3 ms·

I’ve heard great things about this app from other blind friends, but I’m still not sure if I should try it out. I am introverted, and still don’t like talking t

I’ve heard great things about this app from other blind friends, but I’m still not sure if I should try it out. I am introverted, and still don’t like talking to strangers on the phone, which is why I prefer using apps with OCR or object recognition.

ska 6y ago
I suspect there are use cases that this is just a really good fit for. One session I had was helping a person find their friend in a park when they had got separated. I'm sure she could have managed other ways, but this was very quick (at least at my end).
pfortuny 6y ago
The thing is: its totally anonymous and there is afaik no way to know who either party is. I feel you can benefit a lot from it. The people I have helped range from a total computer specialist who could not read something (I was astonished at the things he did with te computer) to a lady asking me whether her dress was stained or not. In any case, try to guve it a try!
fullstop 6y ago
There's 4+ million volunteers and less than 300k blind. You are very unlikely to ever run into someone you know and the volunteers are literally waiting and wanting to help you. I get that you're introverted -- I'm the same way. With that being said, use the tools that you have! I have anxiety answering the calls but I do it anyway because I know that I can help someone that needs it. The person that you talk to, you will never see or hear from them again. It's a fleeting moment of one human helping another.
chaz 6y ago
I would encourage you to try it out. The expectation on the other side is extremely low -- no one expects a conversation or honestly more than a two-word pleasantry. And the camera defaults to the back camera, so no one sees anyone's face. My last call: Me: "Hello?" Them: "Hi. Can you tell me which can is soup?" Me: "Can I see the other one?" Them: "This one?" Me: "That's cream of tomato." Them: "Thank you." Me: "You're welcome."
blindgeek 6y ago
By all means, you should check it out. I live independently in a household with two other blind people. We use Be My Eyes alongside object recognition / OCR apps like Seeing AI. The two types of app compliment one another quite nicely. I'm introverted myself, but I feel a lot less anxious ringing up an anonymous stranger and asking them for a few minutes of assistance than I do about imposing on sighted friends / family. I took some lessons about not being an imposition or a burden to heart very early in life. For fiercely self-reliant blind people, the smartphone is a gift from the gods.

ska 6y ago

I suspect there are use cases that this is just a really good fit for. One session I had was helping a person find their friend in a park when they had got separated. I'm sure she could have managed other ways, but this was very quick (at least at my end).

pfortuny 6y ago

The thing is: its totally anonymous and there is afaik no way to know who either party is. I feel you can benefit a lot from it. The people I have helped range from a total computer specialist who could not read something (I was astonished at the things he did with te computer) to a lady asking me whether her dress was stained or not. In any case, try to guve it a try!

fullstop 6y ago

There's 4+ million volunteers and less than 300k blind. You are very unlikely to ever run into someone you know and the volunteers are literally waiting and wanting to help you. I get that you're introverted -- I'm the same way. With that being said, use the tools that you have! I have anxiety answering the calls but I do it anyway because I know that I can help someone that needs it. The person that you talk to, you will never see or hear from them again. It's a fleeting moment of one human helping another.

chaz 6y ago

I would encourage you to try it out. The expectation on the other side is extremely low -- no one expects a conversation or honestly more than a two-word pleasantry. And the camera defaults to the back camera, so no one sees anyone's face. My last call: Me: "Hello?" Them: "Hi. Can you tell me which can is soup?" Me: "Can I see the other one?" Them: "This one?" Me: "That's cream of tomato." Them: "Thank you." Me: "You're welcome."

blindgeek 6y ago

By all means, you should check it out. I live independently in a household with two other blind people. We use Be My Eyes alongside object recognition / OCR apps like Seeing AI. The two types of app compliment one another quite nicely. I'm introverted myself, but I feel a lot less anxious ringing up an anonymous stranger and asking them for a few minutes of assistance than I do about imposing on sighted friends / family. I took some lessons about not being an imposition or a burden to heart very early in life. For fiercely self-reliant blind people, the smartphone is a gift from the gods.