How+Mobile+Devices+Assist+the+Blind

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How Mobile Devices Assist the Blind
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=**Description:**= The popularity of touchscreen smartphones leaves many wondering who will get left behind with this technology. Thankfully, it will not be the blind. Even though the new phones do not have a tactile keyboard, there are apps and services available that will allow visually impaired users to text and use their phones just like everyone else.

Many service providers have an application, or feature available to their users to assist in the case of low vision, or completely visually-impaired individuals. Apple has a free feature built into every iPhone called Voiceover. This allows users to give audio commands to use the phone and send text messages. Android uses a feature called Nuance Vocalizer, which allows someone to use basic functions of their phones such as making calls, managing contacts, sending text messages, using the GPS locator, settings alarms, and using apps. Windows also has a free feature to download that allows users to make phone calls, manage contacts, send texts, as well as full web capabilities, use of email and adjustments of settings by moving their finger across the screen and it announces what is being hovered over, or it can be used by “touch directional slide gestures” for navigation.

In addition to the applications that navigate the phone, there are also apps available to ease the creation of text message for the blind. For example, an app called Brailletouch was developed by Georgia Tech researchers. To use this app, an enduser holds the phone landscape style, with the screen away from them and then uses three fingers on each side of the screen to type text messages based on the Braille system.

One of the earlier phones dedicated to the blind was the Owasys 22C. This phone is now currently not in production anymore, but its mere existence shows that even before the appearance of smart phones, blind people where never left behind. Modern day applications not specifically targeting the blind also benefit them. Take for instance programs such as Siri, Google Now, and the upcoming Cortana. These programs where made to assist people by using voice recognition. By giving back an audible response of inquires these programs help completing task in a faster more convenient way. Any voice recognition program benefits the blind when it comes to phones. The ability to have the phone respond back to them, alongside the apps specifically made for them, allow for a reasonable nice time using current smartphones. It wouldn't be that far of a stretch to say that current day phones can be used on the same level or much more effectually by a blind person than one that can actively see.

=Applications:= All of the following applications work through audible commands for the completely blind and some work through enhancing certain colors for the visually impaired so they can recognize them. Then they can remember these colors for their everyday lives. Some are pricier than others, but overall they are quite useful and are helping to change the lives for the blind and visually impaired. = Top iPhone Apps for the Blind & Visually Impaired  = =http://assistivetechnology.about.com/od/ATCAT6/tp/Top-10-Iphone-Apps-For-The-Visually-Impaired.htm =

Sending text via Braille App: [] Other apps for the blind: []

=Related Links:=

[|Screenless Phone] [|Mobile Accessibility] [|Siri] [|Cortana] [|Google Now] (Apple Phones) [|https://www.apple.com/accessibility/ios/#vision] (Android Phones) [] (Windows Phones) []