Tag: visual impairment

Vhista App Review

Note: This app was reviewed in tandem with two other scanner apps TapTapSee, and Seeing AI.

Vhista is a scanner app for the blind and visually impaired developed by Juan David Cruz Serrano for the IOS app store , and Google Play store.

The first major issue I had was that a lot of times the camera doesn’t detect that there’s an object in front of it. This issue seems to be caused primarily by tabbing out of the app and then tabbing back in without restarting the app. While restarting the app seemed to help a little bit the detection was still pretty hit or miss.

Vhista’s biggest flaw is easily the detailed image scan which you activate by tapping the screen. Instead of actually telling you what the object is the app just spouts a bunch of guesses and hopes something lands. For example I scanned my dog (the Bulldog from previous reviews) and the app just gave me a list of dog breeds. While the first breed it guessed was the correct one, this method of object detection is more likely to cause confusion for those who are blind.

The active camera mode doesn’t fare much better. Almost every object the app managed to detect was incorrect. For example the app thought a trash can was a toilet, and that a light switch was a paper towel. While the app got both right upon scanning again, it’s probably enough for most to find a different app.

Pros:

  • Voice over support
  • Subscription is only 50 cents a month

Cons:

  • Does not show text for detailed scans
  • Most objects were incorrectly narrated
  • Does not do well with large print enabled
  • Requires a subscription

Conclusion: Vhista is a below average scanner app. Almost every object I scanned was incorrect and worse yet is the fact that the app didn’t detect a lot of the objects I tried to scan. If you’re looking for a proper scanner app you’re better off looking elsewhere.

4/10

4 Ways to Pass the Time if You’re Visually Impaired

Entertaining yourself when you have trouble seeing can be a challenge sometimes. Luckily a variety of fun activities exists that can help you pass the time. Here’s our list of 4 ways to pass the time if you’re visually impaired.

Image result for tactile rubiks cube

4. Rubik’s Tactile Cube: Starting off our list is the Rubik’s Tactile Cube. The Rubik’s Tactile Cube works like a normal Rubik’s Cube but each tile has a marker on it so those who are blind have a way to match the tiles. They cost roughly $14 on Amazon and if you miss being able to solve a Rubik’s Cube or have never previously owned one I’d recommend giving it a shot.

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3. Large Print Playing Cards: Messing around with a deck of cards has been a favorite pass time for as long as anyone can remember and I doubt it’s going away anytime soon. Luckily for those who are visually impaired they make large print card decks, so if you’re in dire need of a time waster, for $7 this is a safe bet.

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2. Podcasts:  whether you’re working and need something to listen to or are just bored, podcasts are an excellent way to pass the time. Podcasts are available on  itunes, Google Play, Spotify, and Amazon.

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1.Audible: Rounding off our list is Audible, Amazons digital store front for audio books. Audible is a great way for those unable to read for themselves to still be able to enjoy literature. While the storefront is free to use Audible has a membership plan (Free if you have Amazon prime) that gets you one free book a month as well as discounts.

Thanks for reading our list of ways to pass the time if you’re visually impaired. If you feel we missed something feel free to leave a comment.

An Introduction to Blind Resources

This site is intended to be a tool for caretakers and/or people who have lost their vision partially and/or fully and who are looking for helpful resources to make their life simpler.

Blind Resources was started by Patrick Lennon back in 2017, as a way to help simplify the search for resources for the visually impaired. In early 2019, the site was revived to help increase the resource information and develop a community that can make a difference for those with a visual impairments. This year, the site has grown considerably, but we still has a long way to go. Currently we have information available for states located in the american southwest. We look forward to adding more states in the coming weeks and months, as well as a variety of other content like monthly interviews, assistive technology information and reviews, and top 5’s.

If you know of a resource that you would like to share with the community, please click here.