Tag: Dorrie

Lost and Found with AirTags

Who else but Apple can solve a problem for people who are visually impaired, with a beautiful balance of inclusivity and exclusivity. This product is good for everyone, because you don’t have to be visually impaired to misplace or loose essential items like keys, wallets and backpacks. Apple’s AirTag trackers might even be good for your health, minimizing the stress and self-loathing that occurs when an everyday personal necessity goes missing.

The disk-like tag, just over an inch in diameter, is tracked by the Find My app, which also keeps tabs on your iPhone, iPad and AirPods. AirTags are set up with a simple tap gesture, in much the same way AirPods are, and each tag can be identified with a name or description. Only your device can track your AirTags. The app will identify the tags exact location and you can play a sound on the tag through the app or by asking Siri to find an AirTag with a sound signal. A lost AirTag can be scanned by any smartphone to bring up contact information. Apple is adding Separation Alerts, in iOS 15, so you’ll be informed, right away, if you leave a tag enabled item behind.

Image shows selection of AirTag case key rings in blue, red and tan colors.

Like all things Apple, AirTags at first glance carry a little sticker shock. The actual tag is $29 each, or get 4 for $99. AirTags do not attach to anything independently, thus they have spawned an entire industry of related accessories. You might drop an AirTag into a wallet or the pocket on a backpack, but most items including keys or travel bags require an AirTag case on a keyring, a luggage loop, or a case that will stick to a surface. There are AirTag cases attached to a strap for your eyeglasses, or for the collar of your dog (although tracking pets and people is discouraged). Accessories are typically priced in a range from $10 to 50. If price is not an object, take a look at the accessories designed by the iconic fashion brand Hermes, with prices topping out at $699 for a luggage tag.

More about AirTags at Apple

July 29, 2021
VoiceOver Speaks To You
When a visual impairment makes reading screen text, on a mobile phone or tablet, an arduous endeavor, it may be time to embrace VoiceOver (VO). The gesture based screen reader, built-in to the Apple iPhone and iPad, will read the words to you.

Turning on the Apple iOS screen reader can be as easy as asking Siri to “Turn on VoiceOver.” It can also be turned on in Accessibility Settings, and an Accessibility Shortcut can be set to turn on, or off, from the home screen. It is wise to first get comfortable turning VoiceOver on and off, as the regular touchscreen gestures are not functional while VO is in use.

Once VoiceOver is engaged, on your iPhone or iPad ,it requires the use of unique gestures to navigate the screen. For example: Touch or tap once to select an item and the voice tells you what it is, then double tap, anywhere on the screen, to activate the selected item. There are 12 VO gestures listed below to practice. It takes some time and concerted effort to switch from seeing to hearing the text, but it is well worth the work. In fact, once mastered, this method evokes joy.

The key to success is repetition, so go ahead and practice, practice, practice. Before long you will have learned to listen and move around the screens with great ease. The VoiceOver gestures will become second nature, committed to muscle memory.

Use your earbuds or AirPods and VoiceOver will speak just to you, privately in your ear.

Stylish mature woman practicing VoiceOver gestures on her iPhone.

Here are the Voice Over Gestures you need to know.
- Single Tap — select an item and it speaks
- Double Tap — activates selected item (tap anywhere on screen)
- One Finger Flick — right or left reads from item to item (left or right)
- Two Finger Swipe Down — starts reading at selected item
- Two Finger Swipe Up –- starts reading from top of page
- Three Finger Flick Right –- scroll forward one page
- Three Finger Flick Left –- scroll back one page
- Three Finger Flick Down/Up –- scroll up or down one page
- Three Finger Flick Down on Home Page — to open search field
- One Finger Swipe Down to 1st vibration (or with Home Button swipe up from bottom) — to open Control Center
- One Finger Swipe Down from Top to 2nd vibration (or press on Home Button) — for Notifications screen
- One Finger Swipe Up from Bottom to Top (or Press Home Button Twice) — for App Switcher
(*Note: There is a “Screen Curtain” option that blackens the screen while using VoiceOver. It is sometimes turned on accidentally when 3 fingers touch the screen 3 times. Tapping with 3 fingers 3 times again will restore the screen.)

Don’t forget, should you need help — call Apple Accessibility Support at 877.204.3939. They are on call 24/7 and Voice Over is one of their specialties.

We also love Hadley’s Listen with VoiceOver Series, video tutorials always available when you need them.

This post was originally published Feb 27, 2017 and updated Jul 15, 2021.
July 15, 2021
Click Listen And OE Reads To You
From time to time, we like to remind our readers that they can not only read the articles on OE, they can also opt to listen.

An OE subscriber, Tobie, recently told us how much she enjoys having our articles read to her and she wondered if other readers were missing out on this feature. She wrote, “I didn’t realize until recently, that the articles on your site can be read to you. Because of my vision loss, I did not see the symbol for turning on the ‘reader’ for quite a while. It is very convenient and well worth knowing about. I suspect many of your readers may not be aware of this feature.”

Tobie’s thoughtful feedback prompts us to share a brief refresher on OE Patients built in accessibility features. Our website was designed to go easy on the eyes, with uncluttered pages and clean fonts. And we elevated easy to the next level, with the addition of text to speech, which reads the page, to you, aloud.

Let’s review OE Patients accessibility options…

Listen on a Desktop Computer

At the top of the page, on the right side of the main menu, between Support Us and the Search Icon, is a large button labeled “Listen.” Click this button and within a few seconds a voice will begin reading the contents of the page. All you have to do is listen.

Listen on a Mobile Device

On mobile screens the Listen button is in Accessibility Settings. Click on the last menu button labeled AA, the Listen button is at the bottom of this drop down menu. Click it and Listen as the page is read.

OE Patients accessibility features.

Click the AA Accessibility icon, at the upper right corner, for the drop down menu selection that includes:
- Reverse Contrast
Change standard black text on white to yellow text on black, or white text on black.
- Text Size
Select from 5 sizes
- Text Only
Turn On/Off
- Listen
Reads the page to you

This post was first published on Oct 23, 2019 and refreshed on Jul 9, 2021.
July 9, 2021
Celebrate National Sunglasses Day

If you have not already developed the habit of protecting your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun, today is the day to start practicing. Learn to take the steps on a daily basis, that will preserve your precious sight. This is extremely important, not just in the summer, but every day of the year.

It’s National Sunglasses Day, a great excuse to buy yourself a fabulous new pair or get one for someone you love. We encourage everyone to express their personal style and to be sure the glasses they select are qualified for the job. The American Optometric Association recommends lenses that block out at least 99 percent of UVB and UVA rays and screen 75 to 90 percent of visible light.

There is no shortage of options for shielding eyes during all outdoor activities. Be certain your shades provide maximum protection, good coverage, fit well and look great. Choose the lens type and color that best suits your needs.

Sun is damaging to young and old eyes alike. Light eyes are at greater risk because they contain less of the melanin that protects darker eyes. All eyes are susceptible to damage over time, including the development of cataracts, macular degeneration and both ocular and skin cancers. Excessive exposure to sun rays can also burn the cornea.

Protective lenses are a must for snow sports. UV is more intense at higher altitudes and snow reflects about 80 percent of the suns rays, which is like getting hit twice. The same goes for water and sand.

Obviously, sunglasses are far more than a fashion accessory. They should be worn even on cloudy days and in shaded areas. A brimmed hat is another great way to further minimize exposure. And please don’t forget sunscreen on uncovered skin. It’s much smarter to be safe now, than sorry later.

This isn’t our first reminder about protecting your eyes from the sun. Here’s another post we shared on the subject:

“Keep The Sun Out of Your Eyes”

Group of people wearing sunglasses outside.

This article was originally posted on Jun 26, 2018 and resurfaced Jun 27, 2021.

June 27, 2021
Raising Accessibility Awareness 2021

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), started in 2012 and is celebrated on the third Thursday of May. It’s great to have a big celebration once a year, but even better to elevate awareness every day.

Accessibility is defined in its purest simplicity, as easy to deal with or get to. It is the state of things we all wish for. It is good for everyone. Although the word carries broad implications, today it largely pertains to technology, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is pushing it to new heights. If you live with vision loss, hearing loss, learning or mobility issues, accessibility can literally be the difference between yes and no.

The purpose of GAAD is to get people talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion for all needs. Accessibility is advancing by leaps and bounds, however, awareness of it has not completely followed suit. So, go ahead, start talking it up. Learn something new about your mobile device, computer or smart tech and pass it along. Talk about it in general or in specific terms. Tell a friend, a co-worker or a neighbor and ask them to tell another.

Feel free to get your awareness-raising started right here on OE Patients, where we love to talk about this topic. Take a stroll through the Accessibility & Technology section or go directly to some of our favorite posts, on the topic, linked below.

Your Smartphone is a Comprehensive Low Vision Device

Accessibility Support Phone Lines

Smart Speakers You Ask They Answer

Elevating Accessibility Awareness Everyday

Accessibility Bridges the Visual Divide

Seeing AI is a Gift from Microsoft

How Ai Compensates Vision Loss

Are You A Dictator?

The Freedom of Speech

10 Things Siri Will Do if You Ask

10 Things to Know About iPhone Accessibility

5 Ways to Make Your Computer At Work Easier To Use

In a short film celebrating GAAD, Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Microsoft’s Chief Accessibility Officer restates their commitment to creating a more inclusive world. She says, “Accessibility can be effortless, ubiquitous and empowering to everyone.”

We agree. Watch the video here.

This article was first published May 24, 2018 and update May 20, 2021.

May 20, 2021
The Freedom of Speech
Almost any degree of vision loss can make reading an arduous activity. Small text, low contrast or fancy fonts and creative color schemes often add insults to injury. As the difficulty progresses, we attempt to resolve the lacking legibility with magnifiers and more light. It often becomes a juggling act, and still the reading is just not easy.

We are hearing more and more about how people are utilizing the speech features in iPhone and Android. There is far less resistance to using speech technology now, because it is no longer an all or nothing proposition. Everyone can select just how much speech they need or desire, without having to deal with the significant learning curve a full function screen reader entails. The lighter speech options fill in the gaps across the spectrum of vision loss and may be helpful in stepping up to the full screen reader, if and when it becomes necessary.

So go ahead, take some pressure off, and start enjoying the freedom that speech can provide. While all the features are available on tablets too, it comes in particularly handy on a smartphone’s smaller screen. And if for some reason you don’t care for the voice you hear, there are plenty of others to select from.

Apple iOS (iPhone, iPad)

To access speech features in Settings go to General > Accessibility > Speech.
- Speak Selection – highlight text with the drag of a finger and the control buttons will appear, tap ‘Speak’ (or ask Siri to “Speak Selection”).
- Speak Screen – swipe down from the top with 2 fingers to have the entire screen read to you.
- Typing Feedback – hear letters, words, corrections and predictions when you cannot see the keyboard clearly.
- VoiceOver – the full function screen reader, operated with its own set of gestures. This is involves a leaning curve. More about this on OE: Let VoiceOver Do The Reading
- Speaking Rate – adjust the speed to your preference.
- Voices – if you don’t like the default voice, there are plenty of others to choose from.
- Voice Control – allows you to use your voice to control your iOS device.
- Voice Assistant – Siri is there for the asking, make a call, send a message, search the web and much more.
10 Things Siri Will Do If You Ask

10 MORE Things Siri Will Do If You Ask

Android OS

Many similar speech features are included in Android devices and can be found in the Settings app under Accessibility.
- Select to Speak – for Android reads selected text or describes selected items.
- TalkBack – is Google’s screen reader included on Android devices, (like VoiceOver) it provides spoken feedback enabling the use of device without seeing the screen.
- Voices – choose your preferred speech engine, speaking rate and pitch.
- Voice Assistant – Say “Hey Google,” and the Android smart assistant is at your service
Speech for some is a natural transition, for others it takes some adjusting. For everyone with vision loss, it’s an excellent alternative.

This article was originally published Aug 23, 2019 and updated May 17, 2021
May 17, 2021
Google’s Lookout 2.0
Not very long ago, news about developing technologies for people visually impaired or blind was not widely reported, if reported at all. It was also unusual for this kind of news to be attached to the biggest technology companies on the planet. All that has definitely changed! In 2018, Google announced an Android app in development called ‘Lookout,’ its purpose to help people with vision loss, identify objects around them and read text. The news was quickly shared by many news outlets, noteworthy because while Google has been involved in the creation of accessible Android applications for quite some time, they had not previously made big pronouncements about it.

The accessibility app was first launched in 2019 and has recently been updated. Lookout is designed to deliver spoken notifications with minimal interaction. So it does not create a juggling act for the user, it is recommended that the smartphone be carried in a shirt pocket or on a lanyard, camera facing out.

Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), it utilizes camera vision to help people, who are visually impaired, get the information they need without having to ask others for help. The enhanced access is delivered now in these 5 modes:
- Explore – identifies objects in your environment
- Shopping – reads barcodes and currency
- Quick Read – for signs, labels and mail
The newest features in 2.0 are:
- Food labels – identification of packaged foods
- Document scan – captures and reads full detail
Lookout 2.0 is now available on Google Play for devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow or later with 2GB of RAM available. This is a free app, it does not require an internet connection and uses machine learning to identify items of importance and keep delivering the information people are interested in. In addition to English, the app is now localized for French, German and Italian.

Get more information about using Lookout and share your feedback by contacting the Google Disability Support Team online or on the BeMYEyes app.

Lookout is not currently available for Apple iOS devices, but a similar app called Seeing AI is.

This article was previously published Jul 26, 2019 and updated Mar 26, 2021.
March 26, 2021
Switching To iPhone? Here’s A Guide
We are often asked for guidance on buying an iPhone for the first time. The initial move from a feature or flip phone, or from an Android phone to an iPhone requires personalized setup, and a mix of patience and practice to adjust. The reason for switching, in this case, is the advanced accessibility iPhone offers for people with visual impairments or blindness.

The real initial setup of an iPhone only has to happen once. Next time you upgrade your iPhone, the data, apps and settings will transfer from iCloud and fill the new phone with all your stuff. This way it’s totally familiar and there’s no need to start the whole process over again with each new model.

People browsing in an Apple Store.

At The Apple Store:

What You Need to Know

The Apple Store is the best place to buy the iPhone and get it set up. It is not always so easy to get your phone set up at a mobile retail store, especially when it involves accessibility. At the Apple Store, there is a process for “Personal Setup,” and they know this phone intimately.
- iPhone model: Newer models are always best for the long term. The best model for you may be dependent on screen size. Try them in the store, ask your sales specialist to show you larger text and contrast settings to determine whether they enhance your ability to read.
- iPhone storage size: The phones come in different storage sizes. For new users, the smallest, which is now 64GB, should suffice. If you are planning to access a large photo or music library, you may want to consider more space.
- VoiceOver: For those of us unable to read the screen comfortably in any text or screen size, option 2 is learning to use VoiceOver, iPhone’s full-function screen reader. This does add to the learning curve, but totally worth the work! More on this from OE: Let iPhone’s VoiceOver Do The Reading
- Apple Care Plus: Consider Apple Care Plus for extended warranty and replacement. This can be a good thing to have, just in case.
- Apple ID and iCloud: If you already have an Apple ID and iCloud account, be prepared to provide the username and password. If not, they will be created at setup. (To lessen any potential confusion, always best to make the Apple ID and iCloud accounts the same username & password.)
- Email password: Your email address and password are also required to set the Mail app, don’t forget.
At Personal Setup:

What You Need To Do
- Set larger text, bold text, display accommodations, increase contrast (as needed)
- Transfer Contacts from previous phone (if possible)
- Set A Passcode Lock and Face ID (or don’t, it’s easier without)
- Set Auto-Lock for 5 minutes so the screen doesn’t keep locking as you are learning
- Set up “Hey Siri”
- Turn on Dictation
- Set up your email
- Make a few calls right away from the Apple Store so you know how to use the phone, then go right home and practice making calls, answering calls, ending calls
- Turn on VoiceOver or Speak Screen (if needed)
- Once the VO setting is turned on, VO can be turned on/off by asking Siri
Learning:

Here Are The Keys

The key to success is repetition. So keep in mind, if you repeat an action 25 – 30 times, it gets committed to muscle memory, and then you just begin doing it automatically. This is not a matter of technical ability, it’s simply perseverance. Everyone, regardless of visual acuity, experiences the learning curve.

For VoiceOver users, the curve is a bit steeper, but (take it from one who knows) the conquest is even sweeter! You’ll need to begin practicing the VoiceOver gestures that navigate the screen. Again, it’s all about practice, the more you touch the screen the better you become. For your reference, here’s the list of VoiceOver Gestures.

Apple Accessibility Support Phone Line: (877-204-3930) is an invaluable learning tool. A dedicated line for customers with visual, hearing, motor and learning impairments, available 24/7. Not only will they answer your questions and resolve your issues, they will also provide tutorials on the use of apps. Don’t be shy, they want to hear from you. If you’re stuck…call them. If you want to learn something new…call them. There’s no limit.

Get your learning started with these topics…
- Get familiar with Phone app: Recent calls, Contacts, Voice Mail
- Use Siri to make a call by name or phone number
- Learn to save phone numbers and emails to Contacts
- Find the ways Siri can work best for you…here are 10 Things Siri Will Do If You Ask
- Learn to send text messages
- Learn to send, and reply to, email
- Learn to use the Dictate key instead of typing… Are You A Dictator?
Practice is a must – put in an hour a day getting comfortable.

Once you’re phoning, emailing and texting with confidence, you’re ready to move on and master more apps of your choosing. The apps you use every day will become ingrained and after a while, you won’t even have to think about it.

A virtual and comprehensive catalog of iPhone courses is available at HadleyHelps.org and it’s as good as one-to-one training. They offer live expert help and phone support too, all fee-free….Meet Hadley 2.0, Your Personal Tutor.

This article was originally published Nov. 8, 2018, and updated Mar. 18, 2021.

Please note that this article was not paid for, affiliated with, or endorsed by any third-party companies. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author’s.
March 18, 2021
Best of OE 2019

As the pandemic continues, we can’t help but feel nostalgic for 2019, so let’s circle back for a look at OE’s top pages last year. Here’s the list with links, for our most popular posts and podcasts. If you’d prefer to have the text of pages read to you, just click the button marked “Listen” on the upper right menu.

Fresh vegetables and fruits spread out on a gray table.

The Anti-AMD Diet

The foods we consume can play a powerful role in preventing or minimizing the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Read Now

Worker with hard hat falling onto concrete floor.

Don’t Take The Fall, Prevent It

Falling becomes significantly more dangerous as we age. Alice Massa, OT, shares her expert advice aimed at elevating awareness and lowering our risk of taking the fall at all. This page was so popular, we decided to record a podcast with the same title…linked with our podcasts below. Read Now

Three seniors using different technology in a living room.

OE Agrees With AAO

The American Academy of Ophthalmology says many more people will have low vision in the coming years and the tragedy is most are unaware of how to deal with it. OE highlights the information everyone needs to know.
Read Now

Alexa app screen showing a list of featured and new books.

Alexa, Read My Book

Alexa can read Kindle and Audible books from a Fire tablet or an Echo speaker. Once it’s set up, all you have to do is ask. Read Now

View of the left side of a black car with Uber sticker.

Your Driver Has Arrived

Ride-sharing services are available with the tap of an app. Here are some tips for customers with vision loss.
Read Now

Couple dancing together in a living room.

Healthy Aging And Eyes

Healthy aging is not just about how you look, it has everything to do with how you see. Take these steps today to preserve your sight for tomorrow. Read Now

Hand taking a picture of supermarket bottles with a smartphone.

Aira Adds A Free Tier

If you’ve ever wished you could just borrow a good pair of eyes to help with a quick task, you’ll definitely want to read this post. Read Now

Hands holding a present with more gifts and ornaments on a green background.

Hottest Low Vision Gifts

Our gift guide from last season remained a top page all year and the selection holds up beautifully. Read Now

This year’s list is also not to be missed. Read Now

OE Patients Podcast in white text with magenta and white OE Patients logo.

OE Patients Podcast

There is no doubt about it, the big star of 2019 was the launch of our podcast. Subscribe to OE Patients Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or listen on OE.

Episode 1: Siri, Google & Alexa

Episode 2: Don’t Take The Fall, Prevent It

Episode 3: A Conversation With Hadley’s Douglas Walker

Subscribe to our Monthly Roundup emails so you won’t miss a thing in 2020! Sign Up Now

This post was first published December 19, 2019 and resurfaced September 3, 2020.

September 3, 2020
Improve Your Outlook
Optimism and positivity are inherited traits. Studies show they can also be learned behaviors. It is never too soon, or too late, to build the skills that help us bounce back from adversity.

Facing vision loss is a daunting proposition by any standard. Although we may feel discouraged and overwhelmed at times, getting trapped in negativity is detrimental to overall health and well-being.

Possessing the ability to change the way we think, is a gift in itself. Choosing to exercise our mental muscle builds resilience and resolve. Working on a brighter perspective won’t improve your eyesight, but it will help you see better.

Visual impairments range from minor to severe across a wide spectrum. Even the great majority of people meeting the qualification for “legal blindness” have significant usable sight. People generally exhibit an amazing ability to adjust and carry on. A positive outlook and can-do spirit are qualities key to success.

Here are a few steps toward a brighter perspective:
- Acknowledge and value the vision you have. Take time each day to look around and appreciate the things you can see. Go for a walk in the park. Admire the ever-changing sky. Watch the sunrise or set. Get close up to see the face of someone you love and give them a kiss.
- Live in the present, don’t waste precious time lamenting your vision past or future.
- Give yourself credit for triumphs, even small ones. Every success builds confidence and buffers against depression.
- Practice and repeat. The more you do, the better you get.
- Use your experience to help others. Optimism is infectious.
Tell us: what keeps your glass half full?

This article was first published August 7, 2017 and refreshed August 20, 2020
August 20, 2020
Get Back The Joy Of Reading With NLS

Accessing audiobooks is a popular topic as we face limited options for entertainment during the pandemic. Two new podcasts on the subject are in production, and we’re refreshing OE’s best articles highlighting programs, services and technologies that promote listening to literature.

Vision loss often takes the joy out of reading. Enlarging print can make reading possible — but not necessarily easy. This is particularly true for reading books.

Transitioning from reading visually to listening is a worthwhile process — it can give you back the joy. Not everyone loves the first audiobook experience. It requires a new kind of focus. Initially, for some people, it can be like a sleeping pill.

Stick with it. In the relatively short term, you will find it is every bit as good as the reading you thought was lost forever. Remember, reading a good book is not the act of seeing the words with your eyes — it is really about getting immersed in the story, the characters, the subject matter.

Don’t get caught up in the change. Get caught up in the content. If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again.

An excellent way to get this process started is to sign up for the National Library Service Talking Books Program. Eligible borrowers receive audio books delivered postage free. A digital book player is provided, also free of charge.

Audiobooks can be easily ordered with a phone call to your local network library. Books can be requested by title, by author, by subject, or by categories such as mystery, history, biography, etc.

There is no due date for the return of your borrowed books and there is no fee for late returns. Listen to books at your own pace. When finished, just flip the mailing label over and return the disk to the library.

In addition to audiobooks, NLS also makes a selection of magazines and music available to borrowers.

Visit NLS online or click here for application.

Or you can call 888.NLS.READ (888.657.7323) and follow prompts to get an application or find the library in your area that administers the Talking Books Program.

Reading disability must be certified by a doctor, nurse, optician, social worker, or a librarian on the application. It is not necessary to be legally blind to qualify.

Alternatively, Apple iPhone and iPad users, and Android phone and tablet users can download NLS digital content directly through the Bard Mobile App (available on the App Store and on Google Play). The app requires a second registration which will provide a password for logging on. For user guide and registration form, search online for “BARD Mobile Application.”

Go ahead and enjoy a good read!

Resources

National Library Service

888.657.7323

Online: www.loc.gov/nls/

Click here for application.

This article was first published on OE, March 2, 2017 and refreshed July 17, 2020.

Please note that this article was not paid for, affiliated with, or endorsed by any third-party companies. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author’s.

July 17, 2020
GoGo Grandparent Gets An Uber Without An App
Uber and Lyft are technology companies operating new-age transportation networks on a global scale. Their names have become synonymous with dated terminology like taxi or cab. They deliver transportation to people where and when they need it. The entire process fully transacted on a smartphone app.

Naturally, this seems like a perfect fit for the transportation needs of older adults. But according to a study by PEW Research, less than 1% of Uber customers are 65 and older, while about 4 in 10 seniors are using smartphones.

Justin Boogaard was living with his Grandma Betty, after college, when she gave him the idea for GoGo Grandparent. Betty noticed her grandson was taking a lot of Ubers wherever he needed to go. She recognized this could be a great way for her to get around as well and she wanted to get in on the action. One problem: Uber can only be summoned by app, and Betty didn’t have a smartphone.

Image shows a grandmother happy and talking on the phone.

Necessity is, after all, the grandmother of invention. Justin set out to find Betty an easier way to get an Uber, and a startup was born. GoGo Grandparent takes the app out of the equation as it adds people back in. Less technology and more personal attention open up these transportation services to a significant demographic they would not have otherwise attracted. With GoGo Grandparent the transaction is conducted by phone, with customer service agents. They order the car, communicate with the driver, and monitor your trip.

There is technically no age requirement, so you don’t actually have to be a Grandparent and you can schedule a ride from any phone you choose. The concierge fee for this service is $0.27 a minute, which means if the ride takes 15 minutes the fee added to your fare is $4.05.

Uber and Lyft cars are notoriously difficult to locate, particularly if you are visually impaired. GoGo Grandparent can help by making the driver aware and by providing the customer with more detailed location information.

Image shows a smiling grandfather talking on phone.

GoGo Grandparent recently added a membership requirement and new services – here’s an update.

Basic Membership

The basic membership now carries a monthly fee of $9.99, enabling customers to order an Uber or Lyft from any phone, no app required. There is also a Concierge Fee, of $0.27 per minute, added to the fare and billed to your credit card by GoGo Grandparent. No cash is exchanged. Set up custom pick up locations, use voice commands for ordering, and set up family alerts to keep your loved ones in the loop.

Gold Client Membership

An upgrade to GoGo Gold Client is $30 a month and and it offers premium perks including:
- Driver rings your doorbell, buzzer, or house phone
- Driver accompanies you to the car
- Gold Client calls are priority transferred to an operator
- One cancellation free every month
- Prescription pickup & delivery
GoGo Gourmet & Grocery Deliveries

Just in time for the COVID-19 pandemic, GoGo Grandparent expanded its app-free ordering to include food and groceries delivered to your door. Restaurant orders are fulfilled by delivery services like DoorDash, GrubHub, Postmates and Uber Eats, with a Concierge Fee of $6.50 per order for Basic Members, $2 for Gold Clients. Groceries are fulfilled locally by Instacart, Walmart, Postmates and Shipt, with a Concierge Fee of $13 for Basic Members and $5 for Gold Clients.

If this sounds interesting and you think you’d like to try it out, GoGo will also give you a 30-day free trial.

Phone: 855.464.6872

GoGoGrandparent.com

Please note, this article was not paid for, affiliated with, or endorsed by any third-party companies. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author’s.

Originally published on October 2, 2017 and updated on June 17, 2020.
June 18, 2020