This is a download from BBC Learning English.

To find out more, visit our website.

Hello, this is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English, I'm Neil.

And I'm Georgina.

What do Homer, Ray Charles and Jorge Borges all have in common, Georgina?

Mmm, so that's the ancient Greek poet Homer,

American singer Ray Charles and Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges.

I can't see much in common there, Neil.

Well, the answer is that they were all blind.

Ah, but that obviously didn't hold them back.

I mean, there were some of the greatest artists ever.

Right, but I wonder how easy they would find it living and working in the modern world.

Blind people can use a guide dog or a white cane to help them move around.

Yes, but a white cane is hardly advanced technology.

Recently, smartphone apps have been invented,

which dramatically improve the lives of blind people around the world.

In this programme on blindness in the digital age,

we'll be looking at some of these inventions,

known collectively as assistive technology.

That's any software or equipment that helps people work

around their disabilities or challenges.

But first, it's time for my quiz question, Georgina.

...