It may feel as though blindness can prevent a high quality and independent life, but this is a misconception. With the right tools, people who are blind or low-vision can flourish alongside their sighted peers.
MCB Assistive Technology (AT) services
The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) provides assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices and training to individuals with vision loss and their employers. These services include software training and the selection, location, and usage of technology for daily living. Contact your MCB counselor to learn about available options.
Assistive Technology (AT) Software and Devices
Computers for the Blind (CFTB)
Computers for the Blind (CFTB) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization located in Richardson, Texas, devoted to providing refurbished computers with assistive technology to persons who are blind or visually impaired, at very low cost. There are no income or age requirements. There is a processing fee for a desktop or laptop with JAWS or ZoomText installed. Shipping is free in the US.
Learn more about Computers for the Blind. Apply through the form on their website, through their customer service line at 214-340-6328, or by emailing them at service [at] computersfortheblind.org . General questions and concerns can also be sent to info [at] computersfortheblind.org .
Screen Readers
A screen reader is a piece of software that uses text-to-speech (TTS) technology to allow people who are blind or visually impaired to navigate their computer through audio alone. Some screen readers are built into their devices, such as Narrator for Windows, VoiceOver for Apple devices, and TalkBack for Android devices. NVDA is a free, open source screen reader for Windows that can provide a more robust range of supported applications than built-in readers.
The oldest and most widely used screen reader is Job Access With Speech (JAWS) for Windows, which also provides drivers for Braille displays and other adaptive hardware devices. JAWS is a paid service, but you can likely get it for free by inquiring with your MCB counselor.
ZoomText
From the same company behind JAWS, ZoomText is a screen magnification and reading software designed for people with low vision. Its highly customizable magnification settings range up to 36x and can optionally work in sync with a built-in screen reader.
ZoomText has a variety of payment options available on their website, but you can likely get it for free by inquiring with your MCB counselor.
Learn more about ZoomText.
Refreshable Braille Displays
A refreshable Braille display is an electronic device that plugs into your computer and presents information by raising and lowering pins in a grid of Braille cells. It displays between 40 and 80 characters depending on the model. In addition to helping people who are DeafBlind, Braille displays allow the user access to information such as spacing and formatting that a screen reader may not convey as effectively.
These devices can be costly, but you may be able to get them at little to no cost by inquiring with your MCB counselor.
Learn more about Braille displays.
Video Magnifiers
A video magnifier uses a stand-mounted or handheld camera to magnify physical documents and other objects on a connected TV or monitor. These magnifiers may provide customizable zoom levels, white-to-black conversion, contrast levels, and color adjustment depending on the model.
These devices can be costly, but you may be able to get them at little to no cost by inquiring with your MCB counselor.
Learn more about video magnifiers.
Braille Labelers
Braille labelers allow you to make customizable Braille stickers for organizing household objects. They’re available in multiple forms. Some use computer software to program their labels while others are more analog with dials on their handles. Contact your MCB counselor to learn about your options.
Smartphone Applications
Aira
Aira is a phone app that delivers access to visual information by connecting the user to a trained agent who remotely accesses the phone’s camera to interpret the user’s surroundings.
Aira offers a free option to residents who reside in the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Free users receive up to five minutes of call time every 48 hours. Tiered subscription plans are available for additional minutes. Note: before purchasing, contact your MCB counselor to see if a subscription can be provided to you free of charge through the state.
Learn more about Aira.
Apple Pay
Once set up, Apple Pay is easy and works with your Apple devices. You can make contactless, secure purchases in stores, apps, and on the web. You can also send and receive money from friends and family. Apple Pay is safe, helping you avoid touching buttons or exchanging cash. For many people with low vision, it is often simpler and more secure than using a physical card. Apple Pay can be used at any store that accepts tap-to-pay, and at restaurants, vending machines, trains and taxis.
Learn more about Apple Pay.
Be My Eyes
Be My Eyes is a free app that connects blind and low-vision people with sighted volunteers and company representatives for visual assistance through a live video call. It works similarly to Aira. You connect via either an IOS or an Android app on your phone. During the call, you and a volunteer can communicate directly and solve a problem. The volunteer can help guide which direction to point your camera and what to focus on. This includes help with anything from checking expiration dates, distinguishing colors, reading instructions or navigating new surroundings.
Learn more about Be My Eyes.
TapTapSee
TapTapSee is a mobile app that utilizes CloudSight machine learning image recognition to identify objects through your camera. While the human insight of apps like Be My Eyes or Aira will be more accurate, this functionality works in seconds, which may be a convenient alternative for simpler situations.
Learn more about TapTapSee.
Seeing AI
Similar to TapTapSee mentioned above, Seeing AI is a free app developed by Microsoft that identifies objects using machine learning image recognition. Optimized for use with the iPhone’s VoiceOver setting, the app enables you to recognize text, bar codes, people, currency, environments, colors, light levels, and images from other apps.
Find SeeingAI on the Apple Store.
BlindSquare
BlindSquare is a GPS app designed specifically for blind, deafblind, and low-vision accessibility needs. It uses text-to-speech to describe your environment, identify your current address, and provide details about nearby intersections and venues among other features.
Find BlindSquare on the Apple Store.
KNFB Reader
KNFB is a mobile app that converts text on both digital and physical documents to speech or Braille. It can identify text on receipts, package labels, mail, products, screens, and books in more than thirty languages.
Learn more about KNFB Reader.