Useful Android apps for people with disabilities

Apps especially for people with disabilities are a real support in many situations. We introduce some of the most useful Android apps.

Android apps for the visually impaired and blind

If you can see very poorly or are completely blind, several apps can be worthwhile:

• TalkBack reads the contents of your smartphone to you. To do this, simply touch the relevant areas with your finger.
• VoxDox also reads content out loud. You can have texts, photographed documents, websites or your own written text read out on your smartphone. The latter is also practical to be able to communicate on the go.
• If you see very poorly, you can magnify small objects and fonts up to 4 times with the Lupe app (Magnifier HD).

Interpreter app for the deaf

VerbaVoice is a comprehensive app for the hearing impaired and deaf. Recorded language can either be read as text or translated into sign language. And this is how VerbaVoice works:

• You book an interpreter in advance, who will be there for a conversation or lecture via the app.
• The agreed date and time appear in the app's appointment list.
• During the appointment, the booked interpreter translates for you in real time.
• If you need this app for people with disabilities for your training or at work, the interpreter can be taken over on request from the responsible cost unit (e.g. the employment agency or your social service provider). For self-payers, one hour of remote interpreting per app is between 30 and 70 euros.

Android app supports sign language

Sign language also needs to be learned. You can find support for this with the German Sign Language App. The functions:

• You can look up a sign at any time.
• A package with 81 videos with everyday terms in sign language is preinstalled.
• Additional themed packages, for example from the subject areas "career" or "medicine", can be booked for a fee of 8.99 euros each.

Android apps for wheelchair users

Especially in unfamiliar surroundings, it is difficult to find places that are easily accessible. The WheelMap app helps people with disabilities.

• Your location is determined by GPS and facilities in the immediate vicinity are displayed. Alternatively, you can manually enter a city by disabling your location access.
• You can then search specifically for banks, public toilets or restaurants. WheelMap shows you whether the respective locations are accessible or what restrictions exist.
• The WheelMap app for people with disabilities is already useful, but not yet fully developed. It lives from the fact that users gradually evaluate other places for their wheelchair accessibility.

In another practical tip you will also find numerous iPhone apps for people with disabilities.