The fourth in a five-part series: Accessing Visual Information Series.
We are surrounded by visual information, but it’s not always accessible. This month, the Bridges Helpdesk explores tools that put access to that visual information at your fingertips.
In this fourth installment of the series, we find out about Seeing AI, a free tool to access visual information that is available only on iOS devices.
What is Seeing AI?
Seeing AI is an artificial intelligence application which can identify text, objects, and colors for people who are blind or low vision. This app is available in 16 languages.
Seeing AI is available for free from the Apple App Store. However, at this time, Seeing AI is not available for use on Android devices.
Short Text Mode
This mode is extremely useful because it recognizes text without requiring the user to take a photograph. Simply open the app, make sure the “short text” mode is selected at the bottom of the screen, and point the camera where you think the text appears. As soon as the application detects text, it will begin reading. Are you too far down the page? No problem. You can move the camera to a different orientation until you get the information from the document that you need. This mode is great for reading mail, school assignments, notes, menus, and receipts.
Other Modes of Seeing AI
Seeing AI has many other modes, including:
Contact us
Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:
- Our Accessible web form
- Email: Helpdesk@imagemd.org
- Text: Send to: (410) 305-9199
- Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page or Facebook Messenger
- Voice mail: Call (443) 320-4003, leave a voice mail message, and we will return your call
This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.
June: Accessing Visual Information Series
Part 4: Seeing AI
Part 5: KNFB Reader