Tip: Start with one tool & try it. If it doesn’t fit your needs, that’s okay—there are options.
Most Used Accessibility Apps (Free)
- Seeing AI – Reads text, mail, labels, identifies products, currency, colors, and scenes (iOS & Android).
- Be My Eyes – Live volunteer or AI assistance (iOS & Android).
- Lookout by Google – Similar to Seeing AI (Android).
- AIRA: can be used at IAH & HOU airports
- Gemini: AI assistant to read phone and scenes (iOS &Android)
Reading & Audio (Free)
- Talking Books Program – audiobooks, magazines, games
- Sight into Sound
- Houston Public Library – Libby & Hoopla apps e-books/audio
Houston Area Support & Services
- Texas Workforce Commission: O&M for white cane
- Older Blind Individuals: Kieana Chargois (346) 735-0856
- Vocational Rehab: Michele (832) 681-2645; (832) 312-4008
- The Lighthouse of Houston: community resources
- Houston Area Visually Impaired Network (HAVIN)
- iBug Houston: weekly Zoom meetings on cell phone/comp use
- Hadley, Sight into Sound
Built-In Phone Tools (Already on Your Device)
- VoiceOver (iPhone) / TalkBack (Android) – Screen readers.
- Magnifier & Zoom – Camera?based magnification and contrast.
- Voice assistants (Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa)
Transportation
- METROlift & METRO curb2curb: door-to-door rides
- Insurance transportation: check medical & alternative services
- Harris County Transit: ADA Paratransit Program
- Rideshare: Uber, Lyft, Alto
- Microtransit / On-Demand Pilot programs: check locally
