Vision loss is an element of aging, but that is not to say it is out of our control. To what degree we experience changes in eyesight actually has a good deal to do with nutrition and lifestyle. It is really never too soon to begin taking care of your eyes. Starting young and developing good habits can help maintain visual function for the long term. No matter where you’re at in life, thinking about preserving your precious sight should compel action. Here are 5 good habits that can counteract the degenerating aspects of aging on the eyes.
Ripe tomatoes with fresh basil, garlic, and herbs.
Eat right and save sight.
Enjoy a nutrient-rich diet, emphasizing fish high in omega-3, a colorful assortment of whole fruits and veggies, along with plenty of citrus and lots of leafy greens, legumes, olive oil, nuts and grains.
The Mediterranean diet is known to keep the heart and brain in peak condition and to lower the cancer risk. A new study shows it can also significantly lessen the long-term effects of age-related macular degeneration. Read more about the study from American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
Prevent sun damage and injury to your eyes.
The importance of shielding eyes from the damaging rays of the sun cannot be overstated. Be sure your sunglasses block out at least 99% of UV rays. Wear safety goggles or protective glasses when engaged in sports or when working with hazardous and airborne materials. Read our 10 tips on keeping your eyes protected.
Don’t smoke.
Smoking is the most common factor in developing macular degeneration. It also contributes to cataracts and damage to the optic nerve. Smoking causes vasoconstriction, which restricts the blood supply to the eyes.
Get your eyes checked annually.
An annual comprehensive eye exam is essential at every age. It will help keep your eyes healthy and detect any early changes or the onset of disease. Early detection remains the most important factor in preventing loss of sight.
Give your eyes a break.
The computer screens our eyes spend so much time trained on, can and will cause blurry vision, dry eyes, difficulty focusing and general strain to the eye, neck and back. Get into the habit of giving your eyes a rest every 20 minutes by looking away for at least 20 seconds and refocusing into the distance.
And, yes, now is the perfect time to take that break. Go ahead…look away.
Post first published Oct 07, 2018 and updated Mar 17, 2023.
As spring kicks off, let’s be mindful about taking steps to prevent accidental injury to eyes. Accidents happen in an instant, but 90% can be avoided with the proper protective eyewear. It may also surprise you to learn that nearly half of eye injuries occur at home and are caused by household repairs, yard work, cleaning and cooking. Pay attention and don’t take risks. Protect yourself and those around you.Enhance your awareness and avoid a regrettable situation.If an injury occurs, get medical attention immediately.
People with visual impairments are at risk in particular,because they may be unable to see objects coming at them.For this reason, the use of personal protective eyewear is highly recommended, during all activity indoors and out, to avoid accidental damage to an eye. Choose polycarbonate lenses for all glasses, they are shatterproof and offer 100% UV protection from the sun.
Wear protective glasses or goggles when using chemicals, cleaners, aerosols and sprays.
Everyday household items like Knives, forks, scissors, paper clips and wire hangers can accidentally cause injury. Handle with care.
When cooking food that splatters always wear protective eyewear and use a grease shield.
Attend to hazards that can cause falls. Secure rugs and eliminate clutter. Improve contrast and lighting. Be aware of sharp edges. More about this on the OE Patients Podcast Episode 2: Don’t Take the Fall, Prevent it
Image shows kids wearing protective sports glasses and helmets
Outdoors
Take precautions when outdoors on windy days by wearing wraparound sunglasses to shield your eyes from flying debris, dust and particles.
Protect eyes while gardening, mowing the lawn or using a leaf blower.
Do not give children sharp objects, or toys with projectiles or toy guns that fire.
Choose ASTM approved protective eyewear, not sunglasses, for sports, particularly sports with balls, bats, racquets, pucks or sticks.
Even opening champagne bottles can be hazardous to eyes and should be handled with caution. Point the bottle away from your face, and the faces of others. Do not shake the bottle and cover the cork with a towel so it doesn’t fly.
Stay away from do-it-yourself pyrotechnics — leave the fireworks to the professionals. Not even sparklers are a good idea, unless wearing protective goggles. The nation’s ophthalmologists issue advisories for July 4th in anticipation of increased fireworks related injury, especially to bystanders and children.
Post first published Jun 30, 2022 and updated Mar 16, 2023.
Amazon’s $3.9 billion acquisition of One Medical was completed February 23, 2023 and within days the email invitations were sent to Amazon customers. Join the new monster healthcare venture, and get what they’re calling, “Frustration-free primary care,” at an introductory rate of $144 for a year, reduced from $199. This is, they say, “primary care for your body and mind.” Membership benefits are touted as 24/7 virtual care via messaging or video, online appointment booking, on demand video chat, in app prescription requests and renewals. Apparently they also accept most health insurance and can “help” with common illnesses, chronic diseases and mental health concerns. Is this your “doctor’s office re-imagined?”
Amazon One Medical app
Amazon’s Echo speaker and voice assistant Alexa are a legendary duo. Introduced in 2014, the pair now boasts 100,000 skills, a mind-boggling number. In the year 2020 alone, there were 53.6 million Echo devices sold. Lately it appears Alexa is positioned to take on healthcare, which makes a lot of sense.
The same reason Alexa’s popularity has accelerated in home settings is why it can integrate and enhance communication in healthcare settings. Liron Torres, global leader of Alexa Smart Properties, told Fierce Healthcare, “We believe that ambient computing can dramatically change and improve the way our customers use and interact with technology.” She went on to say that voice technology is “natural, intuitive, and accessible.” The idea is to simplify the way hospitals and assisted living facilities integrate and manage Alexa-enabled devices to elevate care.
Echo Alexa Speaker
Cedars-Sinai and Boston Children’s, among other hospitals and senior living communities, including Atria and Eskaton, are the first to adopt Amazon’s smart service, which enables patients to easily connect with family and communicate with care team members, by way of voice interaction with Alexa. They can also ask Alexa to play a game, turn on music, get the news, or turn on the TV. “Voice is intuitive for patients, regardless of age or tech-savviness,” said Peachy Hain, executive director of Medical and Surgical Services at Cedars-Sinai.
While it’s all just in the early stages, you can expect to encounter more and more skills being implemented that make healthcare easier to deal with. Some apps are proprietary to healthcare organizations, and others are just for the asking. Alexa has skills that help diagnose illness, manage medications, manage diabetes, manage blood pressure, get first aid advice from the Mayo Clinic, get healthy living tips from the Cleveland Clinic, and even watch over aging loved ones with Alexa Together.
In other healthcare ventures Amazon bought PillPack in 2018 and launched Amazon Pharmacy in 2020. They also partnered with JP Morgan Chase and Berkshire Hathaway to look at lowering healthcare costs and teamed with the National Institutes of Health to develop technology that connects biomedical researchers worldwide. No doubt, there’s more to come.
Post first published Jun 30, 2022 and updated Mar 9, 2023.
There have been many changes to Aira services, and we must admit, it’s all a bit hard to follow. The subscription prices have increased significantly for new subscribers in 2023, but it’s not clearly published, so best to call Aira to clarify. There is also apparently a new app, called Aira Explore, which is currently available on Google Play, but not yet on the App Store. The old app (now called Legacy) will not be updating and users will need to install the new version at some point. Call Aira customer service: 800-835-1934.
Living with vision loss has a way of compelling us to become better problem solvers. We learn to develop compensatory strategies for getting things done on a daily basis. And we all know there are moments when the technology, the magnifiers and the light, just won’t suffice, what we could really use is another pair of eyes. This is when you would consider calling upon a family member, a colleague, or a friend, but you’d prefer not to disturb anyone.
The visual interpreting service, Aira (pronounced I-ra) is a possible solution to that problem, and many more. The name is acronym for Ai Remote Assistance the service connects people with live, specially trained agents for help reading, navigating, identifying or describing. The connection icon a video call made on a smartphone app, currently available in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. You’re not bothering them, they want you to call, it’s what they do. They offer another pair of eyes, exactly when you need them.
Home screen of Aira app.
The App
Access to Aira’s free services requires an app. Create an account and sign in as a Guest. The app will tell you what Aira Access Locations are in your vicinity. In Access Locations, which include Starbucks, Target, Bank of America, Walgreens, AT&T, 50+ airports and transit systems, like all of Boston’s MBTA railroad, subway and bus stops. Recently Aira announced the entire state of Connecticut the service is paid for by the location and you enjoy guest access for free. If you already have an Aira account, you’re good to go, just make sure you have the latest version of the app.
Monthly Subscription
Upgrade to a monthly plan with a call to customer service. You may find great value in a plan that enables you to take a guided stroll through a museum. Rediscover your neighborhood restaurants and shops, or get help navigating an airport that is not yet a free access location. The possibilities are endless.
You may find great value in a plan that enables you to take a guided stroll through a museum, rediscover your neighborhood restaurants and shops, or get help navigating an airport that is not yet a free access location. The possibilities are endless.
Tell Aira Where You Want Guest Access
To sponsor more free service and expand inclusivity, Aira needs to build their Guest Access Network. The most significant impact comes from businesses with many locations. If you know of a an organization with interest in making Aira’s services available to their customers, send that information to: [email protected].
As navigation apps go, for people with visual impairments, Soundscape was one of the few worth discussion. It enhanced awareness of our surroundings, like walking with a friend who describes the environment. So it is disappointing to share the news that Microsoft has discontinued its development. No longer available on the App Store or on Google Play, users with the app currently downloaded to a device will have it until the end of June 2023, at which time it will stop functioning.
The announcement from Microsoft says, in part, “The Soundscape code is now available as open-source software on GitHub at https://github.com/microsoft/soundscape, so that anyone can continue to build on, and find new ways to leverage, this novel feature set for the growing navigation opportunities in today’s world. As Microsoft Research continues to expand into new accessibility innovation areas, we hope the open-source software release of the Soundscape code supports the community in further developing confidence and utility of spatial audio navigation experiences.”
We, too, hope the code helps in the development of new applications and that Microsoft Research will continue to expand into new accessibility innovation.
Microsoft Soundscape 2018: A Review Of What It Can Do
Microsoft is clearly on a mission to advance accessibility for people with vision loss, and that is a very good thing. The past six months have seen the launch of two significant new apps to iPhone users, both intent to give us the information we are unable to discern visually.
The first app, Seeing AI, has very quickly become a crowd favorite. It’s ability to instantly read short text (signs, addresses, labels, and packaging) is reason enough to use it. It also reads documents, product barcodes, currency, color, handwriting and more.
The newest app in this collection is ‘Soundscape,’ a navigation tool, described as a “map delivered in 3D sound.”Not to be confused with the GPS app you’ve been waiting for, there is no turn by turn directions, no specific guidance from point A to point B. And, as we experience with all GPS, there is the issue of accuracy. Putting that aside, this app still has much to offer.
Soundscape provides an enhanced awareness of what’s around you. It’s kind of like walking along with a friend who is pointing out stores, restaurants, structures, and intersections. The information comes in 3D stereo sound, information about what is on your left comes to you from the left, what’s on the right comes from the right, and what’s in front comes from the center. The audio is impressive.
With progressing central vision loss, I have not been privy to the specifics of my surroundings for a while. There is something wondrous about knowing what’s around me in any given spot.You might think you would get used to the not knowing, but the curiosity never really subsides. Soundscape is a bit of a thirst quencher in this way.
Like all technology, you need to work with this and find out what it can do. At first, I must admit to being frustrated by the free-floating information about what’s “around” without any clues for getting to it. Then I started to appreciate the narrative as I learned about places near and new to me. To get this type of information before, I would ask someone I’d be walking with to “Please tell me everything that’s on this street.” The Soundscape app basically does that, just not exactly.You must be aware and accepting, that there is a margin for error.
The greatest benefit I derived from this app is the telling of street names, numbers, and intersections. Before Soundscape, my best method for figuring out what street I was on was to ask Siri, “Where am I?” That approach also not always accurate. Using ‘My Location’ lets me know what street I’m on and what intersection is coming up. I love that!
Microsoft’s Soundscape app main screen.
The Soundscape app has a cleanly designed interface with the following options:
Menu
Select, or search and save, reference points.
Manage Call Outs by selecting the information you want to be called out automatically like Places and Landmarks, Intersections, Destination Distance, Bluetooth Beacons Indoors and Location Updates. Here you will also find Help and Tutorials and Settings.
Set a Beacon
Select a specific location and audio beacon will indicate when you are facing the direction of your selected location, it will not set a path or take you there.
Call Outs On/Off
My Location
Gives you current location, direction facing, nearby roads and points of interest.
Around Me
Tells you about one thing in each direction: ahead, to right, behind you, and to the left.
Ahead of Me
Helps you discover what’s coming up ahead.
Holding the phone flat in your hand with the top facing the direction you are heading will enable it to function like a compass.
Soundscape and Seeing AI apps eat up battery power, so it is well advised to always carry a backup.
It’s very safe to say this is just the beginning for Soundscape and Seeing AI. Microsoft will surely continue to develop and improve these technologies. Try this in your city.You’ll help the progress by sending feedback to [email protected].
And don’t forget, you can always call the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for help at 800-936-5900.
Please note that this article was not paid for, affiliated with, or endorsed by any third-party companies. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author’s.
This post was originally published March 16th, 2018 and updated on February 20, 2023
The spectrum of vision runs on a scale from normal sight to low vision to blindness. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Low vision is vision loss that can’t be corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery. Low vision can include blind spots, poor night vision, and blurry sight. The most common causes are age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetes.” They further estimated the prevalence of low vision at “one in six adults over age 45” and “one in four adults over age 75.” The term “low vision” is not well known by the general population and is mostly utilized in clinical settings.
The fact that vision loss is uncorrectable does not mean there is nothing we can do to mitigate the effects. To inspire that effort, and to recognize Low Vision Awareness Month, here is a collection of OE’s best content on the subject. It’s all about Making Adjustments.
Nate Berkus fixing up a blue pillow on a couch in a living room.
Nates Low Vision Makeover
Nate Berkus is looking at home design through the prism of low vision and we are delighted to receive his expert advice. He knows color contrast and he knows lighting. He knows how progressive vision loss can make it difficult to see the details in your own living space. He understands this because his grandmother had macular degeneration. Read Now
Savvy senior woman happily using a smartphone.
Your Smartphone is a Comprehensive Low Vision Device
Living with vision loss, like living in a pandemic, requires us to accept change and embrace technology. Digital access is no longer an option, it is a necessity. Every patient experiencing changes in vision should know there is a multitude of accessibility options, available in their smartphones (and tablets), designed to help compensate for low vision. Read Now
Man wearing Eyedaptic glasses playing scrabble with granddaughter.
What’s Up With Smart Glasses?
Smart glasses are evolving, but still not quite the ubiquitous, mainstream, vision-enhancing devices we were expecting. Low vision users should evaluate the options carefully, for specific tasks or purposes, and always try before you buy. Read Now
Hands reaching into well organized kitchen drawer.
10 Kitchen Tips For Low Vision Cooks
Whether you feel cooking is a joy or a means to a meal, low vision necessitates some adjusting in the kitchen. Here are some tips to consider as you keep yourself and your loved ones nourished. Read Now
OE Patients Podcast in white text with magenta and white OE Patients logo.
Episode 4: Must Know Info About Adjusting to Low Vision
Too many patients with low vision believe “nothing can be done” to improve their quality of life. In this episode, Dorrie Rush and Jaydan Mitchell are busting that myth with a review of just the basics everyone needs to know about living better with vision loss. Listen Now
Happy senior couple watching on a mobile smartphone and laughing together.
Living Better with Low Vision
A recent statement by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) was eye-opening, to say the least. They noted the number of older Americans with low vision will likely double in the coming years, and stated, “the tragedy isn’t that people have lost vision, it’s that most believe nothing can be done to improve their quality of life.” The ill-informed belief that “nothing can be done” is a false narrative that we are working to correct. Read Now.
Colorful clothing organized in a closet.
Low Vision Awareness: Time to Get Organized
Getting organized is key to living successfully with low vision. It may not be as easy to look for things as it once was. A neat and tidy environment will compensate in substantial ways. Think about how nice it is to open a drawer and find exactly what you’re looking for because it is right where you left it. With low vision often it is easier to put our hands on something before our eyes see that it’s there. Read Now
Collections of golden boxes on dark background.
The Hottest Low Vision Gifts
We’ve got the ultimate low vision gift guide. The curated selection you’ll be delighted to give or get, includes a wide range of price points. Some gifts don’t cost a thing, because the gift of empowerment is priceless! Read Now
This collection was previously published Feb 16, 2021 and updated Feb 14, 2023.
In this post we aim to share reporting from the web that aligns with the purpose and spirit of OE, keeping our readers inspired and informed to live well with vision loss.
ADJUSTING
Dan uses a probing cane to explore the terrain
The Inspiring Story of Blind Skater Dan Mancina
Dan uses his experience to motivate others to follow their dreams despite the obstacles and challenges. He started a fundraising campaign and both the land to build the world’s first accessible skatepark, designed for people with vision impairments. Read Now on Surfer Today.
Josh Miele photographed at home
A Year After Life-Changing Award, Berkeley Inventor For the Blind is Writing a Memoir
Josh Miele was awarded a prestigious MacArthur Foundation fellowship, also known as the Genius Award. He was named Distinguished Research Fellow in Disability, Accessibility and Design at the University of California at Berkeley, his Alma mater for both undergrad and PhD. He has continued his work for Amazon, designing a more inclusive experience online. He’s starting a nonprofit to advocate for more accessible software, and he’s working on a memoir with former NY Times Metro Editor, Wendell Jamieson. In the midst of all this attention and activity, Josh says he’s still as “disorganized and procrastinative” as ever, which should give us all hope. Read Now on Berkeley Side.
Photo of family creating memories on world tour
Canadian Family Taking World Tour Before Children Lose Vision
When 3 of their 4 children were diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, Edith Lemay and Sebastien Pelletier began planning a global tour, for their family, to help the children build visual memories, resilience and a sense of comfort in the world. The parents say the trip has opened their eyes in so many ways. Read Now on CNN.
Theresa climbing
Eyes in the back of my head! Meet the blind woman fearlessly scaling walls as high as London’s 180m Gherkin
This woman knows how to push the limits of vision loss. “Theresa Osborne-Bell, 41, cannot see her feet when she stands up, yet scuttles up sheer climbing walls with the agility and certainty of a squirrel – loving every minute of the freedom the sport gives her.” Read Now in Yahoo News.
Molly Burke wearing white dress with puff sleeves and full skirt
Meet Molly Burke, the social media star busting myths about blindness
“Molly Burke loves fashion, tattoos and makeup, so people sometimes don’t believe she’s blind. But Burke believes that what people wear is part of self-care and self-expression and that everyone should be able to enjoy fashion.” She is the role model she never had and is working to change the way society views blindness. Read Now on NBC.
TECH
Graphic image of character in wheelchair crossing an iPhone ramp
How to Make the Most of Your iPhone’s Accessibility Features
A wonderful introductory guide to Apple’s Accessibility where you can adjust an array of settings to improve the user experience in terms of vision, hearing, and touch. You don’t have to have a disability; it’s available and good for everyone. Read Now on Vox.
Star birth image captured by James Webb telescope
Alt text helps the visually impaired experience the James Webb Telescope images.
A team of scientists, writers and educators worked together to add vivid descriptions to the spectacular images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope to help people with vision loss appreciate the detail. Read Now on NPR.
Siri icon with text: New in IOS 16
Everything New with Siri and Dictation in iOS 16
With this software update, Siri will insert emojis, hang up calls, announce notifications, and even pause a little longer while you finish dictating a message. Dictation now adds automatic punctuation; the microphone icon is moved into the Messages text box. And there’s more. Read Now on MacRumors.
Characters roaming around a cyber amusement park Maze in which some sections are blocked by obstacles Image credit:The Verge
Accessibility Week – The Verge
We know accessibility can both delight and disappoint us. The Verge turned the spotlight on both sides of this coin with a week filled with articles to explore the ups and downs. The subtext: “Technology promises a universally accessible world — and only sometimes manages to deliver,” introduces a wealth of articles on making the most of the accessibility features in iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows. There is an article on the magical possibilities in iPad, a look at the failure of ride-sharing for people with disabilities and more. Read Now on the Verge.
HEALTH
Woman removes headphones from child Image credit: Getty
5 Tips for Preventing Hearing Loss Caused by Headphones
Wearing headphones, earphones, earbuds or AirPods has become the most common accessory on adults and on children as well. Unhealthy volume levels will cause permanent damage. The buds that go into your ear and seal out noise are the worst offenders. It’s all about awareness and prevention. Read Now on ZD Net.
A man wearing helmet, standing with bike
Exploring Fitness for People Who are Visually Impaired
Many excellent and encouraging ideas for staying active and healthy from the Wisconsin Council of the Bind and Visually Impaired which includes advice for those who prefer to walk, run, bike, swim or work out at home, with a trainer or in a gym. Read Now on wcblind.org.
VOICES
A selfie of Paul with Sydney harbor in the background
How I Fought for My Career After Becoming Legally Blind
A beautifully inspiring first person account of one man’s step-by step effort to recover his confidence and his career. He enlightens and educates his employer and colleagues in the process. Read Now on SBS News, Australia.
Heather hugs her two young daughters
My Daughter’s Visual Impairment Taught Me to See Past My Fear of the Unknown
The title of Heather’s story speaks for itself. Upon learning of her baby daughter’s visual impairment, she felt overwhelming grief and distress. As she began to educate on vision loss, the most comforting lesson was “about others who are visually impaired but continue to lead full lives.” She also gained “a beautiful new perspective.” Read Now on CBC News.
OE Editor, Dorrie Rush looks right toward camera and smiles
2023 Letter from the Editor
It’s 2023, happy new year. The number boggles my mind, for so many reasons. Since 2020, it seems we have been living in an altered universe. Although the hope was life would eventually return to normal post-pandemic, deep down we knew things might never be the same. A stark reminder that you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. The lost sense of normalcy and need to accept and adjust felt oddly familiar to life with vision loss
As age 65 approaches, I am compelled to look back, 33 years, to the start of a life changed by progressive vision loss. Having known only 20/20 vision to that point, it was hard to understand what was to come. The questions far outweighed the answers. I feared total blindness as I was simultaneously encouraged to believe there would be a cure in the next 10 to 15 years. Three decades later, neither cure nor blindness has become a reality.
Although my vision qualified as “legal blindness” 20 years ago, the terminology is misleading. My visual acuity has not been recorded with numbers for a very long time; instead my eyesight is reduced to absurd classifications such as: counting fingers and waving hands. This deceptive language insults my intelligence and my eyesight. At the very same eye exam, when I say I cannot read the forms they are handing me on a clipboard, they say, Oh, you don’t look visually impaired.” I reply, “Yes, I do, this is what visually impaired looks like.”
The fact is, I am still able to type this article into a computer and see the words magnified on screen. I have never stopped working or felt the need to declare myself disabled. The fears I felt early on did not come to fruition. My life was changed, but not interrupted or devastated. It would be more accurate to say, it has given me purpose. By sharing my experience, I hope to convey a better understanding for everyone touched directly, or indirectly, by vision loss.
Communication on this topic is anything but clear. The OE post titled, Surprises Contained in the White Cane, brought up a pervasive ignorance about the cane. We heard from too many visually impaired cane users being called out, in public, for faking blindness. Some have been accused of faking sightedness because they do not use a cane. I tell someone I have not seen in several years about my recent adoption of the white cane; they ask, “Can you see anything? Do you have light perception?”
Skewed perceptions perpetuate stigma. As I said in the white cane article, “It’s a conundrum, of poor public awareness caused by inaccurate terminology, and a correction is long overdue. Vision loss is a spectrum, and that deserves a better understanding.” Let’s not make it any more difficult than it has to be.
It’s time to take a look back and call out our most popular posts for the year. Review our all-time favorites and pick up some new perspectives for adjusting with vision loss.
Celebratory golden balloons and confetti.
OE Patients Anniversary Favorites
Celebrate OE Patients 5th Anniversary with this special collection of our top 5 hits in each category: Adjusting, Accessible Tech, Health, and Voices. Our pages are filled with practical tips and encouraging advice that empower patients to live better with vision loss and believe there is much that can be done to improve quality of life, even when medical treatments do not exist. Read Now
Visually impaired person with white cane crossing city street
Surprises Contained in the White Cane
Accepting the white cane is a highly personal, and often challenging process. But when you do, you may quickly discover just what you were missing. Read Now
Star speckled Dwarf Galaxy from James Webb Telescope, courtesy NASA and STScI
Taking Accessibility to the Stars
A team of scientists, writers and educators worked together to add vivid descriptions to the images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope to help people with vision loss decipher the details. Read Now
Image shows woman in driver’s seat, with both hands on steering wheel.
Re-Visioning
She gave up driving, but continued shifting gears. This is Carol Yaple’s beautifully articulate and inspiring story of adjusting to life with vision loss. Read Now
iPhone showing iOS 16 logo
Everyday iPhone Accessibility Tips & Tricks
There are universal features that significantly improve accessibility for everyone, visually impaired or not. We’ll keep you posted on this page about delightful insights and updates on features like AirDrop, ApplePay, Siri and Dictation. Read Now
Hands reaching into organized kitchen drawers.
10 Kitchen Tips for Low Vision Cooks
If you love to cook or just like to eat, these kitchen tips will come in handy. Like all other adjusting for low visions, we highly recommend organization and preparation. Read Now
Smiling mature woman stretching after workoutsession in the evening
Accessible Workouts for Visually Impaired People
Do it your way, there are plenty of options. Included in our first installment of Low Vision Workouts, are feel-good exercises, accessible equipment, eyes-free audio guides, and wonderful tips on the topic from our friends at Hadley. Read Now
Edythe Heyman and Dorrie Rush at Lighthouse Guild in 2015
At 90, Edythe Gets Her iPad
A life-long learner, Edythe was determined to find a way to continue reading her morning newspaper. The solution she chose was an iPad and she learned to use it with Voice Over. Read Now
Business man helping a colleague on a computer
Is Vision Rehab the Best Kept Secret
When ophthalmic patients hear the doctor say, “Nothing can be done,” it means there is no medical treatment or correction. This is an excellent time to discuss vision rehab services, but it often goes unmentioned. Read Now
Everyone’s talking about brain health, as well as they should. We are coming through a long period of seemingly unending and unprecedented stressful events. Vision loss and aging can also add to the drag on our cognition. But that doesn’t mean we have to give in to these adverse effects. In fact, taking steps to keep the brain healthy, delivers immediate positive results to our sense of well-being. Continued learning is the key to good mental acuity. It doesn’t require a PhD; just make time in every day to learn something new or practice what you’ve learned. Here are some viable paths to a sharper brain. Do it your way!
Mature woman taking online course
Learn with Hadley
HadleyHelps.org is number one on this list because, for people with vision loss, there is simply no better place to learn. The mini courses are all online and they’re also free of charge. Log on and they ask, “What would you like to learn today?” Choose from a great depth of choice in each category including: Daily Living, Adjusting to Vision Loss, Technology, Working, Recreation, and Braille. Meet Hadley 2.0 Your Personal Tutor
Mindful couple doing post-workout meditation at home
Yoga and Audio Described Exercise
There is a direct connection between fitness and brain health. Shaking up your regular routine, or learning some new moves, is always good for mind and body. We’re loving these audio-described fitness and Accessible Workouts.
Man with headphones listening to audio magazine
Join Choice Magazine Listening
This, the original audio magazine, will definitely light up your brain. Created for people with vision loss, the quarterly curated collection is a representation of high quality writing from the best magazine publications. So much to learn and enjoy, you’ll look forward to every release. Subscribe through NLS. New for Fall from CML the Talking Magazine
Young woman with headphones, deeply focused in audiobook
Do Deep Reading
Get immersed in an epic story, fiction or nonfiction, read with your eyes or your ears. Listening to an audiobook is every bit as satisfying as a visual read. They are also equally good for brain health and are easy to read while on the move. Get Back the Joy and Enjoy a Great Audiobook
Man with headphones relaxes with music
Appreciate Music
Research shows music has the ability to enhance brain health, as well as mental and physical well-being. Learning a new tune on a musical instrument, a new song to sing on repeat, or even enjoying music in the background, of your day, is good for the brain. An AARP study shows, both casual and focused listeners report less depression and anxiety. Those attending live musical events and concerts may derive even higher benefits. Practicing an instrument, or singing in a choir, also is connected to higher rates of happiness and cognitive function. It is never too late to boost your daily dose of music and reap the healthy results.
One of the dreaded benchmarks for a person with progressive vision loss, is the inability to drive. It represents an enormous reduction in freedom and independence. Not being able to get into your own car and go where you want, when you want, is, quite literally, immobilizing. When a fully autonomous vehicle appeared on the horizon, it seemed to be the perfect compensation. This was no pipe dream, technology most certainly, we believed, could give us back the ability to drive. But it has not materialized, and now we are left to wonder, when? Is this vehicle a complete over-promise? Will technology ever actually rise above the level of assisted driving?
To classify as driverless or totally autonomous, a car must be capable of sensing its environment and moving safely with little or no human input. One of the predicted benefits of this super-smart technology is the minimization of traffic collisions, which was also expected to significantly improve safety and reduce the cost of insurance. But the data show human drivers are way better than driverless vehicles. Bloomberg BusinessWeek’s report on the subject (October 2022) is definitively titled, “Even After $100 Billion Self-Driving Cars are Going Nowhere.” Decades in development, they are still not able to safely negotiate left unprotected turns, weather conditions, animals, construction or crossing guards.
We can hold on to the belief that one day our cars might drive themselves, but it’s time to get real about the likelihood. It’s true there are cars and trucks out on the open road, right now, testing the software, but they’ve been out there for awhile and, for sure, not yet ready for mainstream consumption.
Google’s autonomous automobile project began in 2009 and was spun off in 2016 as Waymo (short for a New Way Forward in Mobility). To date the company has logged 10 million miles on roads and 20 billion on simulators. In the Phoenix area, they operate the only self-driving taxi service to the public, that does not have backup safety drivers in the vehicle. They believe autonomously driven vehicles could also help people who can’t drive—whether elderly, blind, or disabled—to get around and do the things they love, and we are inclined to agree.
Image shows person driving Tesla on Autopilot.
Tesla’s Autopilot has been commercially available since 2015 and is widely known for its consistent improvements in performance and precision. However, the fully autonomous Tesla has never been delivered. Tesla’s operating instructions clearly stipulate that drivers keep hands on the steering wheel at all times, ready to take control. As good as the technology may be, there have been too many deadly crashes attributed to an error in the software’s response. Elon Musk Tweeted a message, in October 2022, siting ‘issues’ with the latest version of FSD, then noted, ‘this is to be expected.’
There is no shortage of work being done in this area. Fleets of self-driving cars are testing technology for Ford, General Motors, Mercedes, Jaguar, Volkswagen, BMW, Kia and Hyundai, to name just a few. Apple began developing driverless technology in 2014 and today operates the third largest fleet of test vehicles in California, behind GM and Waymo. Uber, a company that once staked its business model on self-driving cars, sold its driverless car subsidiary to Aurora Technologies, while Lyft continues to develop the sector.
Many of these companies have projected a year in which they expect to have full self-driving cars on the road, but that we’ve learned must be taken with a grain of salt. And even when they do get some driverless cars on the road, will they be accessible to the sightless?
This post was originally published October 26, 2021 and updated December 12, 2022
Scam calls, emails and text messages have significantly increased. They attempt to defraud you by tricking you into revealing personal, credit or financial information. So prevalent they have spawned an industry of theft known as phishing by email, smishing by text, and vishing by voice call. Federal Trade Commission data released in 2022 shows that consumers reported losing more than $5.8 billion to fraud in 2021, a whopping increase of more than 70% over the previous year. Of the 2.8 million fraud reports received by the FTC, imposter scams were the most commonly reported, followed by online shopping scams; fake prizes, fake sweepstakes and fake lotteries, and scams involving phony internet services or nonexistent business or job opportunities.
The scams are coming at you on a daily basis, designed to rob your money or steal your identity. They often target older adults with bogus threats related to debts owed or a family member in trouble. When fraud is directed at you personally, it is frightening and very dangerous to your financial accounts. To avoid falling prey, be aware, and be vigilant; although the scenarios presented in scams are fake, the potential for losing thousands of dollars is quite real.
Do Not Engage
Don’t Answer. The absolute best and most effective advice for avoiding phone scams is…do not answer unfamiliar calls, emails or texts. If you answer a contact and realize it could be a scam — disconnect immediately and do not answer when they attempt to contact you again.
Set Call ID. If vision loss prevents you from seeing incoming phone numbers, consider setting your phone to announce the incoming call, or assign a special ringtone to your favorite callers. Contact your carrier to find out if they offer options for blocking calls identified as spam.
Don’t Give Information. Beware of any call or message asking for your personal information including social security number, Medicare ID, date of birth, username, password, mother’s maiden name or credit card info. Government agencies and legitimate businesses do not ask for personal information by phone. Email or text message, if someone does, it is most likely fraud. Confirm the request independently with a call to the company or agency’s customer service line.
Do Not Send Money. Don’t be pressured to send money urgently. Beware of requests for payments by wire transfer, preloaded debit or gift cards, Google Pay, and Bitcoin. Unusual payment methods are almost certainly indicative of a scam
Don’t Be Fooled by phone numbers or email addresses that appear to be legitimate; both can be easily faked by scammers.
Senior man with serious expression talking on phone.
Be Aware Of These Scams
Social Security Scams will try to convince you that someone is fraudulently using your SS# or there is a judgment against you which may lead to your arrest. Never respond to calls or messages of this nature.
Medicare Scams will claim new Medicare cards are being issued or that you are eligible for a free medical device. They will ask for your Medicare and banking information. This is a fraud. Hang up.
IRS Scams involve a call to demand immediate payment for taxes owed, using a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. Hang up on this scam and do not return calls to voicemail messages. The IRS does not collect taxes by phone or request unusual payment methods. The fraud can be easily confirmed by calling the IRS directly.
Grandparent Scam calls or email involve a con artist posing as a family member, lawyer or law enforcement agent reporting serious trouble that urgently requires a wire transfer of funds for bail money, lawyers fees or other fictitious expenses. Don’t believe it, verify the whereabouts of your loved one independently.
FBI Scams claim you are under investigation and demand a fee to avoid arrest.
Fishing Scams involve calls, texts and email that impersonate Apple, Verizon, American Express and JP Morgan Chase, among many others, to claim your account has been compromised and you need to reset. Do not call the number or click the links provided. Instead, verify by calling the company’s published customer service number.
Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams Call or email to inform you that you have won the big prize, but must first pay taxes or fees before it can be released to you. There is absolutely no winning; you can only lose on this one.
No matter what type of scam, the best advice is the same: Do Not Engage! Don’t respond to suspicious calls. If you pick up a questionable call, hang up immediately. Do not call back. Don’t open suspicious emails and don’t open attachments or click links.
Always Protect Your Private Information
Don’t share your passwords, keep them private and update regularly.
Shred documents that contain personal or financial information before discarding.
When using an ATM, cover or block the keypad when entering your PIN.
Use direct deposit for paychecks, tax refunds, benefit payments, etc.
Review financial statements monthly and correct errors.
Review credit report yearly and correct issues.
This article was originally posted July 13, 2019 and updated December 8, 2022.
