7 technologies to help a blind person adapt to the digital world

1. Screen reader

A screen reader is a program that recognizes everything that happens on the display of a computer or smartphone, converts it into text and reads it out (independently or with the help of speech synthesizers). A screen reader is necessary for browsing the Internet, reading mail, communicating in instant messengers, working with documents and many other tasks. The good news is that in modern versions of operating systems such a program is preinstalled: Narrator in Windows, Voiceover in iOS, TalkBack in Android. To start using them, just go to the device settings.

If their work seems inconvenient to a blind user or simply does not like it, you can install additional screen readers and even several at the same time. Popular programs - JAWS and NonVisual Access (NVA).

But for some tasks, one, even the most advanced, screen reader is not enough. For example, if before losing sight, a person was engaged in mathematical calculations, writing codes, or other tasks requiring precise wording and observance of signs, and wants to continue to develop in this direction. Here the braille line can come to the rescue - a device to which information from the display is transmitted in braille. Such a device is also useful for tasks in which you need to simultaneously work on a computer and perceive third-party sound, for example, the voices of others. However, the braille line costs a lot, and in most cases you can do without it.

2. Speech synthesizer

A speech synthesizer converts text received from a screen reader from written to spoken. In some applications, for example the basic ones for Windows, iOS and Android, the "screen reader" already has a "voice". However, an additional speech synthesizer can also come in handy.

The blind receive all information from the device using sounds, and if the standard voice of the device do not like or perceived badly, then using a smartphone or computer becomes unbearable. Synthesizers make it possible to choose a speech that is pleasant to the ear.

In addition, you can use several speech synthesizers for different tasks, for example, chatting with friends on a smartphone, reading books, and working on a computer. This makes it easier to switch from one activity to another. Plus, Russified speech synthesizers can poorly read foreign texts: to listen to an article in English, an additional "assistant" is useful. Popular speech synthesizers - Acapela, Vokalizer, RHVoice.

3. Voice control

Finding the right button or shortcut for an application blindly is not an easy task. Voice control will help with this. You can use commands to open and close programs, find files, turn on the camera, and more. This function is provided in most modern devices, and to activate it, just go to the settings menu.

But if it is not there or the quality of the work does not suit you, you can install applications for voice control. For computers, for example, Typle or Laitis: they have a set of predefined commands and you can add your own. Of course, a microphone is required for correct use. Voice assistants like Alice, Siri, Cortana or Dusi's Assistant will also be useful. They will help expand the number of available actions and receive additional information on a voice request: find out the weather and the latest news.

4. Voice dialing

It is also possible to fill short messages and even voluminous texts with the help of a voice. All you need is a microphone and the corresponding program. Touch keyboards of smartphones already have this function, but for laptops or PCs you need to install additional software.

If it is important that the program not only recognizes speech, but also supports a number of voice commands (for example, put signs punctuation on request or moved to a new paragraph), MSpeech, Dictate (extension for Microsoft Office) or Voco. If you want voice input to work in any input window, not just directly in the program, you can install the Speechpad extension in your browser.

5. Navigator

We are used to the fact that if you need to go to an unfamiliar place, then you can go to online maps, which will build a route themselves and help you get to the place. But it is inconvenient for the blind and visually impaired to use classic navigators. It is important for the blind not only to know about the number of turns, but also to understand what surrounds them: this facilitates orientation in space and saves from dangerous situations.

Special online maps that meet these requirements can be found in the iOS and Android application databases. For example, OsmAnd, WeWALK, Microsoft Soundscape, GetThere, BlindSquare and many others. They differ from each other in interface and set of functions, but in general they perform the same tasks: they talk about the need to change direction, clarify the current position, tell about the destination and report a deviation from the laid route, and during transport trips announce the passing stop. You can also set points in them: choose not a building as a whole, but a specific part of it. Such navigators are controlled using voice commands and gestures, for example, double taps on the screen or shaking a smartphone.

6. Object recognizer

The blind are forced to identify objects by touch, but this is not always possible (for example, to determine the denomination of a banknote). There are mobile applications that do this for them: Google LookOut, TapTapSee, Envision AI, Bill Identifier, Blind-Droid Wallet and others. To get information about an object, you need to point the camera at it and take a photo, and the application will name what it sees. In some of them, you can also upload pictures from the gallery. Object recognizers can name not only the object itself, but also its color - useful when shopping.

There is another option for the blind and visually impaired to find out what is around and read the inscriptions without Braille. This app Be my eyes: it connects the person with the seeing volunteer, who tells what is nearby and helps to carry out the necessary action with prompts. The blind can use Be My Eyes to study objects, read text on packaging, orientate themselves in space, or even check if the colors of the things they are wearing match.

7. Tiflo commenting

Typhlo commentary (audio description) - a description of what is happening on the screen or in life: appearance, emotions, movements, weather changes, scene or scenery. It helps the blind to "look" at paintings and museum exhibits, to watch films, videos and performances.

Audio commentators or audio devices with pre-recorded comments are available in some museums and theaters and can be requestedFederal Law of March 28, 2017 No. 34-FZ "On Amendments to Articles 8 and 9 of the Federal Law" On State Support of Cinematography of the Russian Federation " and in cinemas, but only for Russian state-funded films. There are also a number of applications with this function, but their libraries are limited.

For example, in "Art. Aloud»There are recordings for several films, serials and theatrical performances in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Perm. Soviet cinema with audio descriptions can be viewed at YouTube channel Mosfilm.

Another useful application is “Describe to me. Verbal Descriptions of Images ". It contains a database of pictures, photos and videos with tiflo-comments, and if the necessary content there is no, you can ask volunteers to compose a personal description - it will be sent by email mail.