Meet Muhammad – An Independent Journey from Pakistan to the U.S.

How technology and community support are assisting Muhammad navigate the world as a Master’s student

For Muhammad, a Master’s student of International Relations from Pakistan, academic excellence has always been the priority. With a 3.8 CGPA from his undergraduate studies, Muhammad recently achieved something few others have: he was the only student with a disability selected from Pakistan for a prestigious exchange program at Grand Valley State University in the United States.

While his time in the U.S. resulted in a perfect 4.0 GPA, it also provided him with a firsthand look at the profound differences in global accessibility. In the U.S., Muhammad experienced a world designed with him in mind: buses that knelt to meet the sidewalk, tactile maps, and dedicated accessibility departments. In Pakistan, while he finds the people to be incredibly supportive, the infrastructure lags behind, often requiring him to rely on human scribes for exams rather than the assistive technology he used abroad.

A Digital Bridge to Independence

Regardless of which country he is in, Muhammad has found a constant companion in Be My Eyes. Having discovered the app in 2020 through a Facebook community, he initially used it to connect with sighted volunteers who helped him read documents and navigate unfamiliar spaces.

As an early adopter of Be My AI, Muhammad has integrated the tool into his daily life in ways that go far beyond simple navigation. A passionate photographer, he uses the AI to analyze his shots of nature. Instead of just a basic description, the AI helps him assess his photography, offering tips on how to adjust his framing or lighting to make the photos look professional.

“The AI serves as a companion,” Muhammad explains. He notes that the AI provides a unique level of comfort; he can ask dozens of questions about his surroundings or his work without the hesitancy he might feel when asking a sighted person for repeated help.

To Muhammad, Be My Eyes is more than just an app; it is a tool for empowerment. By connecting him with a global community of volunteers and cutting-edge AI, it has given him the freedom to pursue his dreams and share his voice with the world, all on his own terms.

Do you have a creative Be My Eyes story?

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