Have you ever wanted to do something more for people in need but just don’t have the time or money? The app “Be My Eyes” was created by a non-profit organization that allows visually impaired people to get assistance with everyday tasks. It also allows all iPhone users to be the eyes of someone in need.
How the app works:
When a blind user needs help with a task such as reading the items in a vending machine, he or she opens the app and requests a video with a sighted user. A randomly selected sighted user will be chosen and will receive a notification about a call. The call is very similar to a FaceTime call. The visually impaired will point their camera towards their task and ask the other user to read to them what is on the screen. Once the task is completed both users will hang up their calls and go back to their normal day.
The story behind the app:
The app was founded in 2012 by Hans Jørgen Wiberg, a Dutch man who is blind himself. His goal was to have people helping one another through the power of today’s technology.
“Be My Eyes will make a big difference in the everyday lives of blind people all over the world,” reported Hans Jørgen Wiberg on the website for this organization.
As of right now the app is only available on iPhones, but Android users will be able to enjoy the app in the near future, according to the website.
People being helped:
Currently, there are 159,379 sighted users and 15,958 blind users. With these numbers, visually impaired people have received help 54,073 times.
Be My Eyes user and senior, Briana Mazzocchi, remembers her first call from the app.
“Getting my first call made my heart race,” she said. “I was so afraid that I wasn’t going to be able to help, but as soon as the call started my anxiety went away and my heart felt warm.”
Be My Eyes is a free app that can steadily help change lives. Don’t think that just because you’re only one person that you can’t make a difference. Blind users have been known to wait up to ten minutes for just a simple question. Every single person using this app will make a difference in someone’s life. Help be a part of the movement.
For more information on the app and how you can help, please visit, http://www.bemyeyes.org
