Appetite For Accessibility August
We all need to eat, and we all need access to information and tools. From package directions and recipes to apps for grocery shopping and food ordering, lack of non-visual accessibility to information and tools can create barriers for us. This month, we share non-visually accessible tools and explore applications to break down those barriers so that we may satiate our Appetites for Accessibility!
- August 6: Accessing Food Package Information
- August 13: Grocery Shopping Apps – What’s Out There and How To Use Them
- August 20: Recipe Websites – What’s Out There and How Useful Are They?
- August 27: Food Order Apps – What’s Out There and How To Use Them
Say goodbye to not knowing information on food packages! Check out these tools that will enable you to access any printed information via the method of your choosing.
What Information Is On These Packages?
Manufacturers put a great deal of information on food packaging. Some is designed as pure candy: trying catch the visual attention of shoppers passing by grocery shelves. However, these packages contain a great deal of important written information, including directions for preparing the contents, any needed add-ins (like milk, butter, eggs, etc.). Most food packaging also contains nutrition label details, serving sizes, and allergen content warnings.
Package labeling also includes “best by” and “Sell by” dates – details that let us know how fresh (or not) the item is. Some stores even have “Sale” stickers on perishable items, like meats and cheese.
What Tools Are Available?
Below, we have set forth several types of tools:
- Online information
- AI-powered apps
- Human-assisted visual interpretation
Online Information
Directions For Me
Directionsforme provides quick and easy access to a wealth of accessible directions, nutrition information, ingredients, and sometimes allergy warnings. Just look up your brand and item and the website will have exactly what is written on the box in an accessible format! Use the search function or go to the categories page and you’ll find so much information! Check out the Bridges Resource Library’s DirectionsForMe entry for more information.
Manufacturers’ websites
Many national brands host information about their products on their websites. A quick internet search sometimes yields valuable package information. However, these sites vary a good bit in terms of usability and volume of information available.
Be My AI
Be My AI is a digital visual assistant powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4, better known as ChatGPT. Be My AI is integrated into the free Be My Eyes app.
Find out more in the Bridges Resource Library Be My AI entry.
Seeing AI
Seeing AI is an artificial intelligence application that can identify text, currency, and colors for people who are blind/low vision. This app is available in 16 languages. It has the capacity to do many things, but we have identified two specific modes that are particularly helpful for reading food packages.
Check out the Bridges Resource Library’s Seeing AI entry for more information.
Human-Assisted Visual Interpretation
Aira
Aira is a service-based smartphone app where you can call an agent in real time to assist you with tasks in which visual information might be helpful. The call consists of an audio and visual component, similar to a Zoom or FaceTime call. Users often ask Aira agents to assist them in reading directions and/or nutrition labels on food packages, as well as getting critical information like best-by dates. Some retailers, like Target and Wegman’s, offer free Aira service when shopping with them.
Check out the Bridges Resource Library’s Aira entry for more information.
Be My Eyes
Be My Eyes is another human visual assistance app, but it is available at no cost.
Check out the Bridges Resource Library’s Be My Eyes entry for more information.
Reach Out to Us at the Free Bridges Helpdesk anytime!
Please check out the Bridges Technical Assistance Center Resource Library today!
Contact us
Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Bridges Technical Assistance Center’s Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:
- Our Accessible web form
- Email: Helpdesk@IMAGEmd.org
- Text or Leave a Voice mail message: (410) 357-1546
- Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page or Facebook Messenger
This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.