Microsoft joins Be My Eyes app to provide tech support to Blind and Low Vision customers

For 900,000 people across 150 countries, the Be My Eyes app and its hundreds of thousands of sighted volunteers help people who are Blind or Low Vision do tasks, like cooking, or helping them find something they lost, reading a letter or even directing them to catch the right bus. The free smartphone app, available on iOS and Android, facilitates these conversations by video.

However, the team at Be My Eyes noticed a growing number of technology-related requests to volunteers. The team decided to build a new channel for their customers to reach the experts: this new feature is Specialized Help, available today when you update the app.

Microsoft is the first company to be highlighted in Specialized Help, offering Be My Eyes customers a direct connection to receive technical assistance from the Disability Answer Desk, a free consumer service for Microsoft’s customers with disabilities.

The app will work the same, connecting customers through video; but instead of reaching out to volunteers, customers will work directly with a member of the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk to get support on questions about their Microsoft product or service.

Through the new app update, customers in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Ireland, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, and the United States will be able to connect with the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk.

At Microsoft, we are on a journey to empower people with disabilities and want to provide the best experience to all of our customers. This collaboration is another opportunity to provide great support to more people.

Starting today, when you update the app, you will see the new Specialized Help menu.

To download the free Be My Eyes app, visit the Apple iOS store or the Google Play store.