Be My Eyes

I just got a call, and I thought I’d finally write about this app.

Be My Eyes is one of my favourites, because it lets you help someone who needs it, with zero commitment, whenever you feel like it.

How it works

You install the app on your phone and set the languages you speak. Based on that, you become available to help blind and low-vision people. When someone needs assistance, they open the app, point their camera at whatever they need help with, and you see exactly what they see. You become their eyes, essentially.

A dead simple idea, with a huge impact.

The calls

I can’t remember exactly how many calls I’ve had, but I’d guess around thirty by now. The range of requests is wide.

One person asked if the light in their house was on. Another told me their computer wasn’t working, which turned out to be a Windows update in progress, thirty minutes left. Someone else needed to know if a can was chickpeas or peas, or wanted an expiry date read out. One person asked for help navigating the settings menu of a video game.

There was also a call from someone who had recently lost their sight. They weren’t asking for help with anything specific. They just felt alone and wanted to have a chat.¹

Nothing bad to say

I honestly can’t think of a downside. No sponsors, no ads, nothing to sell you. The app itself is extremely simple and not intrusive at all. When a notification comes in asking for help, if you tap it first you’re connected, otherwise another volunteer picks it up instead. There’s no pressure and no guilt if you can’t answer.

It warms my heart every time I get to help someone out. Highly recommended.