​Imagine experiencing the world in a whole new way. Artificial intelligence (AI) is making that a reality for millions of people with low vision and blindness, especially across Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.

AI: A Game Changer for the Visually Impaired
AI Eyes: Picture pointing your phone and having it describe the world around you. AI-powered apps like [Envision AI] and [LookTel] are like having a digital seeing eye, helping identify objects and text with ease.

Enhanced Navigation: AI-powered wearables like NOA vests are revolutionizing mobility. Cameras and sensors warn users of obstacles and dangers, increasing confidence and independence when exploring new surroundings.

A World of Rich Description: Apps like Microsoft's Seeing AI use image recognition to paint a more complete picture of the world. They describe entire scenes, including people and their emotions, providing a deeper understanding.

Descriptive Storytelling: Text-to-speech AI like ChatGPT opens a world of literature. It can convert written text into clear audio descriptions, allowing users to enjoy books and articles independently.

The Potential of AI is Boundless
These advancements are opening doors for people with vision loss, fostering greater independence and a more fulfilling life. From navigating daily tasks to experiencing the world around them in new ways, AI is a powerful tool for positive change.

Empowering Our Communities (Supported by Eye-Link Foundation)
The Eye-Link Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to bringing these life-changing technologies to those who need them most in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. We believe everyone deserves to live an independent and fulfilling life, regardless of their sight.

How You Can Help:
Donate: Your contribution helps us provide AI-powered tools and training to people with vision loss.

Volunteer: Share your skills and become a part of our mission.

Spread Awareness: Like and share this post to help others see the possibilities of AI for those with vision loss.

Visit our website at https://www.eye-link.org/ to learn more about our programs and resources, and join us in creating a world where everyone can experience life with confidence and independence.

#AIforGood, #visionlossawareness, #MNVisionLoss, #NDVisionLoss, #WIVisionLoss
#DisabilityRights

The joy of receiving assistive equipment spreads to family members and caregivers! The daughter of a recent grant recipients expresses the critical need for hardware/software packages that have extended or expanded her mother’s remaining vision.

Dear Eye-Link Board,
 I am writing to thank you for the use of the LyriQ text to speech reader for my mother. She loves it, and has given her so much freedom. She can now read mail, daily devotions, and other literature without help. Our vision counselor Gena helped us set up the machine, and it is now a permanent fixture on Mom’s side table.

We sincerely appreciate your generosity and compassion.

Sincerely,
Sue T.

Putting assistive equipment into the hands of visually impaired people is Eye-Link’s daily mission, sharing the joy our recipients feel is our reward.

Be My Eyes is an app that pairs a blind or low-vision user with a sighted volunteer based on language and timezone. The first volunteer to answer the request is connected to that specific user and receives live video feed from the rear-facing camera of the user's smartphone.

I recently signed up as a volunteer on the Be My Eyes app - https://www.bemyeyes.com/ and here is what I want you to know:
    •    Downloading the app and signing up is extremely easy.
    •    Currently, there are 492,555 blind/visually impaired users on the app.
    •    There are 6.5 million volunteers.

I encourage you to reach out to anyone you know struggling with vision loss to sign up for the Be My Eyes app. Within a few days of signing up, I received my first call and spoke with a gentleman named “David”. David was completely blind and needed help pairing his iPad to his Bluetooth speakers. While Siri was helpful, David was dealing with some frustrations of not knowing whether his iPad was on, loading, or if

With some simple instructions, we were able to get his speakers paired and working. It was great to hear how excited he was to have the problem solved. David said he had been a long time user of the Be My Eyes app, and that it had become invaluable in helping him navigate certain technologies.
 
Whether you are blind and need help or you want to volunteer, I would encourage everyone to take a deeper look into the Be My Eyes app.  My call with David was a brief 10 minutes out of my day, but the joy of having assisted will last much longer.

Jodie Kalla

Excerpts from a recent letter about how Eye-Link is helping individuals meet the challenges of eroding sight.

"Recently, I worked with Eye-Link Minnesota to get a Ruby 7 for my client Linda R. Linda continues to be very independent despite her remaining vision decreasing. Linda and I met in early 2023 and discussed her needs for her changing vision. We determined that a Ruby 7 would be perfect for her to integrate into her everyday life and continue to increase her independence. I contacted Eye-Link through the online application and within days,  I heard back from Jeff Thompson that Linda was approved for a Ruby 7.
 
I sent it to Linda and heard from her almost immediately. She had tears in her eyes because of how amazing the product was AND how lucky she felt that she was approved. She said that this will not only help her, but also impact the lives around her because she won’t have to rely on them as much. She was and is so appreciative, she couldn’t express her thanks enough. As a counselor, that makes me incredibly happy and the state of Minnesota is so fortunate to have Eye-Link Minnesota “in our back pocket” in the instances that SSB cannot provide these life-changing devices.
 
Thank you again on behalf of not only myself, but also Linda R."

Lauren Eliason | Blind Rehabilitation Specialist
State Services for the Blind