Probably everybody knows about this, but hey. Maybe it’s good to have it up somewhere for people to find. This was emailed to me from GDB.
GDB Partners with Be My Eyes
Greetings GDB Alumni!
I have some very exciting news to share with you. On Monday, September 14 GDB will begin providing specialized support to alums through Be My Eyes, a free app designed for people who are blind and visually impaired. It is available for use on your phone or tablet! This app will allow you to access GDB Client Services and Admissions staff via a video platform for any issues that may be best addressed by staff visually connecting with you and your guide. There’s no question that we find ourselves in a time of uncertainty, GDB is excited to find new ways like Be My Eyes to help alumni overcome everyday barriers and provide the absolute best care for their guide dogs.
Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Pacific time, alumni can now ask questions about any relevant issues regarding your guide dog that might require live visual assistance from GDB through Be My Eyes. Examples include:
- Addressing issues with harnesses or other guide dog equipment and supplies.
- Reading labels on your guide’s food, medication, or other written materials.
- Inspecting the physical condition of your dog.
- Accessing or interacting with the GDB website.
If you need visual assistance with matters not related to your guide dog, you can simply tap the “Call the First Volunteer” button. For GDB specialized service, tap on the “Specialized Help” button and then scroll down to “Blindness Organizations”, and then tap “Guide Dogs for the Blind.”
You can download the Be My Eyes app for free on your smartphone or tablet. It’s available for both iOS and Android devices – Download from Google Play or Download from App Store. After downloading, launch the Be My Eyes app to register. The app will take you through a short 5-step registration process:
- Select whether you are a blind user or a sighted volunteer.
- Choose whether to sign up with Facebook, Google or email. For iOS users, an Apple ID sign up option is available as well.
- Confirm your email address by clicking the verification link that is sent to your email.
- Select your primary language. – When you make a call, you’ll be connected to the first available volunteer who speaks your primary language. You can always change your preference and add secondary languages in the app settings.
- Allow access to microphone, camera, and notifications to be able to make video calls
Amidst the ongoing coronavirus epidemic and social distancing ordinances, GDB continues to help ensure its graduates have the resources needed to live happily and independently.
The Alumni Association Board will be hosting a Speakers Series on how to get the most out of this app – stay tuned for details on date and time of the presentation!
If you have questions, please reach out to Joe Weber, Be My Eyes Manager, Accessibility Solutions, at: +1 314-330-3425, or Theresa Stern, tstern(at)guidedogs(dot)com
If you wondered why the email address sounds weird, it was modified to hopefully prevent yucky spam bots from hoovering it up and spamming it.
I haven’t looked at BeMyEyes in a while, and wow, has the specialized help area ever broadened out. There are not only many more companies, but there are categories! I look at some of the options and wonder what the heck that’s there for, but hey. I guess if it helps somebody and gives a company good PR, then awesome.
That is definitely way cool. Hopefully people get lots of use out of it.
