Despite the fact that the blind can not read things like text or identify colours, there are tools that are used to do this. One of these tools is an app called Seeing AI that can be downloaded for free. This app is very simple to learn and a great way to identify visual things without assistance from another person.
Once you have downloaded Seeing AI from the app store and open it, you will then swipe your finger to the right until it says channel. From here, you will already be in short text mode. If you desire to identify other visual characteristics, swipe up on the screen to change the channel.
For reading text, use short text and this will read off writing that you show the camera. While holding the phone above the area with text, be sure not to hold it to close so it can recognize everything. This is a great way to read small amounts of information such as a short sign or perhaps a label.
With another channel called read document, you can have an entire paper read to you. You will start by holding the phone above the document and listen for the instructions that it gives. Your phone will tell you to do things like move left, tilt right, or let you know if it is too close. When the phone is in the right place, it will then automaticly take the picture for you. After this picture is taken, you can this listen to either the whole document or listen to it line by line using you finger to swipe left and right.
Another important tool programed into this app is read cash. When you are on the area to select channel, swipe up or down until it says cash. From here, hold the money in front of the camera and the amount will be read to you so you can set it aside and identify it later.
A great way to use this app is if you desire to know the colour of something. Swipe up or down on the channel until it reads color and then show the camera to what you are holding. Seeing AI will then tell you what the base colour is of what you are holding.
One other tool this app offers is to read products. Often times, the text on the outside of a product cannot be read clearly by Seeing AI. When you have put the app in product mode and hold the item in front of the camera, it will then guide you to move the phone to where the bar code is. Using this rather than short text, will give a much more precise reading of the product.
The next tool in the list is scene preview. This can be used at times where you would like to know a basic description of what is around you. After selecting this channel and then taking a picture with it, it will let you know what is ahead of you.
Another tool that can be used is person. This can be used to take a picture of someone to get a description of what they look like. The description will be a basic overview of their characteristics. It could say, “A bearded man with green eyes.” Something to keep in mind with this channel is that the age it gives will likely be incorrect. I took a picture of my own face and it read that I was 10 years older than I am.
The next channel is a very useful one for daily life. This channel is used to read currency. All you have to do is show the dollar in question to the camera and then it will read the number on it. This makes it convenient to know what dollar you are holding without assistance.
One more tool this app offers is colour. Once you’ve selected the colour channel just show the camera to what you wish to identify. It will then read off the base colour such as black, white, red, blue, etc. This can be useful when you need to select clothing or anything you want to have a certain colour.
After the colour channel is handwriting. This can come in handy when someone sends you a letter or gives you a card for a holiday. To use this most effectively, place the letter on a flat surface. You will then hold the phone about 2 feet above it. Once the phone is in position, you can then take the picture and it will read everythingit recognizes.
Another useful tool in this app is the light channel. This can be used if you are wanting to know if the room is bright or not. When this is selected, you will hear it start to hum. The higher the pitch of this hum gets, the brighter the area is. This is a great tool that can be used to know if a picture or video will be well captured.
With all of the simple tools this app offers, you will be able to recognize things without sighted assistance. Because of this app, there is much less dependance on in person help. After becoming familiar with this, visual information can be identified by you alone.