There is something magical about dictation. Spoken words are rapidly turned to text. The instantaneous nature is pretty amazing, but the best thing is dictation takes the place of typing.
Whether you have a visual impairment, or not, typing on a tiny touchscreen keyboard is a tedious task. That is why more and more people are becoming dictators.
In Apple iOS devices, Dictation is available whenever there is a keyboard on screen. The Dictation button is the microphone icon at the lower right corner or left of the Space Bar, depending on device. If the microphone key is not there, first go to Settings and click General, next click Keyboard, now go to Enable Dictation and turn on.
Here are the steps for dictating with iPhone or iPad.
Tap on the Dictation / microphone button below the keyboard and be prepared to start speaking following the single ding tone.
Finish speaking and tap again, you will hear a second single ding and your spoken words will appear in the text field.
(With Apple’s VoiceOver screen reader use a two-finger double tap to activate Dictation, and a second two-finger double tap to stop, VoiceOver then reads the text aloud.)
iPhone screenshot shows microphone button on search bar and below keyboard.
Speak clearly for best results. Noisy environments will create conflict. Dictate one sentence at a time for accuracy. Correct errors on imperfect transcripts or delete all and try, try again.
To include punctuation, just say so. Finish a sentence with a “period” or a “question mark.” Follow a salutation with a “comma“ or a “colon.” Also say, “new line,” new paragraph,” “all caps,” “apostrophe,” “hyphen,” or “exclamation mark.”
Practicing can actually be fun, so go ahead and do it. You’ll be a powerful dictator in no time!
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.
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 60 Minutes profile on Freeride skier, Jacob Smith, totally consumes your attention. Freeriding means he skis jagged cliffs, deep chutes, and rough rock walls. That would be impressive enough for anyone, but Jacob is 15 years old, legally blind and skiing against sighted competitors. Once you meet him, you will not forget him.
The story includes Video of Jacob, a few years earlier at the age of 12, dropping into the Big Couloir, a rocky 1400-foot line that descends on a 50-degree pitch. He became the only legally blind skier to successfully conquer this legendary slope at the Big Sky Resort in Montana. It felt so satisfying, he repeated the risky run four more times that day and has not stopped taking on these types of challenges since.
Watching Jacob ski provides little indication that he has severe and blurry tunnel vision, no depth perception, and a visual acuity of 20/800. He proves you can compensate for what you cannot see, with what you can feel. But that’s not all, he also has a trusted and experienced voice guiding him through every turn, it’s the voice of his dad, Nathan, on a two-way radio. It’s not an always perfect scenario and mistakes are made, “But his adaptation is pretty amazing,” says Dad.
Competitive skiing is a family affair, and the Smiths were not about to leave Jacob behind following years of treatment and multiple surgeries, beginning at age 8, to eradicate the brain tumor that took his sight. His siblings Andrew, Preston and Julia say most people who see him ski do not believe he’s legally blind. He does not request or receive any special accommodations at Freeride tournaments and wants to be treated normal, that’s why he competes with sighted skiers. The only real fear he has is “not succeeding.” He says, “No matter what comes at you, there is always a way to adapt, to make it happen and still do what you want to do.”
Watch Jacob Smith: The legally blind 15-year-old freeride skier on 60 Minutes.
An unknown app named OneStep Reader mysteriously appeared in an iOS app update. It became clear upon opening it, this was an old app with a new name. The app, formerly known as KNFB Reader, was taken over from the National Federation of the Blind by Sensotec. Beyond the name and the ownership change, not much else is new, even the $100 purchase price remains the same, which is likely to be its greatest barrier to growth, considering there are many good alternatives at fractions of that cost. It will be interesting to see what Sensotec has in store. Perhaps the most impressive note to this story is how far the OCR technology has traveled to arrive at this place, and how far we’ve come in our expectations.
The article below, published in 2018, provides a brief history of KNFB Reader.
Do you need help reading mail, package info, handouts, cooking directions, price tags, signs? There’s an app for all that. The KNFB Reader converts text to speech, instantly.
It is worth noting: this is technology with a pedigree. Developed by Ray Kurzweil, currently Director of Engineering at Google, he is the father of OCR (Optical Character Recognition). In its original form, it took shape as the Kurzweil Reading Machine for the blind. The year was 1976, the machine was the size of a dishwasher and the cost: $40,000.
In 2008, Kurzweil and the National Federation of the Blind joined forces to introduce the first mobile version of the reading machine. It ran on a Nokia phone and was priced at a shocking: $3,000.
Just a few years later, the much anticipated KNFB Reader App for iPhone (and iPad) was delivered to the App Store. The Android and Windows apps followed, and they’re all compatible with their respective screen readers.
The KNFB Reader app opens the camera. The right side of the screen offers a “field of view report” to assist alignment of the picture. Tap the left side of the screen to snap the photo. In seconds, the text appears and the reading aloud begins. It’s fast, accurate and relatively easy to use.
The app includes a quick start guide and manual. Read and save multi-page documents. Multiple languages are supported. Set to automatically save files to Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, or Google Drive. In recent updates, you can make calls, send emails, and open links directly from documents. You can even contact someone from a business card.
This is relatively easy to use, but like all new things, it may require a bit of acclimating. Practice makes perfect! The incredible benefit is well worth the effort.
You just might start wondering how you functioned without it.
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.
Originally published on August 3, 2018 and updated on April 14, 2022.
OE’s Chief Content Officer, Dorrie Rush, was the first to uncover the Pestle app for iOS, in a post on 9to5Mac. Dorrie, receptive to all things accessible, immediately noticed the alluring convenience of Pestle. With attractive features such as voice control and an easy interface, the potential benefits for cooks with vision impairments immediately popped in her mind. And so, taking the needs of a chef, and putting them in the context of vision loss, Dorrie and I teamed up to give Pestle the official once-over to pinpoint exactly what currently makes this app accessible, along with any missed opportunities.
Pestle is currently advertised as a pocket cookbook where one can add many recipes from different sources, collected into Pestle, with a touch of a button. It creates a uniform breakdown of internet-accessible diverse recipes. And in addition to this, some features go the extra mile for an all-in-one recipe destination—converting the ingredients when you’re working in unfamiliar units, scaling it to make the perfect portions, and access to timers right within the app. But, the unique claim-to-fame from Pestle is the voice-controlled steps (which seems priceless when your hands are covered in garlic and olive oil). Though this all sounds great – what does it mean for those with vision loss?
The first step to Pestle is to import a recipe. I found this to be valuable in theory – especially for recipe bloggers who detail their introductions more than the steps themselves. When working with vision loss, navigating through mountains of text can prove itself both jarring and exhausting. So, Pestle’s import should alleviate that concern. However, I found that any recipe which I’d attempted to import, that didn’t have an already-straightforward and clearly-laid-out recipe in the link, was rejected by Pestle. After no luck from a few lesser-known websites, I finally found one which imported no problem. This recipe was from Food52, a well-established food online publication and shop. I felt disenchanted, experiencing problems right at the outset, yet chugged along. For a chef like myself, who is often cooking recipes from lesser-known websites, the inconsistency was considered a major let-down. However, Dorrie could find recipes easily on Siri Search and all but a few converted without issue.
Right away, I took note of the distinct recipe layout. The text; written in contracting white and bright green colors. The ingredient amount is written in one color, whereas the ingredient itself is in a different one. So, to those with moderate vision loss, keeping a large repertoire of recipes in Pestle is conducive to a consistently efficient recipe reading experience.
Screenshots of Pestle App recipes.
Once “start cooking” is hit, the app turns into a full-screen display of the recipe’s steps, color-coded like previously, where the steps are white but when ingredients are mentioned, it’s in green. It’s naturally easy to distinguish between the instruction, and what is required to be on the cutting board. But because the recipe’s steps don’t automatically include the measurements, I found it was best to have everything measured and portioned beforehand. For an average week-night, assembling all the ingredients is certainly more organized, yet infinitely more time-consuming. Though there is a feature to tap on the ingredient which pops up the quantity, but it is in incredibly small text. Dorrie pointed out how, as one might expect, the iPad display offers quite large text, and this app is especially useful in that context.
For those who require a higher level of accessibility, the VoiceOver screen reader for iOS worked wonders. However, using VoiceOver requires tapping your screen, which somewhat defeats the purpose of their voice-controlled steps. Much of the novelty of Pestle is the ability to work hands-free, leaving them to get dirty in the ingredients. But when I tried to work hands-free, with necessary long pauses between steps, the voice control would no longer detect my voice. If I had recently touched the screen or moved steps, the app would be at attention, ready for my call. But, once 15 to 20 minutes had passed, idle on a step, the command would not register at all. I found myself repeating Next incessantly to a frozen screen. Shortly after, my phone was completely covered in flour.
Though there was something left to be desired, there were a lot of things Pestle did well. While a few recipe links I tried hadn’t agreed with Pestle, their developers made it clear they’re working on expanding its reach soon. And the recipe I saved was seamlessly integrated. I was impressed with the keywords accentuated, along with the steps so well presented. When the voice command worked, I was in love. I did feel the addition of the timers were superfluous – it’s much easier to ask Siri (or Alexa or Google) to set a timer, and easier to check it too. In tandem with the voice command, Dorrie and I agreed, adding voice commands that allow Siri to read the steps to you, would make Pestle better for everyone. But without that feature, and while the voice commands are not up to par, this app seems only helpful on a limited basis in terms of vision accessibility. Though, the potential is there, as is its current purpose – which Pestle delivers on well with clean formatted recipes that make reading easier for users of large text or VoiceOver.
We love to share stories of people succeeding with vision loss, at every age and stage of life. It reminds us all that there is no limit to what is possible. Each story has the power to inspire so many more to find the potential in perseverance. Read on to meet the artists, athletes, writers, filmmaker, judge and restaurateur who have flourished. There is a common thread that runs through these stories, vision lost and perspective gained.
Rachel Christian says working remotely is a game changer for people with vision loss.
Rachel Christian, Journalist
Rachel, a personal finance writer who is legally blind from cone dystrophy, finds working from home is profoundly empowering. She has control of her work environment, does not feel self-conscious around coworkers and she does not have to deal with the transportation hurdles inherent for visually impaired commuters. It’s a game changer.
Most of his sight was lost, by the age of 25, to retinitis pigmentosa. In the process he discovered that fear can be much more debilitating than vision loss. In his memoir, Eyes Wide Open, he discovered blindness could be overcome by letting go of overarching anxiety and inhibitions. Isaac says, “I’ve gained vision by losing my sight.”
She has a white cane in one hand and a camera in the other, which can be a confusing sight, but that just goes to show you can have an eye for photography without having good eyesight. Alexandra’s multiple vision problems are caused by albinism, and although she can’t see a lot of detail she has proven her ability to capture the special moments her clients treasure.
A retired professor of fine arts and humanities has not let vision loss stop her from creating award winning art. Her vision loss resulting from ischemic optic neuropathy precipitated a new life, that for her had to remain centered in art.
She is determined to let nothing get in her way and looks forward to helping make the film business more accessible for people who are differently abled while helping to dispel the perpetuation of stereotypes. Lily is legally blind from cone rod dystrophy, a condition she was diagnosed with at the age of 11.
He has served on the United States Court of Appeal since 1994. Along every step of that way, he dealt with progressive vision loss, from retinitis pigmentosa, and found the resources he needed to succeed.
Legal blindness from, Stargardt Disease, would not deter this world-class athlete. She set her sights on gold and took it in the 100 meter backstroke at the Tokyo Paralympics. At 17, she is inspiring people of every age to achieve their goals.
Legally blind from the age of 18, he built a storied career in New York City’s legendary restaurant business, beginning with the creation of the first Friday’s location, which would become an internationally recognized chain.
He entered the realm of vision loss, without warning, in 2017 as he awoke to a forever changed view caused by a stroke of the eye. Now a Duke University professor, he continues to communicate with readers through The New York Times and is about to publish his tenth book, The Beauty of Dusk: On Vision Lost and Found.
Monet, da Vinci, Degas, O’Keefe, Renoir, Rembrandt, Artists
Thanks to Perkins Learning for this enlightening article on the array of visual impairments that affected the most renowned artists in history. Vision loss did not hinder, in many cases it actually enhanced their work.
It’s that most wonderful time of the year, when we circle back and take a look at OE’s most popular posts from 2021. Move forward and discover an audio guide for baking, advice on utilizing peripheral vision and the power of small changes. The list includes our most read content on accessible technology and emotional well-being.We want you to be inspired to develop a new skill or create a good habit for the fresh new year!
If you’d prefer to have the text of pages read to you, just click the button marked “Listen” on the upper right menu.
Gia Pergolini shows gold medal triumph. Image Credit: Cady Studios
Gia Pergolini is a Champion
She is OE’s Person of the Year. At 17, Gia Pergolini is a world class, world record braking swimmer, and a gold medalist in the Tokyo Paralympics. She teaches us about strength and grace while living with vision loss.
Image shows plate of delicious freshly baked brownies.
Breaking Eggs Makes Baking Audible
Take a delightful baking class with professional baker and former Great British Bake-Off contestant, Ruby Tandon. Both the experience and the results are delicious! It will maKe you wish more cookbooks were audible.
Advanced macular degeneration leaves a blind spot in the center, eccentric viewing can help you learn to actually see around it, utilizing the unaffected peripheral sight. Here are some easy ways to practice and make it natural.
Feeling overwhelmed by vision los, or the pandemic, try dealing with change in smaller, bite-size increments. Join us and explore ways to get things done in minutes instead of hours.Breaking up monotony and boosting efficiency will help restore our sense of stability.
Image shows Hadley workshop image of iPhone in hand.
Meet Hadley 2.0, Your Private Tutor
Hadley is the vision loss resource everyone needs to know. A welcoming place to learn technology, access podcasts, attend workshops, join discussion groups and more. Log in to this user friendly environment online, or they’ll even mail the printed content to you. It’s unique and amazing!
Image shows: large screen with video meeting participants
Pandemic Silver Linings for Low Vision Patients
Well yes, we are so tired of talking about the pandemic, however, it cannot be denied, there were many interesting surprises in it for visually impaired people.
Once again, Apple has created a product that is inclusive and exclusive, all at once. It’s also good for your health, because it eliminates the anxiety that occurs when you can find keys, wallets, etc., as you’re leaving the house.
We like to say, “vision loss affects your eyes not your brain,” but that is not totally true. Here are the tips for avoiding cognitive issues and dementia related to low vision.
There is a term related to vision loss that is misunderstood and chronically misinterpreted. Most people have heard the term but do not know what it means. It consists of two words which do not clearly articulate their purpose. Let’s clarify what Legal Blindness is, and what it is not.
What is legal blindness?
Legal blindness is a government standard measurement of visual acuity that qualifies a person for disability benefits and disqualifies their ability to drive. The US Social Security Administration defines legal blindness as vision no better than 20/200 or a visual field of 20 degrees or less in both eyes. This means if something is 200 feet away, you have to stand 20 feet from it in order to see it clearly, but a person with 20/20 vision can see it clearly from 200 feet away.
What is the difference between legal blindness and total blindness?
Total blindness denotes a complete lack of vision, also referred to as no light perception (NLP). Approximately 15% of people who are legally blind are totally blind, the majority have varying degrees of visual impairment. The terms are frequently conflated, causing a good deal of the confusion.
Can you be legally blind in one eye?
No. The vision in both eyes must be no better than 20/200 OR must have a visual field of 20 degrees or less.
It is also possible to be deemed legally blind if one eye has a field of 20 degrees or less and the other eye has an acuity no better than 20/200.
Can you be legally blind if your vision is correctable?
No.There is no such thing as, “legally blind without my glasses,” if your vision loss is correctable with lenses, be very grateful, you are not considered legally blind.
Is your driver’s license revoked if classified as legally blind?
No. There is no requirement that legal blindness be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles. An eye doctor may advise you to stop driving long before you reach legal blindness. Don’t resist that advise, it should be taken seriously for your safety and the well-being of others you’ll encounter on the road.
Image shows woman looking at eye chart with one eye covered.
Is legal blindness the same as actual blindness?
No. About 15% of people who are legally blind are totally blind, 85% have impaired vision. Referring to everyone who meets the legal blindness qualification, as “blind” is not accurate or appropriate. It is really up to the individual, how they wish to identify.While many vision loss terms have become largely outdated, the two that are widely used today are visually impaired and low vision, representing a spectrum that describes vision loss ranging from 20/70 to 20/1000 and beyond.
According to the CDC, approximately 12 million people in the US, over age 40, have low vision, or uncorrectable vision with an acuity of at best 20/70.
What are causes of legal blindness?
Most legal blindness occurs in adults over the age of 40 and is caused by progressive eye diseases including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. Some people are visually impaired since birth and others inherit eye diseases, like retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt Disease and Leber’s, that present earlier in life. Other illnesses and accidents can also cause severe vision loss that reaches the level of legal blindness.
How do people deal with legal blindness?
Legal blindness need not be a watershed moment, don’t be derailed by the psychology of it. Dealing with progressive vision loss should begin long before this point. If you are not notified of this milestone, it will more than likely pass without your knowledge. Keep things in perspective and use this opportunity to explore potentially new resources available to you. Ask your doctor for referral to vision rehabilitation services in your area, which you now may fully qualify for.
What benefits does legal blindness qualify for?
Legal blindness means that you qualify for some government benefits that may include vision rehabilitation services, vocational training, disability benefits and some tax exemptions. Most benefits require further qualifications and an intensive application process.
Our friend and colleague, Jerry Rosenberg, passed away on November 5, 2019, his 89th birthday.He was a loving husband, father, grand and great-grandfather. He lived life with purpose, not allowing progressive vision and hearing loss or age, to thwart his mission to help others. Jerry chaired a support group, affiliated with the Association for Macular Diseases, for more than two decades. He loved to write and never stopped, his second book was published just weeks ago. He will be missed, but not forgotten.
Jerry’s distinct voice will continue to be heard through his articles published on the pages of OE Patients. We are honored to share a bit of his legacy with this memorial tribute.
Little girl eating ice cream over blue background.
The vision loss of a family member or friend is not always easily understood by those around us. In this article, Jerry offers an honest assessment with a healthy dose of humor.
In this post, Jerry reminds us that age should not be a barrier to leaning something new, particularly for those of us with vision loss, there is much to gain in adopting and adapting.
Because Jerry was both legally blind and hearing impaired he was able to benefit from the ICanConnect program, receiving computer technologies and training that enabled him to communicate digitally and continue writing.
On World Sight Day, October 10, 2019, Google announced an important update for people with vision loss. The news was reported by CNBC, CNET, Engadget and The Verge, among many others. We learned Google Maps is rolling out a new feature that provides detailed voice guidance for walking directions.They emphasize that it’s built for, and by people with impaired vision. They also acknowledge it can be good for anyone getting around an unfamiliar place.
On the Google Blog
Wakana Sugiyama, a Business Analyst at Google participated in the development of this project as an advisor and tester. She writes on the Google Blog, “As a legally blind woman living in Tokyo, I know that getting around unfamiliar environments can be a challenge. I can easily commute from my front door to my desk at work; it’s a trip I take regularly and know well. But going some place new and unfamiliar can be an intimidating experience without sight to guide you.” If you have a visual impairment that prevents you from seeing signs or other elements of identification, you know the feeling Wakana describes.
The added audible cues Wakana touts sound like a dream come true. She says, “With this feature, I can navigate the streets of Tokyo with more comfort and confidence. As I take my journey, Google Maps proactively lets me know that I’m on the correct route, the distance until my next turn and the direction I’m walking in. As I approach large intersections, I get a heads-up to cross with added caution. And if I accidentally leave my route, I’ll get a spoken notification that I’m being re-routed.”
Setting the App
The video of Wakana finding her way through the streets of Tokyo helps me to imagine myself getting to unfamiliar destinations with a new sense of ease. The Google Maps iOS app is now open on my phone, but it is not completely clear how to turn on the new setting.A call to Google accessibility support through the Be My Eyes (BME) app will provide the answer.
Ashley from Google answers the call and walks me through the required settings. In the Menu, at the upper left, go to Settings, then Navigation, at the bottom of the Navigation options list turn on Detailed Voice Guidance. This is my first encounter with Google through BME and it is quick, pleasant and productive.All set and ready to go!
At the top of the Google Maps app, right past the search bar, I tap Voice Search and ask for, “Walking directions to P.F. Chang’s.” It’s a familiar destination for testing purposes, 0.6 miles, or 12 minutes, away. On the bottom left corner of the app I tap the button labeled “Steps” to review the step by step directions for reference. At the top of these directions there is an alert that says: “Use Caution – Walking directions may not always reflect real-world conditions.”
Navigation with Detailed Voice Guidance
I tap the big blue button labeled “Start” and the voice navigation begins with, “Turn left on Renaissance Square and proceed for 250 feet and turn left onto MainStreet.” I make a left on Main and continue walking 0.3 miles to South Broadway. On route to South Broadway the voice guidance announces erratic fluctuations in distance ahead, 800, then 350, then 600 feet, all in a matter of 10 footsteps. Twice while walking on Main St. the voice said to “Make a right turn”, but it was long before the turn was available.
At the intersection of Main & South Broadway I make a right turn as instructed and continue in the correct direction. The voice tells me to make a right turn on two different streets along the way, but I don’t because it would have taken me in the wrong direction entirely.I proceed to the left turn that will lead around a bend and onto Westchester Avenue, just minutes from P.F. Chang’s, ignoring the conflicting map chatter until it says, “Proceed for 0.1 miles” which means Google is now in agreement with my route. The voice guidance is not always in sync with the directions listed step by step on the app. Good thing I’m going to a familiar place.
Upon arrival at the entrance to P.F. Chang’s, unmistakable with its signature giant horse statues stationed in front, the voice guidance becomes unusually quiet. I continue walking past the entrance to see how the navigation reacts. At the corner the voice says,“Make a right turn and proceed for 200 feet,” which takes me into a parking garage. Inside the garage Google announces, “Your destination is on the right.” But that’s not right.
The return trip did not go much better.Voice guidance seemed to fall far behind my actual location. Twice the voice said to make a turn that I actually took minutes earlier. I was already back in my office sitting at the computer when I heard, “Your destination is on the right.” And that was wrong.
Conclusion
Not one to give up easily, I take two more strolls with Google Maps detailed voice guidance. Both were simpler routes and the voice guidance a little better, however still not good. Perhaps my expectations would not be as high had I not seen the Google video showing Wakana getting so smoothly to her destination in Tokyo, using this feature.Why, I wonder, is it not working that well for me?
Before I finish writing this article I call Google support, again through BME. I want to find out if I am doing something wrong, or if others are reporting similar issues. It is again Ashley answering the call and she remembers our chat a few days before. She has not received other calls on the new Google Maps feature, but promises to look into it and also to test the detailed voice guidance herself.
You too should give it a try and tell us how it goes.
Note: In January 2019, eSight announced a permanent 40% price reduction for its eSight electronic glasses, from $10,000 USD to $5,950 USD. In February 2020 the price was again reduced to $3995 USD.
eSight is a head-mounted video display that uses magnification to help people with low vision see. It requires a visual function to work, provides optimal benefit to those with visual acuities around 20/200, and with a field view greater than 15 degrees. The device can even be useful for people with acuities as low as 20/1000.
The 1st generation of this product came to market in 2013 at a price of $15,000. Generation 3 arrived in 2017 at just under $10,000.Currently sold in about 42 countries, there are about over 1,000 eSight devices in use today. The company offers assistance to help customers find funding for the device.
eSight has received a lot of media attention, but it has not really caught on. Price most certainly is a factor.
A woman walking while using eSight glasses in a city.
Recently, a friend scheduled an eSight demo in New York and invited me to join. We both have advanced central vision loss. He was not able to benefit at all from eSight, but I was. And I began to see the light.
The eSight 3 is a cumbersome visor-like device. It is heavier than I expect and there is a wire that is attached to a battery pack. The eSight specialist adjusts the device and I am able to look across the room and see her colleague smiling at me. I can tell she is wearing bright red lipstick and a red and white print scarf.
This is indeed a moment. I look around the room and walk over to look out the window. They show me how I might read with this device, zooming into the print. For me, nothing else feels quite as profound as being able to see a person’s face from the other side of a room.
Although I would have difficulty wearing the eSight device in public for daily activities like commuting, restaurant dining, or grocery store shopping, perhaps others would be unfazed. The potential benefits are highly individual. There are many ways this device can keep you working,enjoying hobbies, watching TV. And of course, seeing people.
Remember, it comes down to adjusting, and it takes some time to get comfortable. If eSight can give you back or help you maintain function, and you use it every day, it can be a worthwhile investment.
eSight 3 Demonstration Video from The Chicago Lighthouse
In this video, Luke Scriven, Assistive Technology Specialist at The Chicago Lighthouse, explores eSight 3’s features.
Testimonial Video by Techish
Yvonne Felix is a working professional, public and community artist, and a mother of two, living with Stargardt disease. In this video, she demonstrates her experience with eSight 3. eSight CEO Brian Mech joins her to explain how it works.
Disclaimer: Yvonne is a beta-tester number one for eSight, starting in 2012. We’d also like to note that, more accurately, the device can potentially assist with helping people who are “legally blind” see better with the sight they have remaining.
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.
Originally published on December 1, 2017 and updated on October 10, 2018.
