Technology has changed the way human beings interact with each other, but for people of determination, digital tools have opened up endless possibilities. Wearable devices backed by computer vision have recently been invented in the Middle East to inform visually impaired people about their surroundings, and a seven-year-old in the Emirates even designed a Wikipedia-like portal for those who can't type.

Top smartphone brands have upgraded their operating systems, so that people of determination can manage apps and communicate with loved ones. Similarly a platform selected as part of the Dubai Expo's Live initiative is connecting people who can't see, to volunteers through video call, for a more personal touch.

Back when the initiative was launched, it managed to attract 10,000 volunteers in a day, and today it has 4.8 million helpful netizens ready to assist over 300,000 visually impaired users across the globe. In the UAE alone, there are 5000 volunteers for 2000 people of determination, and the app is growing in a world with over two billion people who struggle with their eyesight.

Once users download Be My Eyes, they are matched with a volunteer in any part of the world based on time zones and language preferences selected by both. The idea is to ensure that those signing up to help don't receive calls between 10 PM and 7 AM, by connecting users with volunteers who speak their language, but are located in another part of the world.

Within just 15 seconds after a person of determination presses the call button, a volunteer is available to assist them via video call. The system for guidance has enabled people to perform tasks like reading out reports for pregnant women.

Apart from English, which is the most used language on the platform, Be My Eyes has 50,000 visually impaired people and 350,000 volunteers who communicate with each other in Arabic.

Currently active in 150 countries, Be My Eyes has become instrumental in lives of people who aren't comfortable being dependent on their family and friends for day-to-day activities.