When a blind or low-vision user contacts you through Be My Eyes, it's because they need visual assistance. Blind and low-vision users use Be My Eyes to solve a wide variety of tasks - both big and small. Here are some examples of common ways people use Be My Eyes:
- Finding lost or dropped items
- Matching or explaining colors
- Distinguishing between food items
- Reading labels on household products
- Identifying the expiration date on perishable food
- Shopping in supermarkets
- Reading on computer screens if a website is inaccessible or screen readers are not available
- Navigating unfamiliar surroundings
- Reading departure or arrival times of public transportation
- Describing pictures, paintings or other pieces of artwork
How much time does it take to volunteer?
Volunteering on Be My Eyes fits any schedule! You will only receive a call once in a while, and if you're busy when a call comes in, don't worry, another volunteer will answer the call. Blind and low-vision users can ask for assistance with both short or longer tasks, but 90 % of all calls are completed within a few minutes.
Blind and low-vision users are aware that volunteers answer calls while going about their daily lives and that you might have limited time on your hands. They are therefore advised to make you aware if they know that a task might take a while so that you are prepared. If you suddenly run out of time while in a call, the blind or low-vision user can always call up another volunteer.
What do other volunteers say?
“Although, the help I provide via the Be My Eyes is tiny, the level of satisfaction I get from helping out the blind users is immense.” - Saransh, India.
“If I was on the street or in a grocery store, and someone asked me for help, I wouldn’t hesitate to give it. Be My Eyes is basically the digital version of that.” - Matthew, Canada.
“Helping through Be My Eyes made a profound impact on me. After I’ve helped someone, I feel very cheery, and it also reminds me that I need to be thankful for everything in my life everyday. I’m always happier, when I use Be My Eyes and can help someone.” - Sarah, United Kingdom.
Who are the blind and low-vision users?
The blind and low-vision users are regular people, just like you and me, they just happen to have a sight impairment. They live all over the world and speak more than 185 different languages - but don't worry, we'll always connect you to someone who speaks the same language as you.
Sight loss is not just black and white, it is a spectrum, and the users of Be My Eyes therefore have many different levels of sight. Some have little to no remaining sight while others still have some useful vision.
The Be My Eyes users might also have lost their sight at very different times in their lives. Some are born blind, while others loose their sight later in life, either suddenly or over time.
The Be My Eyes users are all unique individuals living completely different lives. But what they all have in common is that they sometimes need a bit of extra help to see something - and that's where you come in.
What do blind users say?
“The concept of it is exactly what so many people needed, but for me, I never realized how important it would be to just have a pair of eyes when you need them.” - Sarah, Ireland.
“Be My Eyes has changed my life in a way that I know that if I need help, I will get it - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and I am so grateful for that.” - Fernando, Chile.
“I think that Be My Eyes is extraordinarily special because the people, the volunteers on the app, show that they are willing to help you do anything. No request is stupid or unreasonable or a joke to them, they take their volunteer job very seriously.” - Bryan, United States.