Navigating Life with Low Vision: A Client Success Story from BridgingApps

Our BridgingApps program introduces clients to digital assistive technology and digital literacy. 

When our client (a legally blind older adult) first contacted BridgingApps, he was not receiving services from any other organization and was largely dependent on a caregiver for help with his Android phone. He wanted to be able to use the phone more independently, especially when his caregiver was unavailable.

BridgingApps became his primary support for accessible-technology resources.

Simple Tasks Finally Made Simple

During early training sessions he was introduced to the free apps Be My Eyes and Seeing AI, both of which provide verbal information on the user’s surroundings. He soon learned to use these apps for reading text, identifying items in his apartment, and navigating daily tasks. He was especially excited about Seeing AI’s currency recognition feature, since paying in cash had always been a major challenge for him.

He also shared that sending text messages on his phone had become increasingly difficult and frustrating. So, in a follow-up session, we helped him connect his phone to Alexa so he could send text messages using only his voice. He also received an Amazon Echo Show: we helped him set up an account, and trained him how to use the device, which includes a “Show and Tell” feature that scans physical items and answers questions about them. Now he can easily locate things around his apartment, without human assistance.

After this first series of trainings, the client sent a follow-up message stating how grateful he was and how much the Alexa was helping him in everyday life.

Second Round of Training

Several weeks later, the client returned to BridgingApps for help troubleshooting some SeeingAI challenges. While he was there, we also provided him with an iPhone 14. Although he was a longtime Android user and was initially hesitant about trying an Apple device, he quickly took to it after we introduced him to Apple’s accessibility features, especially VoiceOver. He was excited to learn about all the built-in accessibility features that come with devices.

He left the session eager to gain even greater confidence and independence with a smartphone. That’s our goal for all clients: to help them become as confident and independent as they want to be.

-Alejandra “Ale” Gonzalez, BridgingApps Digital Navigator, Easter Seals Greater Houston