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With advances in technology, the disability community is seeing a surge in innovative mobile apps that enhance accessibility, independence and daily living. From communication aids to navigation tools, these cutting-edge solutions are empowering people with disability by removing barriers and promoting inclusion. Here’s a look at some of the best disability apps making a positive impact in 2024.

Be My Eyes

Be My Eyes connects blind or low-vision people with sighted volunteers through video calls. The app provides real-time assistance with everyday tasks, such as reading labels, identifying objects, or navigating unfamiliar environments. It’s a great tool for enhancing independence, offering users instant support from anywhere.

Key features:

• Access to more than six million volunteers worldwide
• 24/7 assistance
• Supports more than 180 languages

Price: Free

WheelMate

Finding accessible bathrooms and parking spaces can be a challenge for wheelchair users. WheelMate helps solve this issue by providing an interactive map showing nearby accessible facilities. Users can also rate locations, ensuring that the information is up-to-date and reliable.

Price: Free

Key features:

• User-reviewed listings
• Coverage in more than 45 countries
• Navigation to accessible restrooms and parking spots

Proloquo2Go

Proloquo2Go is a top app for people with speech impairments. Designed for people with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other disabilities, this augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app provides a voice to those who cannot speak. With customisable symbols and a range of voices, it empowers users to communicate more effectively.

Key features:

• Extensive symbol-based language system
• Customisable vocabulary and settings
• Bilingual support for English, French and Spanish

Price: $400

RogerVoice

RogerVoice is a transcription app designed for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. It converts voice calls into text in real-time, allowing individuals to read what the other person is saying during a phone conversation. The app works across most mobile devices and is compatible with various phone services.

Key features:

• Real-time voice-to-text conversion
• Instant messaging for deaf and hard-of-hearing users
• Available in multiple languages

Price: Free

Seeing AI

Developed by Microsoft, Seeing AI is a cutting-edge app for people with visual impairments. It uses artificial intelligence to describe people, text, objects and even currency. By simply pointing the phone’s camera at an item, users can get a detailed description through speech output.

Key features:

• Scene descriptions using AI
• Text recognition for reading documents
• Barcode scanning for product identification

Price: Free

AVA

AVA is a powerful app for people with hearing impairments, particularly in group settings. It transcribes conversations in real time, so users can follow along with discussions happening around them. The app can capture multiple speakers and displays the text in an easy-to-read format.

Key features:

• Instant speech-to-text for group conversations
• Multi-speaker detection
• Real-time transcription with accurate captioning

Price: Free

Sesame Enable

Sesame Enable offers hands-free mobile control technology tailored for people with limited or no hand mobility due to conditions such as spinal cord injuries, ALS, cerebral palsy, or arthritis.

Using the device’s front-facing camera, the app tracks head movements, allowing users to control their smartphone or tablet without touching the screen.

Whether it’s making calls, sending texts, browsing the internet, or accessing social media, Sesame Enable empowers users to maintain independence and stay connected.

Key features:

• Touch-free control 
• Voice commands
• Customisable head-tracking sensitivity