A new iPhone app has aimed to make life easier for the blind and partially sighted by connecting them with sighted volunteers.
Through a direct video call, the new Be My Eyes app gives blind people the opportunity to ask the sighted volunteer for help when undertaking tasks that requires normal vision. The volunteer is able to see and des what the blind person is showing the sighted helper by filming with the video camera in the smartphone.
The developer of the app said the idea originated from 50 year old Danish furniture craftsman Hans Jørgen Wiberg, who started losing his vision when he was 25. ‘His wish is that the app will make both the everyday life of blind people easier and new flexible opportunity to volunteer,’ said Be My Eyes developers.
A test version of the app has was said to have been well received by the blind community. John Heilbrunn, himself blind and vice chairman of The Danish Association of the Blind, said it was a great opportunity to get help from a network of volunteers: ‘The app makes it possible to get help at times where it might be inconvenient to get help from neighbours or friends, and you don’t have to go apologetically and ask for help.’