Digital support and useful tools for those with a Sensory Impairment
Thanks to Deafblind UK for curating this list.
Digital support services
RNIB Technology for Life Coordinators
RNIB technology for life team are on hand to help people with sight loss with both simple and
more complicated technology questions. Technology Support volunteers also provide one-to-one support to people with sight loss, helping them to use computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, e-readers and to get online.
Phone: 03030 123 9999 or email: tfl@rnib.org.uk
AbilityNet
AbilityNet’s ITCanHelp volunteers provide free IT support to people with Sensory Impairments and others who might need additional support. Their volunteers are all disclosure-checked and can help with all sorts of IT challenges, from setting up new equipment, fixing technical issues, showing you how to stay connected to family and use online services.
You can request their support by:
- Using the ‘Request help‘ form
- Calling the helpline on 0800 048 7642 (freephone and minicom) during UK office hours
- Sending an email to enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk
Resource guides
Introduction to useful technology
General overview of various apps and tools that people with visual and hearing impairments my find useful.
RNIB Technology for Life
Here you can find an excellent technology resource hub to access the latest technology facts, tips and guides available for blind and partially sighted people across the UK
AbilityNet
AbilityNet is a national charity that helps people of any age and with any disability to use technology to achieve their goals. Packed with free accessibility guides, factsheets, webinars and links to websites with useful information on disability and technology.
Making your device more accessible
A series of short videos to help people implement various useful accessibility settings, created by Leeds Hearing and Sight Loss Service
Google Accessibility
The Google Accessibility Help centre.
Apple Accessibility
Apple’s gateway to all assistive technology solutions for all their products.
Microsoft Accessibility
Microsoft’s gateway to accessibility solutions on Windows software.
Apps for people with hearing loss
Dragon Anywhere
A mobile dictation app offering a high level of voice recognition accuracy. One week free trial with in – app subscription purchase options. Available for download from the App Store.
TextHear
An accurate real time speech to text translation app enabling people with hearing loss to see what is being said. Free when downloaded from the Google Play Store. Available to purchase in 30-minute packages from the App Store.
Live Transcribe
An instant captioning app designed for people with hearing and people with hearing loss to have conversations more easily. Free and available for download from the Google Play Store.
Ava
Realtime captioning app that transcribes what people say using colour coded transcripts to capture group based conversations. Up to 5 hours free a month. Available for download from the App store and the Google Play store.
Sound Amplifier
Helps users with hearing loss to filter out background noise and boost the audio of their surroundings to frequencies personalised to their hearing. Supports people to better hear the sounds they want to hear. Free and available for download from the Google Play Store.
NGT Lite
Use the app with a phone call to make text calls through the NGT Service.
Provides a text connection in parallel with the phone call you make through the Next Generation Text Service. The app is free and available for download on the Google Play Store and the App store.
TapSOS
Allows a user with hearing loss to contact the emergency services by tapping on a series of visual icons without having to speak on the phone. Once a TapSOS user profile has been created, alerts are sent straight to the UK’s 999 emergency call handlers. Available for purchase from the App Store and Google Play Store
Sun Video
A video relay service app enabling BSL users to access the customer-based services of some private, public and voluntary sector organisations for free via online BSL interpreters. The app is free and available for download on the Google Play Store and the App store.
Apps for people with vision loss
TapTapSee
Photographs objects and identifies them out loud for the user. Free and available for download from the App Store and the Google Play Store
Seeing AI
Describes nearby people, text, and objects. Free and available for download from the App Store.
KNFB Reader
An easy to use app that converts any text to speech or braille. Reads back text from menus, bills, documents, signs and emails to PDF documents. Available for purchase from the App Store, Google Play Store and the Windows 10 Store.
Aipoly Vision
Identifies objects and colours for low vision and colour impaired users. Available for download in the App store. Options for ‘in app’ purchases.
Microsoft Soundscape
Allow low vision and blind users to build a clearer awareness of their surroundings using 3D Audio cues and self set beacons. Free and available for download from the App Store.
Boop Light Detector
Detects levels of light and interprets this information with a sound alert. Useful for low vision and blind. Free and available for download from the App Store.
Blind Square
A popular GPS app used by low vision and blind users. Informs of current address, points of interest and surrounding environments. Available for purchase from the App
Store.
Be My Eyes
A very popular app that connects low vision and blind people to sighted volunteers and company representatives who provide visual assistance through live video calls. Free and available for download from the App Store and the Google Play Store.
Other popular products
Vital Tech
A guide through the world of assistive tech for blind and partially sighted people. Offers handy hints and links to other resources
Synapptic
Innovative technology for people with sight loss providing a simple way to
use Android smartphones and tablets. Easy and intuitive to use.
Dolphin Software
UK based company providing a range of windows based software
solutions and free apps that support users with all degrees of sight loss,
computer experience and reading ability.
NVDA
A popular free screen reader for Windows computers.