Spotlight on…Be My Eyes!

Each week we are saying “Hello” to another organisation in the VI world to learn more about who they are and what they do.

This week, we are chatting to Will Butler (VP of Community) from Be My Eyes.

So, Hi Will, please can you tell us about Be My Eyes:

Be My Eyes is a small start up company that was devised by a Danish visually impaired man called Hans Jørgen Wiberg. He wanted an alternative way of asking for help rather than having to always rely on family and friends.

Therefore, in January 2015, Be My Eyes was launched which is a free mobile app that uses the technology of live video calls to connect visually impaired people with sighted volunteers, around the world, to help tackle challenges and solve problems. Often it is simple but important everyday visual tasks such as reading labels on items of food or checking expiry dates.

The app is now available in over 180 languages, in over 150 countries, and is one of the largest micro-volunteering platforms in the world with over 4.5 million sighted people signed up.

What is the Specialized Help feature?

This was launched in February 2018 with Microsoft and we now work in partnership with numerous other companies including Google and Proctor & Gamble. The Specialized Help feature enables visually impaired people to connect directly with official company representatives for accessible and efficient company support. For example, via ClearBlue, pregnancy test results can be privately and instantly given.

And Be My Eyes is also now helping with at home Covid tests?

Yes, we have recently partnered with the Department of Health and Social Care so visually impaired people can receive support from specialist NHS staff on how to order and take their test, as well as packaging and sending their sample.

How can we find out more information?

For more information you can visit our website or listen to our podcasts. You can also connect with us via social media:

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram