Top Apps for People Who are Blind or with Low Vision

Top Must Have Apps for Visually Impaired 2025
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    Technology has opened up a world of possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision. The top apps for people who are blind or with low vision are designed to enhance independence, improve accessibility, and simplify daily tasks. These apps provide innovative solutions that help individuals navigate the world around them, whether it’s through reading, transportation, or entertainment. Below, we’ve compiled a guide to some of the best apps that are specifically created to support people with visual impairments, enabling them to live more independently and confidently.

    1. Seeing AI
      Top Apps for People Who are Blind or with Low Vision Technology Top Choices Seeing AI is a groundbreaking app from Microsoft that’s revolutionizing the way people who are blind or have low vision interact with the world. This free app uses the smartphone’s camera to narrate the environment, reading text, recognizing faces, identifying objects, and describing scenes. It is a must-have for anyone who needs help with everyday tasks, from reading documents to identifying objects or people in their surroundings. Seeing AI is a powerful tool for improving independence and accessibility for people with visual impairments.

    2. Aira
      Top Apps for People Who are Blind or with Low Vision Technology Top Choices Aira is one of the top apps for people who are blind or with low vision, offering real-time assistance through a live video feed. The app connects users to trained agents who provide guidance for tasks like navigating public spaces, reading documents, and identifying objects. Aira’s agents assist in various scenarios, whether you’re at home or out and about, offering a vital service for people who need real-time support. With its subscription model, Aira provides valuable support to those seeking extra help throughout their day.

    3. BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download)
      BARD is a free service provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). It provides access to thousands of audiobooks, braille books, and music scores. As one of the top apps for people who are blind or with low vision, BARD ensures that users have access to a vast library of literature and educational content in formats that suit their needs. For people who enjoy reading but struggle with traditional print, BARD makes it easy to enjoy books, magazines, and music without barriers.

    4. Lyft
      Top Apps for People Who are Blind or with Low Vision Technology Top Choices Lyft is a ride-hailing app that is incredibly beneficial for individuals with low vision. It offers an easy-to-use interface for booking rides, with the added benefit of accessible features for people with visual impairments. Many cities offer accessible vehicles for those with mobility challenges, and Lyft allows users to communicate any specific needs with their driver. Whether for daily errands or long-distance travel, Lyft helps individuals who are blind or have low vision get from place to place with ease and confidence.

    5. GoodMaps Outdoors
      Top Apps for People Who are Blind or with Low Vision Technology Top Choices GoodMaps Outdoors is an essential app for those who are blind or have low vision and enjoy outdoor exploration. This navigation app offers turn-by-turn, voice-guided directions to help users navigate parks, hiking trails, and other outdoor spaces. GoodMaps is a great tool for improving independence and ensuring safe travel in unfamiliar or open-air environments, making it one of the top apps for people who are blind or with low vision who enjoy spending time outdoors.

    6. LarkWire
      Top Apps for People Who are Blind or with Low Vision Technology Top Choices LarkWire is a fun and educational app for birdwatchers with visual impairments. This app helps users learn to identify birds by their songs, making birdwatching accessible for those who are blind or have low vision. With its interactive learning system, LarkWire enables individuals to experience nature in a new way, enhancing the enjoyment of the outdoors through sound recognition. As one of the top apps for people who are blind or with low vision, LarkWire is perfect for those looking to engage with wildlife in an accessible manner.

    7. Zoom
      Top Apps for People Who are Blind or with Low Vision Technology Top Choices Zoom has become a popular platform for virtual meetings, and its accessibility features make it a great choice for people with low vision. The app offers screen reader support, customizable text sizes, and keyboard shortcuts to make virtual communication easier for users with visual impairments. Whether for work, education, or socializing, Zoom is one of the top apps for people who are blind or with low vision who need to stay connected remotely.

    8. Audible
      Top Apps for People Who are Blind or with Low Vision Technology Top Choices Audible is a top choice for people with low vision or blindness who enjoy audiobooks. With its vast library of spoken-word content, including books, podcasts, and more, Audible makes it easy to enjoy literature, entertainment, and education on the go. The app allows for customization, such as adjusting the playback speed and bookmarking content, offering an optimal listening experience for those with visual impairments. As one of the top apps for people who are blind or with low vision, Audible ensures access to an endless variety of audio entertainment.

    9. Overcast
      Top Apps for People Who are Blind or with Low Vision Technology Top Choices Overcast is an intuitive podcast app with accessibility features that cater to people with low vision or blindness. The app includes voice-over support and customizable playback options, allowing users to enjoy podcasts with ease. Overcast also offers features like the ability to skip silences and adjust playback speed, creating a user-friendly experience for those who prefer listening to content rather than reading. For podcast lovers, Overcast is one of the top apps for people who are blind or with low vision.

    These top apps for people who are blind or with low vision offer innovative solutions for everyday tasks, empowering individuals to live more independently and access the world around them with ease. Whether it’s reading, navigating, or communicating, these apps are invaluable tools that make daily life more manageable and enjoyable for people with visual impairments.

    About Our Trainers Who Picked These Apps:

    Jerry Berrier, Assistive Technology Specialist, New England Low Vision and Blindness

    Top Apps for People Who are Blind or with Low Vision Technology Top Choices Jerry is an Assistive Technology Specialist who joined New England Low Vision and Blindness in 2021. Jerry has worked in the field of assistive technology for over 20 years.  He spent six years as assistant manager at the Verizon center for customers with disabilities, followed by seven years as an assistive technology consultant specializing in work with Deafblind consumers. Most recently, he ended a nine-year stint at the Perkins School for the Blind in the field of assistive technology. Jerry is past president and current secretary of the Bay State Council of the Blind, and past president of VIBUG, a long-standing Boston-based group of technology users.

    Stephanie Abruzzo, Senior Assistive Technology Specialist, New England Low Vision and Blindness

    Top Apps for People Who are Blind or with Low Vision Technology Top Choices

    Michelle is a Senior Assistive Technology Specialist. She is recognized as the best in the business of working with schools and in classrooms with children who are blind or visually impaired. Michelle has been working with adaptive computer technology since 1995. Yes, that was the tail-end of the DOS years for adaptive technology. Michelle typically works alongside the TVI, and she provides Assistive Technology Evaluations for students’ IEPs. Michelle is skilled in providing training, evaluations, and support in adaptive technology for the visually impaired, although her heart belongs to blindness products. In Michelle’s adaptive technology travels, she has worked in schools, businesses; small and large, private homes, and organizations. She has also worked with people in many states in the USA and even as far away as India. Michelle loves to listen to books; it’s one of her favorite things to do, and she listens wherever and whenever she can.

    William Hawley, Assistive Technology Specialist, New England Low Vision and Blindness

    Top Apps for People Who are Blind or with Low Vision Technology Top Choices

    William is an Assistive Technology Consultant who joined New England Low Vision and Blindness in 2022. He has been working in the field of assistive technology for over 16 years and has worked in various other IT industries for over 30 years, including systems administration, medical software consulting, product design, and software and mobile application development, to name a few.  His experience and skill set have grown exponentially since his first business venture selling and servicing PCs as a side business out of his house, and he has been fortunate and ambitious enough to work under various IT-related titles since then such as Assistant Systems Administrator for a large auto group, Lead Medical Software Support Specialist for a medical software VAR, and Lead Developer on several web and media projects.  William’s interests and hobbies include web development, music and video production, 360-degree and drone aerial photography, as well as 3D modeling and prototyping.  He is a fan of retro sci-fi and is a huge Star Wars and Star Trek geek.

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