Being able to quickly record, and play back, an audio label for your groceries, laundry, DVDs, toiletries, medication and more is a great tool in your everyday accessibility kit.
Designed for blind and partially sighted people, Speechlabels are scanned by your smartphone allowing you to quickly and clearly identify everyday items.
Exclusively available from RNIB in the UK, these simple NFC and QR code labels are fully accessible with the free Speechlabel app for iOS and Android and allow you to label items easily using your own voice.
There are two types of Speechlabel – NFC labels and QR code labels – both of which can be scanned by most smartphones with the free app (details of compatible Android and Apple devices are listed in the product specifications).
NFC stickers are scanned by tapping your phone against them – no camera aiming needed – allowing you to quickly and clearly identify everyday items.
Speechlabel's QR code stickers use Aztec code, which is especially designed for fast and reliable scanning and a camera only needs to capture about 10 per cent of the code for it to work, making them perfect for quick, accurate scans. This makes them especially useful for blind and partially sighted users, since you don’t need to perfectly align the sticker with the camera.
It's easy to record and play back your audio label using the accessible Speechlabel app – you can describe an item in brief ('ground cinnamon', 'Beatles, Help', or 'white shirt with fox pattern') or add extra description, such as nutritional information, track listing, or care instructions, for example.
To use, simply download the free Speechlabel app on your phone and tap the phone to an NFC button or sticker to scan it, or use the smartphone camera to scan a QR code sticker. After scanning, you can record a voice message or type a short description. The next time you scan the same sticker, the app will play back or display your saved information. It’s quick, easy, and designed to be fully accessible. You can also choose to save your audio labels in the cloud and share them with other people.
You can choose from four types of Speechlabel, or buy an assorted pack that includes all the different labels to find the ones that work best for you.
The starter pack of assorted labels includes five NFC stickers, five NFC laundry buttons, 25 thin QR code stickers for disposable items (such as groceries and medication packaging), and five thick QR code stickers for items you keep (DVDs, storage boxes, food containers).
The Thin QR code labels are made for groceries, but you can also stick these small, easy-scan QR stickers on anything that doesn’t need a very long-term label. Also available in bulk packs of 100, these simple, fast, and flexible stickers are water-resistant, and measure 18 × 22.5mm, so they fit almost anywhere without getting in the way.
The Thick QR code labels are 0.9mm deep, have a durable, glossy finish, and are resistant to wear, moisture, and fading. They stay put and scan effortlessly, even after years of use. Designed for long-term organization, they measure 28 × 35mm, and have a strong adhesive to keep them in place. Also available in packs of 25.
The NFC Touch Stickers are moisture-resistant, 30mm wide, and a little thicker than a sheet of paper, so they fit almost anywhere without getting in the way, while you can still feel them for easy locating. Strong and long-lasting, they’re great for simple, discreet, and reliable labelling of things you use often, like containers, CDs, or gadgets. Please note, NFC stickers don’t work on metal surfaces, although most will continue to work in the freezer (apply to a dry surface, before putting the container in the freezer). Also available in packs of 25.
The NFC laundry buttons are soft, flexible, and washable, so they stay in place even through regular wear and washing buttons (machine-wash safe and dryer-friendly up to 60°C / 140°F). Durable, discreet, and fully accessible, these 20mm diameter buttons are ideal for organizing your wardrobe or helping someone identify clothing independently. Also available in packs of 25.
The Speechlabel app can also scan barcodes which you can add your own audio labels to.
