday program focusing on iPhone and iPad, in addition to a Health & Wellness program held on Thursday. Each program is once a week for thirteen weeks, three times a year. A subset of the full Health and Wellness program is also available in Montclair and Ridgewood.
973 627-0055