Mobile apps have shaped every aspect of our everyday lives. From online banking to ordering food online, there is literally an app for everything. And this holds true for travelers who use wheelchairs, are visually or hearing-impaired or have another disability – It no longer has to be difficult.
This comes from a recent study conducted by luxury holiday specialists Oliver’s Travels where they polled 1,000 people with disabilities, and over 50% find travel considerably more difficult or near impossible.
Here are some apps to help travel smoothly with a disability:
Be My Eyes (App Available on iOS and Android)
This app provides those with a low vision with an assisted sight volunteer via a direct video link. The assistant will be able to provide commentary on the notable sights along the way, describing the environment to you to paint a picture of the scene.
KNFB Reader (App Available on iOS and Android)
KNFB Reader takes a photo of texts and reads the text aloud in clear synthetic speech. This app is particularly handy for reading annotations at museums and attractions and also for reading menus and bills while eating out on your travels.
LookTel Money Reader (App Available on iOS)
The Money Reader recognises currency and will speak aloud the nomination allowing you to easily check how much money you have, particularly important when exchanging money. This app supports twenty-one currencies of different countries: US Dollar, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, New Zealand Dollar, Singapore Dollar, British Pound, Euro, Indian Rupee, Bahraini Dinar, Kuwaiti Dinar, Brazilian Real, Belarusian Ruble, Hungarian Forint, Israeli Shekel, Japanese Yen, Mexican Peso, Polish Zloty, Russian Ruble, Saudi Arabian Riyal, and UAE Dirham.
MediSafe (App Available on iOS and Android)
Medisafe is a medication management and pill reminder app that provides reminders on when to take your regular medication. This app is particularly handy while travelling when you may get caught up in activities and forget a dose or get confused by the time difference.
Seeing AI (App Available on iOS)
Seeing AI app developed by Microsoft utilises Artificial Intelligence (AI) to narrate the world around you, describing nearby people and objects and narrating any text. Designed for the low vision community, this app is a great tool for painting a picture of a new city or resort, as well as reading guides, signs, menus and other information.
WheelMate (App Available on iOS and Android)
With WheelMate app you’ll never be left struggling to find a wheelchair-accessible public toilet or parking space. The app will locate accessible toilets and wheelchair-friendly parking spaces near you on an interactive map, which is perfect when travelling on long journeys. It is powered by wheelchair users who add and verify every single location themselves.
Check out this infographic that highlights 20 of the best online tools and apps for travellers with disabilities.
Please include attribution to Oliver’s Travels with this graphic.
