TalkingTags is a portable device for individuals who are blind or have a severe visual impairment.  A small portable device speaks the contents or description of items or locations that have been "tagged" with special RFID labels.  A simple process associates any message the user records to the RFID tag.  As this tag is brought into proximity of the portable reader, the recorded message is played.  To quickly locate lost or misplaced items, special Beeper-Tags are also controlled by the TalkingTags device to sound their location.  TalkingTags is controlled via an intuitive button interface, or voice command for hands-free operation.