BlindShell: smartphone app for visually impaired

Both Android and iOS devices offer accessibility features for visually impaired users, such as TalkBack and VoiceOver.  With these features enabled, consumers with visual impairments are able to navigate their phones with the phone talking to them, letting them know apps they have access to and more.  Though such accessibility features are beneficial, they may […]

Monday Tech Tip: Inspiration Maps app for brainstorming and organizing ideas

Josh Anderson, Assistive Technology Specialist, at Easter Seals Crossroads, shows us an app called Inspiration Maps which is a great tool for brainstorming and then turning those ideas into organized outlines, graphs, and diagrams. Check it out here:

StealthFly: Endless runner game for the visually impaired

“It is night.  You are a pilot, navigating a treacherous cliff-side.  Suddenly, the lights dim in the plane.  You can no longer see.  You only have the sound of the plane whizzing past the cliffs to guide you…”  Welcome to StealthFly, an endless runner game and winner of the SS12: Project Possibility Hackathon.  While there are […]

5 Apple Watch Apps for Visually Impaired

It’s almost been one year since Apple announced its first ever wearable, the Apple Watch.  Since its official release back in April, several individuals have experienced the convenience of the wearable.  How might those with visual impairments reap the benefits of the watch too?  AppleVis has provided a great directory of Apple Watch apps that are partially […]

Signily: iOS keyboard allows you to communicate in sign language

While communicating may be easier on mobile phones for the general population, communication tends to be more limited for individuals who are deaf.  For instance, said individuals often communicate using sign language, but using sign language isn’t really an option, unless using video messages.  This is about to change with the release of Signily, a sign language […]

The Dot: Smartwatch that displays text in Braille

By now, I’m certain a majority of you have heard of many smart devices available on the market, especially Apple’s flagship wearable, the Apple Watch.  While this smartwatch offers several accessibility features (e.g. VoiceOver), it doesn’t offer the same tactile benefits as Braille. A Korean startup company has thus developed The Dot, a smartwatch featuring active Braille technology. The Dot is a wearable […]