Technology for vision impairment
Technology is a big part of our everyday lives. And if you're living with vision impairment, you can find a range of assistive technology to suit your needs and lifestyle.
Here we recommend accessibility technology products and tools that can help you or your family living with sight loss. From mobile phones and accessibility apps and features, to smart home devices, screen readers, software and braille - we know the difference the right tech can make.
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On this page
Reading and writing
Learn about the ways you can continue to enjoy reading with a vision impairment, including braille, screen readers and magnification devices and software.
Learn about what braille is, how to recognise braille and the differences between contracted and uncontracted braille.
Learning braille can open a world of possibilities for people with sight loss. Find out more about reading braille with our expert advice.
Learn more about how braille printers work and how they can help enhance your life if you have a visual impairment. Find out more with Guide Dogs.
A screen reader is an essential piece of software for a person with sight loss. Here we explore the best paid and free screen readers on offer.
Our guide to the best equipment and visual aids for viewing and reading nearby objects when you have a vision impairment.
Read about how large print keyboards help people with sight loss and which are the best large print keyboards in the market.
Assistive technology – for me, a screen reader and Braille display – empowers me with access to the tools and information I need to be independent, flourish at work and pursue my hobbies. In short, it allows me to live my life on my terms.
Mobile phone accessibility features
Smart phones have a range of accessibility settings and apps which are either built into your phone's operating system or can be downloaded. Read about how these features can help you live independently and well with sight loss.
Our guide to the best accessible apps for people with a visual impairment, including apps for reading, navigating and identifying.
Make the most of your Apple devices with our guide to the best iOS accessibility features for people with a vision impairment.
Learn about the different accessibility features of Android devices, what they do, and where to find them in your phone or tablet
Everything you need to know about Google’s screen reader app, with setup information and benefits.
Living independently with technology
Join Alba for a day in the life with her husband and kids, as she shows us how she uses technology to make everyday tasks easier and enable her to do the same things as sighted parents. Whether it’s using a voice assistant to make sure they’re not running late for the school run or adding braille to her children’s books so she can read to them at bedtime.
Smart home devices
Find out how you can use smart home devices to make everyday tasks and activities simpler when you’re living with a vision impairment.
Amazon's smart speaker is a great piece of tech that can help you build your smart home. Explore how can Alexa help you at home.
Smart heaters can be an intelligent addition to your heating system at home. Find out how a smart heater can be controlled remotely.
Learn about smart thermostats and how they can make it easier for people with vision impairment to live independently at home.
Find out how smart lighting can help you in your home. You can control them by just using your voice, making them accessible if you have vision impairment.
Many modern smart TVs have great built-in accessibility features for people with sight loss, including accessibility shortcut buttons and screen magnification.
Talking kitchen scales help people with sight loss weigh food, liquids and other items. Find out the features of leading talking kitchen scales in our guide.
Explore talking clocks available in the UK, with a range of features and designs to suit different needs.
Wearables
Discover wearable technology that makes everyday life and work easier to help with your vision impairment.
Discover the headphones we recommend for people with vision impairment, including open-ear and in-ear headphones, and how to navigate safely while wearing them.
Smartwatches are a useful tool for people with vision impairment, providing support for navigation, notifications, and more. Discover how they can enhance your independence in daily life.