AI Tools for the Education of Students with Visual Impairments

1. Voice Dream Reader

• Description: Reads audiobooks and documents aloud with customization options.
• Pros: Highly customizable; supports multiple formats.
• Cons: Paid app; limited free features.
• Pricing: Premium

2. Audible

• Description: Large library of audiobooks for listening.
• Pros: Extensive catalog; high-quality narration.
• Cons: Subscription required; not interactive.
• Pricing: Premium

3. BookPlayer

• Description: Simple audiobook player for easy listening.
• Pros: Free; user-friendly.
• Cons: Limited features; no built-in library.
• Pricing: Free

4. LibriVox

• Description: Free public domain audiobooks.
• Pros: Free; large collection.
• Cons: Limited modern titles; volunteer narration quality varies.
• Pricing: Free

5. Be My Eyes

• Description: Connects visually impaired users with volunteers for assistance.
• Pros: Free; real-time help.
• Cons: Requires internet; depends on volunteer availability.
• Pricing: Free

6. Seeing AI

• Description: Microsoft app that reads text, identifies objects, and describes surroundings.
• Pros: Free; multiple features.
• Cons: Requires internet; limited offline use.
• Pricing: Free

7. Envision AI

• Description: Reads text and identifies objects for visually impaired users.
• Pros: Accurate recognition; versatile.
• Cons: Subscription for full features.
• Pricing: Freemium

8. Color Inspector / Color Identifier

• Description: Apps that recognize and announce colors.
• Pros: Simple; useful for daily tasks.
• Cons: Limited functionality; niche use.
• Pricing: Free

9. Aipoly Vision

• Description: Recognizes objects and colors, announces verbally.
• Pros: AI-powered; real-time feedback.
• Cons: Premium for advanced features.
• Pricing: Freemium

10. Color Blind Pal

• Description: Helps color-blind users identify colors and adjust palettes.
• Pros: Free; practical.
• Cons: Limited beyond color identification.
• Pricing: Free

11. Aira

• Description: Remote guidance service for visually impaired users.
• Pros: Real-time assistance; professional agents.
• Cons: Subscription required; costly.
• Pricing: Premium

12. TapTapSee

• Description: Identifies objects and describes them verbally.
• Pros: Easy to use; accurate.
• Cons: Requires internet; premium for unlimited use.
• Pricing: Freemium

13. Google Lens

• Description: Identifies objects, reads text, and provides info.
• Pros: Free; versatile.
• Cons: Requires internet; not specialized for accessibility.
• Pricing: Free

14. Braigo

• Description: Teaches Braille alphabet through reading and writing.
• Pros: Educational; interactive.
• Cons: Limited beyond Braille basics.
• Pricing: Free

15. BrailleNote Touch

• Description: Android-based device for Braille reading and writing.
• Pros: Comprehensive toolset; internet access.
• Cons: Very expensive; hardware required.
• Pricing: Premium

16. JAWS

• Description: Screen reader for Windows computers.
• Pros: Powerful; widely used.
• Cons: Expensive; steep learning curve.
• Pricing: Premium

17. NVDA

• Pricing: Free
• Description: Free screen reader for Windows.
• Pros: Free; effective.
• Cons: Limited advanced features compared to JAWS.