Neuromyelitis Optica is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells, most commonly in the optic nerves and spinal cords. Due to these attacks NMO patients can suffer from temporary or permanent blindness. Losing one’s vision can be difficult as we try to navigate through an increasingly visual world. Technology has made life for those with vision problems a little more manageable with smartphone apps that can help with reading/listening to a book, learn braille or tell you what kind of money is in your hand. Suggestions for apps that help NMO patients were received via Facebook and can also be submitted on the NMO Apps and Software page.
Audiobooks from Audible
Not enough time for all the books you want to enjoy? Download the app by Audible, an Amazon company, to listen to books on the go. Turn on a good book even when you can’t pick one up—on your way to work, at the gym, while folding laundry, or any other time your eyes and hands are busy.
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» Apple Cost: Free |
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» Android Cost: Free |
Bluefire
Bluefire Reader is the best way to read Adobe® Content Server protected eBooks on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. With Bluefire Reader you can read EPUB and PDF eBooks from retailers, publishers and libraries around the world.
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» Apple Cost: Free |
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» Android Cost: Free |
Braille Tutor
Learn and practice contracted braille (Unified English Braille) with Braille Tutor! Braille Tutor provides an interactive learning experience for a sighted or blind braille learner. It works on iPad using onscreen keys or home keys on a Bluetooth keyboard. It is self-voiced, but also works with iOS accessibility.
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» Apple Cost: Free |
Dragon Dictation
Dragon Dictation is an easy-to-use voice recognition application powered by Dragon® NaturallySpeaking® that allows you to easily speak and instantly see your text or email messages. In fact, it’s up to five (5) times faster than typing on the keyboard.
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» Apple Cost: Free |
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» Android Cost: Free |
Evernote
Evernote is the modern workspace that helps you be your most productive self. Evernote is where you do the work to achieve it. Write notes of all types, from short lists to lengthy research, and access them on any device.
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» Apple Cost: Free |
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» Android Cost: Free |
EyeNote
EyeNote is a mobile device application to denominate Federal Reserve Notes (U.S. paper currency) as an aid for the blind or visually impaired to increase accessibility. Users can have the denomination of a note scanned and communicated back to the user.
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» Apple Cost: Free |
Kindle
The Kindle app puts over a million books at your fingertips. It’s the app for every reader, whether you’re a book reader, magazine reader, or newspaper reader. Audiophiles can start listening to their Audiobooks immediately upon download thanks to progressive playback.
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» Apple Cost: Free |
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» Android Cost: Free |
Pastime Audiobooks
Pastime is an eyes-free audio book player. We built Pastime from the ground up for the visually impaired, though everyone is welcome to use it. Many audiobook players have small buttons, which are hard to see, and difficult to press accurately. To solve this, we have designed an entirely gesture based interface.
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» Apple Cost: Free |
Pocket Reader
Designed and developed for visually impaired and blind users, this app converts printed texts into digital texts, reading them with VoiceOver right after the conversion.
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» Apple Cost: Free |
SayText
SayText reads out loud the text in the image. It is intended for the visually impaired users. SayText is a free spin off product from the DocScanner team.
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» Apple Cost: Free |
For more apps and software that may help with Neuromyelitis Optica, visit the NMO Apps and Software page where you can also recommend apps and/or software.
