The $20 Accessibility Hack Every Blind Person Should Know

Freek van Welsenis, founder of Hable, joins the show to share how a simple idea—helping a blind grandfather use a smartphone—grew into a global company creating affordable assistive technology used in over 60 countries. With a background in engineering and a lifelong connection to disability through his family, Freek brings both technical insight and real-world empathy to everything Hable builds.

In this episode, we dive into Hable's newest innovation: Speechlabel, a labeling system that combines a free app with physical tags to let you identify anything using audio or text. From leftovers in your fridge to clothes in your closet, this tool solves everyday challenges that AI alone can't. We also talk about the Hable One braille keyboard, the company's mission to keep accessibility affordable, and how a small team is making a global impact.

You'll walk away with a clear understanding of how Speechlabel works, why affordability in assistive tech matters, and how small, practical tools can dramatically improve independence. Freek also shares insights into product design, real-world use cases, and what's next for Hable—including tactile solutions that could make everyday environments more accessible.

What You'll Learn

• How Speechlabel lets you identify everyday items using audio notes
• The difference between NFC and QR-style labels—and when to use each
• Why affordability is one of the biggest barriers in assistive tech
• How the Hable One transforms smartphone use with a braille interface
• Real-world use cases for labeling food, clothing, and household items

Guest Links

• Website: https://iamhable.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hableone
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hable
• Facebook: facebook.com/HableOne
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hableone

Read more at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/152/.

NFB National Convention July 3-8 in Austin

This year's National Convention is in Austin, Texas, from July 3-8. Learn more about the 2026 NFB National Convention at https://nfb.org/convention. Call 800-627-7468 to book your room. The main hotel is the JW Marriott. The spillover hotel is the Austin Marriott Downtown. Use the room block code, BL1, to ensure you receive the convention room rate.

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