This is crucial for anyone living with low vision—how to harness the power of Android smartphones to improve accessibility and independence. With so many apps and features available, these are some of the best adaptive tools and tips for making smartphones more user-friendly.
Here are the highlights, along with additional tips to help maximize the accessibility of your Android device:
This app is designed to help users explore their surroundings and read handwritten text. It uses your phone’s camera to scan your environment, then speaks aloud descriptions of what’s in front of you. This can be especially helpful when navigating new spaces or identifying objects in a room.
Lookout is an Android app that offers similar functionality to CNA Eye. It helps users with low vision or blindness identify objects, read text, and even scan products. The app can be used in various modes like "Text," "Food Label," and "Currency," making it highly versatile for different tasks throughout the day.
Tip: Both CNA Eye and Lookout can be incredibly useful when you’re on the go—whether you’re reading labels in a grocery store or trying to identify street signs.
Be My Eyes is a well-known, free app that connects people with low vision to sighted volunteers via live video calls. These volunteers can help with tasks like reading labels, navigating your environment, or identifying objects. The app works 24/7, with volunteers from around the world ready to assist.
Tip: This app is particularly great for situations where you need quick, real-time assistance. Whether you need help picking the right outfit or reading a piece of mail, Be My Eyes is there for you with just the push of a button.
Aira provides a similar service to Be My Eyes but adds even more features. Through Aira, you can connect to a professional agent who can assist you with tasks like navigating airports or shopping malls. Aira can even scan documents or take photos for you, sending them directly to your email.
New AI Feature: You can now get 10 minutes of Aira service for free every 30 minutes, and the app has designated "free zones" where you can use the service without any cost—such as Memorial City Mall, Target, and major airports like IAH.
Tip: Aira’s screen-sharing feature can be incredibly useful if you’re trying to resolve technical issues with your phone or another device. The agent can guide you through the process step-by-step, making it easier to fix problems on your own.
This built-in Android feature allows users to have on-screen text read aloud. You can access this function by swiping two fingers along the edge of the bottom screen or by adding the shortcut to the navigation bar. Once enabled, just tap on any text you want to be read out loud, whether it’s a webpage, document, or text message.
Tip: Customize this feature to fit your needs by adjusting the speed and voice used for reading the text. This can make it easier to follow along at your own pace.
If reading small text on your phone is a challenge, the Big Font app can make a big difference. This app allows you to enlarge the font size across your device, making everything easier to read. Whether you’re reading emails, texts, or browsing online, the ability to adjust the font size helps make your phone more accessible.
Tip: Combine Big Font with Select-to-Speak for an even better experience—letting you see and hear text at the same time.
Android devices offer a lot of flexibility when it comes to customizing your home screen and gestures. Using a custom launcher app, you can set up personalized gestures, adjust the layout of your home screen, and change the size of app icons, all of which can help make your phone more accessible.
Tip: Nova Launcher and Action Launcher are popular choices that allow for deep customization of gestures and home screen layouts. These apps can make navigating your phone faster and easier, especially if you rely on gesture controls.
While Alexa is often associated with Amazon Echo devices, the voice assistant is also available on Android phones. You can use it to set reminders, control smart home devices, and get weather updates—all through simple voice commands.
Tip: Combine Alexa with Android’s accessibility features like Select-to-Speak to create a truly hands-free experience when interacting with your phone.
Magnification Gestures: Android devices allow you to zoom in on any part of the screen by triple-tapping it. This can be helpful for reading fine print or seeing small images in detail.
High Contrast Mode: Turning on high contrast text in the accessibility settings can make text easier to read, especially for users with low vision.
Voice Access: This Android feature allows you to control your phone using only your voice. You can open apps, edit text, and navigate the web without ever needing to touch your screen.
Don’t have an Android? Try iBUG for help with iOS devices!
For those interested in learning how to make the most of iOS devices, iBUG Today, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting independence, social integration, and educational development for the blind and visually impaired community. Through their accessible technology training, iBUG (iBlind Users Group) strives to empower individuals to lead extraordinary lives filled with productivity, communication, and connection.
Each Monday from 7-9 PM CT, iBUG hosts a free weekly Q&A help session on Zoom for anyone with questions about iOS device accessibility. The first 45 minutes are specifically geared toward novice users, with demonstrations of iOS features or apps by advanced members. This session is an excellent opportunity to ask questions, troubleshoot, and learn from others in the community.