Tag: accessible technology

Vision In The News

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.

January 24, 2023
Has the Self-Driving Car Stalled?

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

December 12, 2022
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 empowers patients to live better with vision loss and to believe there is much that can be done to improve quality of life, even when medical treatments do not exist.

ADJUSTING

Nate Berkus fixing up a blue pillow on a couch in a
living room.

Nate’s Low Vision Makeover

Make your home easier on the eye and safer to get around. Read Now

Dahlov Ipcar “Sunlight in Forest
Glade” (unfinished, 2015)

Artists Work Through Macular Degeneration

AMD need not be a career ending injury for these visual artists. Read Now

Woman practicing eccentric viewing.

8 Ways to Practice Eccentric Viewing

When central vision fades, peripheral vision can compensate. Read Now

Image shows restaurant menus.

Try a New Approach to Reading Restaurant Menus

Don’t let a menu stand between you and your meal. Read Now

Image shows a red passport in hands.

5 Keys to Comfort for Visually Impaired Travelers

Take the anxiety out of travel with a bit of advance preparation. Read Now

ACCESSIBLE TECH

Blue accessibility graphic overlaid on image of
smart phone.

10 Things to Know About iPhone

Here are the features that make it easier to use an iPhone with vision loss. Read Now

Older couple, with laptop, on phone with
accessibility support.

Accessibility Support Phone Lines

Bookmark this page, it’s an inside guide to technical support for people with vision loss. Read Now

Two female coworkers working and looking at
computer monitor.

5 Ways to Make Your Computer at Work Easier to See

An adjustment or two, can keep you working productively. Read Now

Savvy senior woman happily using smartphone.

Your Smartphone is a Comprehensive Low Vision Device

No need to carry external vision aids, it’s all in your hand. Read Now

Smiling woman listens as smartphone reads to her.

The Freedom of Speech

When reading is a challenge, learn to listen. Read Now

HEALTH

Fresh vegetables and fruits spread out on a gray
table.

The Anti-AMD Diet

Studies show, eating right saves sight. Read Now

White lotus flower floating peacefully on a pond.

6 Ways to Keep Your Mind Young

Always popular, this post and topic is more relevant and timely than ever. Read Now

Image: White text saying “Doctor, Am I Going Blind?”
against grainy black background.

Doctor, Am I Going Blind?

It is the resounding question. Read Now

Slices of different citrus fruits.

5 Sight Saving Habits to Start Today

Preserve your precious sight with this daily practice. Read Now

Worker with hard hat falling onto concrete floor.

Don’t Take the Fall, Prevent it

Falling is a dangerous business, reduce your risk by taking this advice. Read Now

VOICES

Image shows Frank Bruni.

The Frankness of Bruni

He woke up one day and found himself navigating the waters of vision loss. Read Now

Olympian Gia Pergolini holding
her gold medal.

Gia Pergolini is a Champion

A visual impairment would not deter this world class athlete. Read Now

Edythe Heyman and Dorrie Rush at Lighthouse Guild
in 2015.

At 90, Edythe Gets Her iPad

This story proves it’s never too late to try new things and get amazing results. Read Now

OE Patients Podcast in white text with magenta and
white OE Patients logo.

Podcast: Must Know Info About Adjusting to Low Vision

There’s a lot to know about living with vision loss, this is a great place to learn from others. Listen Now

Graphic Image shows many hands coming together
in helping gesture.

Asking for Help is a Strength

A panel of experts give their views on this topic. Read Now

August 30, 2022
Re-Visioning
Carol Yaple
CMAJ March 07, 2022 194 (9) E343-E344; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.211492

Photo of Carol Yaple, the author.

The light was changing from amber to red when I turned left onto Main Street. My stepdaughter and I were on our way to a workout on a rainy Saturday morning. From the passenger seat of my trusty Subaru, she screamed — at what, I did not know.

Although we made it through the intersection without hitting an oncoming car that I did not see, our hearts were racing before we hit the gym. On the way home, I wondered about the car’s fitness, but the sudden mechanical failure turned out to be mine.

A few days later, my eye doctor stopped examining me, picked up his desk phone and speed-dialled the head of ophthalmology at the university. “There’s someone you must see right away,” he said.

On Dec. 1, 2011, I received a diagnosis of Stargardt disease, an inherited retinal disorder that affects central vision. Genetic testing showed that my mother carried the mutation, and my father contributed a common variant. One in 10,000 are afflicted with this rare condition, which often presents in childhood. I was lucky to have reached the age of 50 before I had to give up my keys. But I was in shock.

Since the first day behind the wheel of my father’s Ford truck when I was 14, I knew that driving would be my portal to other worlds. He wanted me to gain skills early and comprehensively. What better way than in the old ’48, with its manual transmission and well-worn body? With an enormous shift on the column and a clutch the size of a discus, it took all my strength to wrestle the gears, and of course my timing was poor.

I stalled often at first, while my father sighed and whistled “I Can’t Get Started.” On a dozen springtime Saturday mornings, I practised in the flat, empty pasture at my grandfather’s farm in rural Illinois. After finally finding the rhythm from first to second and then to third gear, it was time to advance to reverse. “If you need to back up, it’s hard to see where you’re going,” my father — who had been a soldier and a prisoner of war — said with unusual gravity. “You need to feel it.”

My father was resilient in this gear. This trait was my genetic inheritance from him, and a defining one, as I would come to appreciate after my diagnosis.

Once I mastered reverse in the hulking Ford, I drove my own car with confidence and what I might call desire. In the Midwest, roads are long and straight, with great distances between things. I wanted to feel the pedal under my foot, getting me to a new place under my own power.

That feeling persisted throughout my life. Working as a classical music agent, I once sped 200 km/hr in a Mercedes sedan through the night in the Swiss Alps to deliver a cargo of artists to a gig on time. The independence I felt whenever I turned on the ignition filled my whole body with energy and a taste of freedom.

“Seeing is believing,” the saying goes. What could “not seeing” mean for someone who loved driving as much as I did?

Blindness is a simple, unemotional word for most people — either a descriptor, as in “blind audition,” or, more often, a metaphor, as in “love is blind.” When sight loss actually happens to you, “blindness” becomes a full-body garment, custom made to conform with every contour of your inner and outer frame. It inflects you in a way that is incomprehensible to the sighted world as it influences your movements and interactions. How do you respond to your beloved if you cannot see his face? How do you, as an English major, cope with no longer being able to read? And how do you make sense of your changing self? No other sensory deprivation is so personal and laden with mystery. No one says “hearing is believing” or “smelling is believing.” No, only seeing is believing. Not seeing must be believing something else.

Getting to that something else now occupies the second half of my life in a way that, like the other car at the Main Street intersection, I couldn’t see coming. Like becoming aware of unconscious beliefs, it is a matter of bringing to light that which is not visible. This takes courage and imagination, but after the initial shock I have become aware of hidden resources to be tapped. Over time I have found that the sense of loss and vulnerability brought on by decreased independence can lead to a heightened appreciation for new ways of connecting to others and the world.

John M. Hull, a university professor of religious education who was blind, put it this way: “Should I begin to think of myself as a person disabled by a defect but empowered by a capacity?”

Hull spoke the question into a cassette tape recorder, his only means of writing in 1986. His book, On Sight and Insight, is a transformational account of vision loss. It helped me reframe the experience and develop creative and resourceful strategies to maintain relationships and work. The concept of a new-found capacity requires both inner and outer efforts. For me, this has involved everything from analyzing startling dream imagery, to memorizing regularly travelled routes and landmarks, to attuning my musical ear to pick up nuances in people’s voices and modulating my own in response.

Above all, acquiring skills in assistive technology has been like taking that pasture-driving course all over again. It is a matter of putting fear aside and practising a new transmission. Today there is a virtual showroom of “vehicles” used by people who are blind or partially sighted. Smartphone technology and screen readers now allow for a dazzling variety of applications, in which auditory information is activated by touch and thus provides access to written material at a terrific pace. I can shift through these gears at speed, and if I wander into a blind alley, there are keystrokes for reverse. Reading is well within reach.

Everything speaks now — Alexa, ovens, doorbells. It is no longer stigmatizing to walk around talking to yourself on the street or having your phone talk to you. This is now normal. The game-changing remedy for being blind or partially sighted — “accessibility” — is an accepted gear for the general population. This being the case, never again shall the words “nothing can be done” be used by any eye-care professional when surgical procedures or drug therapies may not be available. Much can be done, and the delivery system — already preloaded in “Settings”— is likely right there in the pockets of both the patient and the practitioner. It takes only a willingness and curiosity on the side of both parties to engage in this exploration of vision rehabilitation. This is the best time in human history to lose sight because patients now have another way to be independent.

I feel fortunate to have received guidance at a vision rehabilitation clinic, as well as services from the CNIB Foundation and a support group established by the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Every patient should be so lucky, but many suffer silently when this life-changing transition is not fully appreciated or addressed by physicians. Early guidance and referrals can create a road map to vision loss that is not a dead end but instead offers promising pathways.

Professor Hull coined a phrase that speaks to me and may resonate with other patients who experience sight loss: “whole-body seer.” As reliance on other senses increases, awareness of the whole body is enhanced. Hull writes, “A whole-body seer is someone in whom the specialist function of sight is now delivered upon the whole body and no longer specialized in a particular organ.”

Such a concentrated state of being may offer as heightened a sensation as driving. Indeed, I have noticed increased awareness and pleasure in all kinds of weather, and a deep desire for nature. With support, I have been able to accept and explore the complexities and the progression of my low-vision condition. I have not been tempted to get behind the wheel again. The day I unwittingly risked my stepdaughter’s life — and my own — shut that door for good. But I’m no longer experiencing the situation as demanding a shift into reverse. I’ve picked up a new set of keys to unlock this new life of mine and am finding my way to somewhere else.

Footnotes
- This article has been peer reviewed.
- This is a true story.
This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) license, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided that the original publication is properly cited, the use is noncommercial (i.e., research or educational use), and no modifications or adaptations are made. See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Reference
1. 1 ↵Hull JM. On sight and insight: A journey into the world of blindness. London: Oneworld Publications; 1997.Google Scholar
March 10, 2022
Pandemic Silver Linings for Low Vision Patients
Living in a pandemic, like living with vision loss, rattles our confidence and upends our sense of security. We have little choice but to accept the change and adjust to a new normal. In both scenarios it would be well-advised to embrace technology. Digital access is not an option today, it is a necessity. As the COVID shutdown curtailed major segments of daily activity, the internet opened, enabling us to order food deliveries, stay in touch with loved ones, visit doctors by video, work remotely and educate online.

Before the pandemic, patients with vision loss were counseled against isolating or social distancing. Now both behaviors are widely encouraged to keep everyone healthy and well. With faces partially hidden behind the safety of a mask, the ability to read expressions and recognize others is a problem suddenly affecting the population at large.

It would be fair to assume that the added restrictions would elevate the degree of difficulty for people with low vision. The downside appeared very steep for many in the early days, but as we settled into this new reality, it became clear there were some silver linings.

Image shows: Multiple faces on Zoom video conference screen.

Zoom Video

The now ubiquitous Zoom video conferencing platform will likely go down in history as the pandemic MVP. It stepped in to fill a potentially massive void with a virtual, and COVID-proof, face to face connection. The technology kept work and school ongoing remotely. It allowed for family gatherings, dinner with friends, support group meetings and therapy sessions.

And for those of us with central vision loss, it gave back an ability to see peoples’ faces more clearly than we had in years. I can attest to this experience as a patient with a visual acuity long documented as “counting fingers.” It’s amazing to zoom in and see someone’s facial details more vividly on a digital screen than if they had been sitting right beside me. It did not take long to find others also enjoying the gift of “Zoom acuity.”

Video calls can be accessed either on a smartphone, tablet or computer screen. Far more opportunities have opened up through this medium. People can now attend conferences, seminars and trainings online without the significant expense and travel requirement. Museums can conduct virtual and accessible tours, allowing their patrons in for the closest look at art ever. These are just a few examples of how virtual engagements are expanding.

Pandemic safety precautions pushed us, visually impaired or not, to embrace digital options to maintain daily life. Here are some of the highlights.

Image shows: Man with mask and gloves providing food delivery service to home.

Online Deliveries

Navigating a grocery store was never an enjoyable activity for people with vision loss. The pandemic necessitated a vast expansion of online delivery options, so shopping doesn’t have to be arduous anymore. Most of these services offer same-day delivery or curbside pick-up. Services like Instacart, Shipt and Prime Now also make it possible to communicate with the shopper to insure you’re getting exactly what you want. Once these accounts are set up and products are purchased, it becomes easier to repeat orders by accessing your previous lists. Amazon even has an Accessibility Customer Service Line, for customers with visual impairments, to assist with online shopping. The same goes for ordering take-out from restaurants for delivery through Seamless, Uber Eats and DoorDash. Generally, customers find this a better way and it is likely that most will continue with online deliveries in the long-term.

Image shows: Woman leades video business meeting from home.

Work from Home

The shift to work from home (WFH) happened on a scale and at a speed we would not have imagined achievable. The benefits of this arrangement may even exceed its original purpose of flattening the curve of COVID19 cases. According to Gallup (April 2020), a majority of employees would like to continue WFH even when the pandemic ends . For employees and job seekers with vision loss, the upside is that flexibility and quality of life is being widely recognized resulting in more opportunities. We discussed WFH in on the OE Patients Podcast (September 2020) and our experienced panel also agreed this development will serve to improve employment opportunities for people with visual impairments.

Image Shows: Health care provider talking with patient on video visit.

Telehealth

Patients quickly found telehealth calls and video visits quite appealing as a pandemic alternative with the understanding that they can supplement but not replace in-person visits. On the OE Patients Podcast (June 2020) Allen C. Ho, MD, a retina specialist, discussed better utilization for video visits beyond triaging the need for urgent care. He introduced us to the new hybrid visit being studied, which combines a quick in-person appointment for a fundus photo and OCT scan, followed by a video call with the provider to assess the images and talk with the patient. The result is efficient, high quality and safe patient care. Dr. Ho said, “I see healthcare moving more toward at-home and remote services enabled by technology and accelerated by the pandemic of COVID19.” Our listeners respond very favorably to more convenience and less time in waiting rooms.

Embrace Technology

The common thread throughout these examples of the pandemic silver linings is the use of technology. It is all within the grasp of anyone using a smartphone or tablet. With built-in visual and speech features these devices well-accommodate the needs of patients across the spectrum of vision loss. Age is less of a barrier than one might imagine. Pew Research (2019) shows 73% of people over 65 were Internet users, with screen time over 4 hours per day. We expect significant growth in internet usage for 2020, mainly driven by the pandemic.

Considering the number of Americans with low vision is projected to double by 2050, the American Academy of Ophthalmology stated in a press release (September 2019), “the tragedy isn’t that people have lost vision, it’s that most believe nothing can be done to improve their quality of life.” This is not true and AAO recommends patients make small changes that have positive impact and embrace technology.

Patients look to professionals for advice. Physicians and healthcare providers play an influential role in encouraging patients’ digital acceptance and preparedness. It is the key to maintaining independence and an all-important sense of normal.

Accessibility Resources:
- Apple Accessibility support: (877) 204-3930
- Amazon Accessibility Customer Service: (888) 283-1678
- Verizon Wireless Accessibility: (888) 262-1999
- OEPatients.org: Practical tips and empowering advice for living better with vision loss.
- HadleyHelps.org: Large selection of accessible technology tutorials and access to live expert help.
January 8, 2021
Episode 9: Accessing Audiobooks, Part 3

Audiobooks are an excellent alternative when vision loss takes our ability to enjoy print. In this episode, Dorrie Rush addresses questions and feedback from part 1 & 2.

Full Playlist:

August 28, 2020
Episode 8: Accessing Audiobooks, Part 2

Audiobooks are an excellent alternative when vision loss takes our ability to enjoy print. Learn all about the best options for accessing audiobooks in our conversation with guest, audiobook reviewer and book club moderator, Michelle Ritholz.

Show notes:

BookShare.org

BookShare Customer Service: 650-352-0198

Audible Customer Service Phone: 888-283-5051

Alexa Tech Support Phone: 877-375-9365

OE Link: Alexa Read My Book

Link: Audible Alexa Commands

Link: Kindle Alexa Commands

Amazon Accessibility Phone: 888-283-1678

Apple Accessibility Support 877-204-3930

Full Playlist:

August 7, 2020
How Ai Compensates Vision Loss

To appreciate the role artificial intelligence (Ai) is playing in elevating accessibility and helping make daily life easier for people with vision loss, we’d have to go back well over a decade. In the early 2000s, our technology was known as “assistive” and our access to mainstream tech was a pipe dream. We would say, at that time, that “technology is leveling the playing field for people with visual impairments,” but it wasn’t really. Even the most basic cell phones were largely inaccessible. There were few options and none were good.

Two meaningful events then shifted the paradigm, launching an era of inclusion. in 2009, Apple delivered the fully accessible iPhone (out of the box), the impact of which cannot be overstated. In 2010, the 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act was signed as law in the U.S. and began implementation of rules mandating accessibility of internet browsers and mobile devices for visually impaired and blind users.

Today, Ai is ubiquitous. The technology that simulates human thought processing and response has the power to make many things a lot easier to deal with. It gives visual information a voice, and that is a dream come true for people with vision loss. But the real beauty is that it’s good for everyone.

The development of Ai for consumer application feels new, when in fact it was decades in the making. Good things are always coming together in the background, with potential to change your life for the better. Be open to the possibility.

Let’s take a look at how Ai is being used now to compensate vision loss, and what we might expect in the not too distant future…

Smartphones

The smooth, intuitive and predictive nature of your smartphone can be attributed to Ai. Apple’s high standard for accessibility has kept the iPhone the consistent top choice for people with vision loss. Android has also come a long distance in it’s vision accessibility options.

Voice Assistants

Siri, Google and Alexa are operated on mobile devices, smart speakers and computers, where they can carry out tasks, simple or complicated, just for the asking. They assist with a thousand things, which might otherwise be difficult, slow or even impossible for a person with low or no vision to accomplish independently.

Listen to podcast: Siri, Google & Alexa

Image of Google Maps app on iPhone

Specialized Apps

There is no shortage of Ai apps for accessibility. Several stand out because they were developed by Microsoft and Google, and they are completely free, unlike some predecessors.

Seeing Ai, by Microsoft for iOS, is an intelligent camera app that reads text, identifies products, people, currency, color, scenes, and handwriting.

Read: Seeing Ai is a Gift from Microsoft

Soundscape, by Microsoft for iOS, a map with 3D sound, provides background narration into your earbuds from the left, right and center, telling where you are, what’s around you and what’s ahead.

Read: Microsoft Soundscape: A Review of What It Will Do

LookOut, by Google for Android, camera vision delivers information in 3 modes. Explore describes your environment, Shopping reads product barcodes and currency, and Quick read for signs, labels and mail.

Read: Google’s On The Lookout

Google Maps Detailed Voice Guidance, by Google for iOS & Android, turns on added voice guidance feature in the apps navigation settings. We’re hopeful the accuracy of this enhancement to Google Maps improves. One of many GPS apps for visually impaired users that will be amazing when they get it right.

Read: Review Google Maps Detailed Voice Guidance

Aira, an acronym for Ai Remote Assistance, teams artificial intelligence with real live human agents to help people with vision loss get around and get things done. The subscriber model combines both free and fee-based service options.

Read: Aira Adds A Free Tier

White Smart Home Device

Smart Speakers

Created to house the voice assistants, these speakers are being adopted at rapid rates. They are usable with relative ease and popular priced models are often available under $50. Google Home and Amazon Echo are the favorites, by far. They’re ready to accomplish thousands of tasks, all you do is ask.

Smart Home

Let’s face it, there is something amazing about telling the lights to turn on and having them respond. For someone with vision impairment, the setting of a thermostat or appliance might otherwise be impossible, but with many options for home automation now available, we can also control climate, entertainment and security, with our voice.

OrCam My Eye reading and recognition device

Smart Glasses

We’ll know smart glasses have arrived when everyone’s wearing them. At the moment they are assistive in nature and available for enhancing vision or reading text with the help of Ai. We expect smart glasses too will become more mainstream and much less sci-fi looking.

Read: Electronic Glasses Price Update

Vector illustration of car interior with big navigation display.

Self-Driving

Autonomous vehicles are not quite as imminent as we were led to believe, but the concept still conjures a sense of inclusion for people who lack the vision a driver’s license requires. Not driving will be normal when no one has to.

Facial Recognition

Technology that recognizes faces is available and also controversial in terms of privacy. We can program Seeing AI, for example, to tell us when the camera is pointed at faces of people we know. But imagine for a moment, wearing normal looking smart glasses that allow you to walk into a room and quickly identify the faces you’re not able to see. Amazing!

About Your Privacy

To protect your privacy, never agree to the terms of use without reading them completely. If you don’t understand what you’re agreeing to, get more information. If you don’t like what you’re agreeing to, delete the app and don’t use it.

Turn off Location Sharing in your Privacy settings to restrict the constant tracking of your whereabouts, and grant access only when using the app. Turn off Location Sharing in your Google account as well.

Get into the habit of deleting your voice recordings on a daily basis. It’s as easy as saying, “Delete everything I’ve said today,” to Alexa or Google. To delete Siri recordings, go to Settings> Siri & Search> Siri & Dictation History, then Delete Siri & Dictation History.

March 19, 2020
Electronic Glasses Price Update
We are updating our recap on electronic glasses, because things are changing, most notably price. In the case of all the wearable devices we first discussed at a live event in October 2018, the prices have come down, some significantly. That is a good thing, and we’ll keep an eye out for further developments.

Before you read about and evaluate whether these products might be useful for you, here are some points to consider.

It’s important to manage expectations. There are no magic glasses. How well these products can potentially help you is totally dependent on each individual and on remaining vision.

Think about what specifically you want to do. Can the product help you continue to work or use your computer? Watch TV? Read books, magazines, newspapers? And is the cost of the device a worthwhile investment for this activity?

Acesight augmented reality headset for vision and mobility

Acesight by Zoomax

$4,295.00 — all features

$2,995.00 — simplified version

web: acesight.com

email: [email protected]
- design does not obstruct peripheral vision
- 2 screens with 45-degree fields of view
- high speed refreshes video images fast with no delay
- magnifies to 15X
- adjustable contrast or color mode
- outlining feature highlights objects like doors frames, steps, etc.
OrCam My Eye reading and recognition device

OrCam My Eye 2

$3,500.

web: orcam.com

email: [email protected]
- mini camera sits on eyeglass frame
- text-to-speech reads printed or digital text
- program to recognize people and products
- bar code scanner reads product details
- currency identifier
- color ID
- date & time
- a reading device, does not provide visual magnification
IrisVision VR headset zooms to 12x

IrisVision Live

$2,950.

web: irisvision.com

email: [email protected]
- virtual reality headset
- zooms to 12x
- read in color, black on white, white on black
- 70-degreed field of view
- use voice commands
- streams online video
- text to speech reads documents, menus, books
- mode for TV, mobile device
- visual device, not recommended for mobility
- setting for limited peripheral field
Jordy wearable magnification device

Jordy by Enhanced Vision

$2,575.

web: enhancedvision.com

email: [email protected]
- fast refresh, no blurring video image
- battery charge lasts 8 hours
- simplified tactile controls
- converts to CCTV with docking station
- connects to cable box for TV watching
- device for seeing, not mobility
Man reading with a friend using eSight headwear

eSight 3

$3,950

web: esighteyewear.com

Now at a very competitive price. Read the review, eSight Up Close.

Home screen of Aira app.

Aira

web: aira.io

*Please Note: Just days after this update published, we learned Aira is discontinuing service with smart glasses as of April 1, 2020. Service with smartphones continues.

Monthly subscriptions with glasses start at $124 for 120 minutes. Without glasses monthly plans begin at $29 for 30 minutes.
- connect to trained agent
- 120-degree view of where you are
- connect with smart glasses or smartphone app
- applicable at home, shopping, travel, etc.
- fee-free guest locations available including: AT&T, Wegmans, and a network of airports, with more supermarkets, retailers and transportation terminals, on the way
- quick calls (under 5 minutes) are now free
To learn more about Aira, read Aira Adds A Free Tier and Aira at the Airport.

Original Event Recap: Electronic Glasses article published on October 25, 2018 and updated on January 28, 2019.
February 28, 2020
Living Better With Low Vision
It’s the beginning of 2020, a symbolic year and we hope it brings great things! Let’s start out the year with an important reminder about the many ways you can promote better living with vision loss, for yourself, a family member or a friend. It definitely takes some effort to adjust and continue living life productively, but it’s well worth the work, and it totally beats the alternative.

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.

The basic fact is, when you know better, you do better. OE Patients is dedicated to elevating awareness and empowering patients to live their best life. Improve your low vision IQ, or help a loved one do the same.

Here’s our list of basic tips to inspire change.

Adjusting

Small changes have big impacts on daily living. Your willingness to adjust, as necessary, little by little, delivers compounded dividends. Forget about the inconvenience of doing something different than the way you did it before, it’s way better than giving up something you love altogether. Making adjustments is primary, and all you need is some practice!

Reading

Reading options are a great way to begin your practice of adjusting.
- Magnifiers can be a great benefit for reading and other tasks and are available in wide ranges of power and price. More
- Switch to audiobooks with a free membership to National Library Service. More
- Adjust the text and contrast on smartphones, tablets and computers.
Voice Assistants

Get to know Alexa, Google and Siri, the voice assistants whose popularity is growing at record speed. They can do simple or complicated tasks, the choices are yours.
- Get the time, weather, news and music.
- Play a game, check a score or a stock price.
- Turn on lights, lock doors, and set thermostats.
- Listen to OE Patients Podcast: Siri, Google & Alexa
Happy senior woman with smartphone sitting on bench at park.

Smartphones

Apple and Android phones go the distance with accessibility settings that cover the spectrum of vision loss. And then there are endless apps that do even more.
- Get help with iPhone, call Apple Accessibility: 877-204-3930
- Get help with Android through Be My Eyes.
Accessible Technology

Accessibility support is available to help you set visual preferences on smartphones, tablets and computers. So stop struggling with technology and make some adjustments.
- OE’s list of Accessibility Support Phone Lines.
Utilize Contrast at Home
- Review low vision design tips from Nate Berkus.
Low Vision Rehab Services

Ask your ophthalmologist for information and referral for a Low Vision Evaluation and Vision Rehabilitation Services.

There’s lots more information on the pages of OEPatients.org. Here’s to a happy, healthy and productive year!
January 3, 2020
Making Excuses, Breaking Excuses

We all make excuses, it’s human nature. In the case of vision loss, it is often an attempt to defend or justify a lack of action. For a time it serves a purpose, keeping us from becoming even more uncomfortable than we already are, or so we think.

Implementing small changes, in place of excuses, will deliver significant benefits. So, why not, every now and then, get your excuses in check. No need to induce a guilt trip, instead think of it as a strengthening exercise. There are great rewards awaiting you, right outside your comfort zone. In time, you will surely feel the gain totally outweighs the pain.

Here are some examples you may, or may not, recognize.

“There’s no point in going back to the doctor, he/she said nothing can be done.”

Although there may be no medical treatment for your vision loss, regular dilated eye exams are key to preserving the vision you have and your best bet for early detection of secondary issues. Be An Informed Patient and ask the doctor to explain their statements clearly. You should also ask your physician for a referral to a low vision specialist and vision rehab services, which can help you maximize remaining vision and compensate for the loss.

“I love to read, but I don’t like audiobooks because I need to hold the book in my hands and turn the pages.”

The joy of reading is usually connected to the content, getting involved in the story. It takes a bit of effort, but many people are able to adjust to audiobook and continue consuming literature. It certainly couldn’t hurt to try holding a book while listening to the audio. Or hold a Fire tablet and say, “Alexa, Read My Book.”

“I’m not good with technology.”

More people say this than not, but you don’t have to be “good” with technology to use some of it. Using a smartphone app that reads text, or using dictation instead of typing, does not require aptitude, it just requires some practice.

“I don’t like the sound of the voice.”

This is again, a matter of adjusting. For example, if you couldn’t read your favorite news everyday, would you prefer to totally give it up or adjust over to a voice reading to you? Just like audiobooks it takes some getting used to. There are also many voice options, so if you don’t like one, switch to another.

“I’m quitting my job because I can no longer see the computer.”

Here is a good example of how small changes can keep you in the game or on the job. Microsoft Windows supports an inclusive workplace with settings that customize your screen. Make a friend in IT and begin making adjustments including: large text, custom colors, use of Magnifier or Narrator, and more.

“I don’t need a cane.”

This is fairly common and can be translated to “I don’t want a cane.” Sometimes a fall precipitates a change of perspective about the long white cane, but whatever gets you there, many who cross over have no regrets. It restores a sense of confidence.

If you have any experience you’d like to share or advice about excuse breaking…send us a note.

October 11, 2019
iCanConnect Promotes Equal Access

For people, like me, who are living with both significant vision and hearing loss, the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program, known as iCanConnect, was established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and signed into law in 2010 by President Barack Obama. The program provides accessible technology and training at no cost to recipients qualified under federal disability and income guidelines. An individual assessment determines the equipment that is granted, which includes smartphones, tablets, computers, screen readers, and braille displays.

iCanConnect is administered by different organizations across the United States. Helen Keller International (HKI) is one of the administrators, with offices throughout the country. In Florida, the Florida Outreach Center for the Blind issues applications and referrals to HKI. That’s where I first heard about this wonderful program.

Through the program, I received a computer with all necessary software, including ZoomText, a laser printer, and an iPhone 7 Plus. Next came the trainer, who installed everything and taught me how to handle all this great new stuff.

The iCanConnect technology specialist arrived at my front door with a guide dog, a sign language interpreter and a driver. It was amazing to be taught by this skilled trainer, who travels throughout the country, helping others learn, through his experience and by his powerful example.

I can’t expound enough about the ways I have benefitted from this excellent program. It allows me to function as a writer and lecturer. The technology enables me to stay up to date on the latest information and resources that help people living with macular diseases, and to communicate to my readers and listeners. This article is one of those very efforts, intended to inform many more people about the inclusion and equal access afforded by digital technologies.

A heartfelt thank you to President Obama and the FCC, from Jerry Rosenberg.

For more information go to: iCanConnect.org

Or Call: 800-825-4595

May 31, 2019