10 Best Accessibility Apps in 2022

There was a time when the mobile phone had the sole job of connecting people with voice calls. But with meteoric advancements in technology, these devices have now become smarter. And they are connecting people in ways you could have hardly imagined just a few decades back. They are bringing you closer to not just your loved ones but also the rest of the world by giving you access to news, social media, entertainment, and much more.

And today, smartphones are also helping individuals with disabilities to connect with their immediate environment and the world beyond that. These simple hand-held devices have taken accessibility to another level with intelligent apps that can make life easier, independent, and most importantly, more inclusive.

Best accessibility apps in 2022

So, here are some excellent accessibility apps we found on app stores. These are designed for Android users, and many of them are available as free downloads.

1. Google Assistant

The Google Assistant app uses voice technology to provide hands-free support, so you can make phone calls, send messages, draft emails, and set the alarm, all with a voice command. You can even set reminders to take your meds, get directions to the nearest grocery store, and do voice searches on its search engine.

This app can recognize natural language to provide a smoother experience, particularly for the visually impaired. And as with many other Google services, it’s free to download and may even come pre-installed on certain Android devices.

2. Live Transcribe and Sound Notifications

This is another wonderful app we found for those who are deaf or dealing with someone with a hearing impediment. It provides real-time transcriptions of conversations. And you can also type in your response for voice output.

The app covers over 80 languages and dialects and can store transcriptions for up to 3 days. Sound notifications are also there to alert you of potentially threatening situations by identifying noises like fire alarms. It can even alert you with a vibration feature when someone says your name.

3. Lookout by Google

This Google app could be an excellent choice for individuals with partial or complete blindness to help make it easier to determine their surroundings.

And it’s packed with some useful features. You can use it to scan your environment with the phone camera and identify text-based signs and objects. The Food Label mode will scan barcodes and read labels to help you recognize packaged food. It can also scan and read out text or magnify it for you to read. There’s even a currency mode that can identify US banknotes.

4. ICE — In Case of Emergency

In the event of a medical emergency, those who come forward to help you may need access to critical information such as the contact numbers of your loved ones or any medication you are on. This is where the ICE app can help you. It allows you to save important details like contact numbers, your blood group, and specific health conditions you may have. And this information turns up on the locked screen so anyone can access it without removing the screen lock.

This is an excellent emergency tool, not just for the disabled but also for the elderly and those experiencing a serious medical condition.

5. WheelMAP

A lack of wheelchair accessibility can prevent disabled individuals from traveling. Now, WheelMAP can help navigate your travels by displaying all the accessible places in a specific area. From restaurants and shops to restrooms and bus stops, it covers over 2 million places across the world. And it’s available in 32 languages.

Best of all, it allows users to add and update locations, rate their experiences, and share pictures and reviews of places they have visited. This user-generated content has allowed WheelMAP to provide more practical and accurate guidance.

6. MoodPanda

Sometimes a disability could cause extra strain and anxiety. And MoodPanda might help you get through those moments. It’s a simple app that allows you to keep a mood diary with a happiness rating. You can keep it private or share it anonymously with a community of over 100,000 users who could offer support and guidance.

And according to the developers, this app has even made The Guardian Top 30 Apps list.

7. MyLife Meditation

Earlier known as Stop, Breathe & Think, the MyLife Meditation app has made appearances on Cosmopolitan, Today Show, and Parents with over 5 million downloads. It’s designed to help you achieve calm and relaxation when you need relief from stress and anxiety.

It offers a variety of features, including guided meditations, mindfulness activities, mood trackers, guided journaling, and wind-down exercises for better sleep. The basic app is available for free, while you can access more features with a paid subscription.

8. Google Sound Amplifier

For those experiencing partial deafness, Google Sound Amplifier could be an excellent choice. It can filter out unwanted background noises and augment conversations and other important sounds. You can pair it with a wired or Bluetooth headphone for easy and convenient access.

It also comes with a sound visualizer to help you understand the noise output around you.

9. Miracle Modus

A sensory overload could have a debilitating effect on those with conditions like autism, leading to discomfort, restlessness, and stress. And Miracle Modus is designed to help you with those disturbing sensory experiences.

The app produces rainbow lights and soft bells for a soothing and relaxing effect. And according to its developer, who is also autistic, it was created based on his own calming experience with the mathematically patterned visuals.

10. Subtitle Viewer

For those with a hearing impairment, the Subtitle Viewer app provides real-time subs for movies and dramas. The app doesn’t itself play movies but will search and display subtitles, which you can sync, pause, play and even scroll back as you like. The text is also searchable, and you can export it in a file to use with other compatible apps.

A final thought

If you’re planning on using accessibility apps, selecting a solution from a reputed developer is important. This can help you avoid certain app-related troubles like unethical data tracking and sharing practices and even hacking attacks associated with third-party developers.

And keep in mind that apps rarely come without glitches. But they often improve with the help of user input over time. Besides, accessibility apps could add a significant level of convenience, ease, and comfort to your daily activities. So, they are definitely worth a try.