[blindkid] Volunteers Needed for Useful New Blindness App

[Arielle Silverman]

But VisWiz uses still photos, not video call. So if you have bad
camera aim it's really hard to get a good picture. With Be My Eyes,
the reader can talk you through the process of capturing the image.
Arielle

On 1/26/15, Jody Ianuzzi via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> The app VisWiz provides a similar service.
>
> JODY 🐺
>
> "There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes."
> DOCTOR WHO (Tom Baker)
>
>> On Jan 26, 2015, at 6:03 PM, Chris Nusbaum via blindkid
>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Hello All,
>>
>>
>>
>> I am writing to spread the word about Be My Eyes, a newly-released iOS app
>> designed to connect blind users with a network of sighted volunteers who
>> are
>> willing to assist us with tasks which require sighted assistance, e.g.
>> object identification and reading information such as that provided on
>> prescription labels. This free app uses a video chat software with which a
>> blind person can enter a request for help, a sighted user can respond to
>> the
>> request, and a video chat can be initiated which allows both users to
>> interact to ensure that the best information possible is obtained. In the
>> short time this app has been on the App Store, its network has spread
>> beyond
>> its native Denmark to a worldwide community with over 7000 blind users and
>> 80,000 sighted volunteers. However, as more blind Americans learn about
>> the
>> app and download it, the lack of American volunteers often leaves blind
>> users without someone with whom to connect.
>>
>>
>>
>> For this reason, I am asking those receiving this message who are sighted
>> to
>> give back to the blind community by downloading the app and becoming a
>> volunteer. There is no commitment involved and nothing which binds you to
>> a
>> certain responsibility. You need only sign up as a sighted user after
>> downloading the free app from the iOS App Store. When a request is
>> submitted
>> by a blind user, you will get a notification asking if you are available
>> to
>> accept it. If you have time, you can accept; if not, you are welcome to
>> reject it. The request will then move on to the next volunteer. Please
>> also
>> encourage your friends and family to download the app and build the
>> network.
>> More information about the app and how to get involved can be found at:
>> http://www.bemyeyes.org.
>>
>>
>>
>> As a blind person, I can personally attest to the occasional need for
>> sighted help, blindness skills notwithstanding. It can be frustrating at
>> times when a pair of eyes is needed for something but none is available.
>> This is a free, easy and non-time-consuming way to provide very useful
>> help
>> to the blind when we need it. If enough sighted people from around the
>> world
>> become a part of the Be My Eyes network, we could forever eradicate the
>> inconvenience which comes when needed sighted assistance is unavailable.
>> Please consider becoming a part of this growing community by downloading
>> the
>> app to your iPhone and following the simple steps required to create an
>> account. If you have any questions about this app and your involvement in
>> it, please feel free to contact me. Thank you in advance for your support.
>>
>>
>>
>> Chris
>>
>>
>>
>> Chris Nusbaum, Vice President
>>
>> Maryland Association of Blind Students
>>
>> A Division of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
>>
>> Phone: (443) 547-2409
>>
>> Email: dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com
>>
>> Twitter: @Chrisn98 and @NFBMD
>>
>>
>>
>> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
>> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
>> expectations for blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
>> between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
>> blindness is not what holds you back.
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindkid mailing list
>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindkid:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/thunderwalker321%40gmail.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> blindkid mailing list
> blindkid at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> blindkid:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/arielle71%40gmail.com
>