Martin Cahill, advocate for visually impaired and blind New Yorkers is the Vice-President and Legislative Chair at Westchester Council of the Blind of New York. WCBNY is a member-led and focused organization.
We recently chatted with Martin for an update on available technology that persons who have low vision or are blind can use to help them navigate.
Martin clearly stated that people’s experience with different apps could be very different from his, that each person has individual needs. He has some residual vision and walks using a white cane; he does not use a seeing-eye-dog. Martin commented on the OKO app, an AI (artificial intelligence) powered navigation aid for people with a disability. He has mixed reviews; the app can be helpful but may interfere with the intense concentration a blind person must use while walking. The person must be listening intently to what is happening around them and this adds another item that requires concentration. OKO uses your smart phone camera to identify pedestrian signals and signs. The phone must be held, camera facing forward, by the walker.
The app Be My Eyes “connects people needing sighted support with volunteers and companies anywhere in the world through live video and artificial intelligence.” This free mobile app uses a smart phone’s camera to assist users with access barriers they may encounter or needed visual descriptions. For example, what color is this? Or I’ve run into a barrier while walking, how can I get around it? What is the value of this dollar bill?
Seeing AI, Talking Camera for the Blind, by Microsoft is very similar to Be My Eyes. Seeing AI is also a free app.
At a recent WCBNY meeting there was a discussion that these apps may experience difficulty functioning at night. The user contacted tech support who acknowledged an issue when dark. Martin emphasized that when using phone apps people need to use with extreme caution and never rely solely on technology but to use technology in addition to and support of their mobility training.
Martin complimented Metro-North for their efforts at making their stations more accessible for people with disabilities. Features at stations can include a ramp to the platform, tactile warning strips, tactile signage, and variable message signs. He recently received a tour of a new program, Navilense, at Metro-North. Scannable bar codes provide useful navigation information. For instance, he scanned a bar code that notified him there were revolving doors ahead but there was an option next to the revolving doors to use a standard door (which Martin prefers). A very helpful upgrade but one that needs to be updated regularly to accommodate any changes that occur.
As an iPhone user Martin feels, due to the assistance a blind or person with low vision can receive from apps and volunteers, that smart phones could be considered medical devices.
Listen to a May 2023 Capitol Press Room radio interview with Martin on important legislation for individuals who are blind or visually impaired:
Click here for the Capitol Press Room interview.
Click to visit the Westchester Council of the Blind website.
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