Apps for the

Disabled

 

 

I have now produced 2 apps for the iPhone / iPad to help disabled people like myself, who have a visual impairment. One of the apps relies heavily on giving spoken information to the user (in the case of my other app CaravanLevel, the spoken data is because that is the most convenient way to assist the user). The first app I wrote (Where Am I) speaks your current location and if near housing the house number. I designed it to be used single handed just by shaking your phone, although there is also a big button. There is a map view which automatically speaks the road name as you walk along or even works on a bus.

 

The second app called Blue Badge Parking displays all the local parking spaces marked by other users (called crowd sourcing) and there are in excess of 9000 locations. When you find a location that you would like to try the app includes mapping to drive there or when your vehicle is parked how to walk back.

 

Recently I finish an app for the Apple Watch which works well and speaks the time, date and battery level. Its call Talking Watch but unfortunately Apple refuses to allow it to be published because it's a watch face (even though I hid the time). If anybody would like to try and test it, please email me.

 

For full details on the 2 published apps see below.

 

 

Disable Badge Parking app description:-

This app uses a database of parking locations by kind permission of Dan Gibson at “BlueBadgeParking.com”. After the initial launch of app, if you don’t have cellular connection it uses the last version saved. When launched, the app looks for nearest available spaces to your current location based on the Search Radius selected in ‘Settings’ (default 3 miles / 4.5kms).

 

Basic method of use:-

1/ App launches in ‘Map’ tab and if it only shows “You Are Here” pin you can either increase Search Radius (Max 7 miles or 10 kms) or type a town / city into search box at top of the map. Assuming there are parking locations within the chosen search radius in setting, the view will then add all the locations it’s found with blue pins, which you can tap to reveal their description and other options. The database is automatically updated once 14 days has elapsed to keep app current and the Full database is replaced every 6 months so nothing is missed.

2/ You can review the same information in the ‘List’ tab where the nearest parking space is at the top. To view a specific location, touch its descriptions and the ‘Map’ tab opens again showing the location of that parking, plus the flag displays the description.

3/ When any of the location pin flags are visible with more options, the flag will have a blue circle containing an ‘i’, if you touch that a menu appears with 3 Navigation Options.

 

Searching other Towns:-

In the main ‘Map’ tab, touch the search box at the top and a keyboard will appear. While you type predictive text is shown so when the Town name you want appears touch it, then press blue ‘Return’ button. You can enter not only the name of a Town or City but also Post or Zip codes or Latitude and Longitude (separated by a comma). If there is only a single yellow ‘Search’ pin then no parking was found, so either increase Search Radius in ‘Settings’ or try a nearby town. If there are spaces the screen will zoom to show them all. If you touch Zoom button it zooms out to include your current location and toggles back if it’s touched again. To return to your current location either touch the yellow pin’s flag with the blue circle containing an ‘i’ and chose “Back to Your Location” or click inside search box, then touch blue ‘Cancel’ button.

 

Map tab:-

The circular ‘Zoom’ button toggles between 3 views, Zoom just the nearby locations or your location & all the nearby locations and if pin is selected (flag appears) then it zooms right into just that location. If “Enable Zoom with Satellite view” is switched on in settings, then for just this one situation the zoomed view is a satellite map so you can hopefully see the actual parking space(s). If you touch zoom button again, it zooms out and returns to chosen map type.

 

The location pin has a blue circle containing an ‘i’ flag on the right side, if you touch that a menu appears with these Navigation Options.

• Location to Clipboard – Use this to paste the pin’s location (latitude & longitude) into another app or share with a friend.
• Open Apple Maps – After Apple app opens it automatically sets the destination and plans the route from your current location. Choose your preferred route if more than one is offered, then touch ‘Start’ at the bottom.
• Edit Location – Use this if you want to Edit any text or its location.
• Location Direction – Displays arrow pointing towards pin location and includes distance. As you walk these are updated. *
• Show Walking Route – a blue line is added to map showing the best route to the selected pin.
• Cancel.
• * Note if the pin is a ‘Marked’ version (Pin with a car) the options are ‘Discard Marked’ and ‘Marked Direction Arrow’.

 

List tab:-

The list, which is, sorted so nearest to you, or if you used the search box then nearest that location is at the top. Parking locations are within the same Search Radius as Map tab but these can be changed in Settings tab. If your location is changing for example when you are traveling then ‘pull’ list down ‘to refresh’ the distances and locations. NOTE:- The distances shown on the right are ‘line of sight’ values, not the actual route your car travels, which will be greater.

If you would like to view a particular location just touch the description and the ‘Map’ tab opens with just that location shown.

 

Notify tab (The following features will be added soon):-

This tab lets you Add, Edit, Mark, Move & Delete locations.

• To Add a new location either touch ‘You are Here’ pin which is your current location when tab opened (or use the refresh circular button) or ‘touch & hold’ on the map and a pin will appear. The road name is added automatically when you are connected to the Internet, so you only need to type in the description and touch the spaces slider to select number (it also adds the word ‘space’ when you use the ‘Add’ button).
• To Edit any existing location, touch the pin and either ’touch & drag’ it to a new position (this can be repeated before using ‘Move’ button) or change any of the location / description wording or delete the pin. Tip:- If you need to update the road name, just delete the existing text and when you touch Edit button the new road name is add automatically.

 

Settings tab:-

This tab lets you change the search radius, distance units, enable / disable Beep Sounds, Delete Marked, Enable Shake feature, Disable Screen Auto Lock, Enable Zoom with Satellite view and Shake in Map Tab which has 3 options. These settings are remembered when the app is closed, ready for next time.

 

 

 

Where Am I app description:-

This app is designed specifically for the visually impaired but anybody can use it as a simple way of finding your current location. The approach is an easy to use interface, with only a few big buttons, swipe gestures and shaking of the iDevice. The main 2 unique features are that it has speech built in and with a simple ‘double tap’ on the main screen, it tells you the road or street you are in. If you are near a property, it also says the house number. The help instructions are ‘audible’ so no need to read text or use VoiceOver if you want help, just shake your iDevice.

 

It displays and says 4 pieces of information:-

The house number and road / street.

The postcode / zip code.

The town name.

The What3Words text phrase.

On the second screen it displays a map of the area you are in but zoomed into a small area, so that you could get help form a sighted person for directions.

 

Basic method of use:-

1/ When you start the app it gathers 4 details of your location and displays them on the screen.

2/ Using one finger ‘double tap’ anywhere on the screen and it speaks the road name.

3/ If you ‘double tap’ with two fingers, it reads out all 4 lines of information.

4/ If you need help using the app then just shake your iDevice and it ‘speaks’ the instructions.

 

Swipe Gestures:-

To view the map, just swipe horizontally either from Left to Right or Right to Left.

 

Shake Gesture:-

In Main screen a quick shake starts the Audible Help instructions. Shake it again and the speech stops

In the Map screen just shake iDevice to hear your location.

 

 

Disable Badge Parking :-

 

Where Am I :-

 

 

 

 

For further details, availability and contact address please email us.