OE Patients

Tag: legally blind

  • You’re Never Too Old To Learn

    You’re Never Too Old To Learn

    Having chaired a support group for more than 20 years in Florida, the land of seniors and thus the land of visual impairment, I see an interesting story.

    From my own observation at my meetings, where I often invite presenters, such as Magnifying America, Enhanced Vision, Optelec, Freedom Scientific, Magnifeye, OrCam, eSight, I see surprisingly little buying.

    There is interest, of course, as some of these new devices now are portable and can read to you, along with other delightful add-ons and gadgets to allow us to function as independently as possible.

    I know that I couldn’t function without one such device and I have four: one in my office, one in my bedroom and another on my patio, plus a “mini” that I carry with me.  These must-have devices of mine are video magnifiers, also known as CCTVs.

    I’m legally blind: 20/400 in my left eye and 20/300 in my right. I have lectured on the advantages of adaptive devices, iPhones, as well as others that have been developed over the years, and I would love to know what keeps some people holding back.

    I had a member recently call me asking where he could get a large-number flip phone. I said, “Get a smartphone. You don’t have to look for numbers, you just have to program the phone and then ask them to call that person.” Then I added, “Even if that person is not on your contact list, you tell the phone the number you need.”

    I don’t think a day goes by that I’m not on my computer. I wake up to search my email and close down at night, seeing what else came in. I do research, catch up on the news of the day and visit my friends and family as well as the stock market.

    The doctor tells us our hearing is bad and we run to buy a hearing aid for an average price of $3,000. We run to the eye doctor, retina specialist, or low vision optometrist, and fit new glasses, yet don’t run to buy a CCTV. We ask others to read our mail, may not be able to read a newspaper or magazine or book, yet hesitate to get an electronic magnifier to open up the world.

    One thing I picked up on while lecturing on “Low Vision Rehabilitation” really opened my eyes. A lady in the front row said, “Why should I bother? I’m 95 years old.” I came back with, “What are you waiting for?”

    No one knows for sure how much time we have left. Why not make the time we do have left as good as we can make it? If we can better our lives on this Earth, let’s go for it!


    Get started with OE resources:

     

  • Seeing AI Is A Gift From Microsoft

    Seeing AI Is A Gift From Microsoft

    We love technology that empowers… especially when it gives us back something vision loss has taken. Microsoft’s Seeing AI app is all that. It is an intelligent camera that reads text on the go and tells you who and what is around you.

    Seeing AI is a sweet surprise of a package filled with stuff you’ll want. Get back to reading signs, documents, and products on the go.  And get more detail about the people and scenes you’re not seeing clearly.

    The interface is clean and nicely designed. It’s relatively easy to acclimate to, but the more you use it…the better you get. There is a Quick Help Guide in the upper right of each channel, with both text and a video tutorial.

    Here’s a rundown of the Seeing AI channels…

    • Short Text – hold the camera over text and it reads, just like that. Use it on signs, price tags, tickets, mail, packages, etc. Start reading everything in and out of sight.
    • Documents – the camera guides you to photograph the entire page and reads back. Navigates headings in documents with VoiceOver, particularly useful in reading restaurant menus. (Similar to the KNFB Reader app.)
    • Product – a bar code reader with audio guidance. In the grocery store, for example, you’ll be able to identify the brand and flavor on the ice cream container, or the fat content of the milk, or if the bread is wheat or white.
    • Person – use the camera to scan and tell you about the people around. Facial descriptions include an estimate of age and expression. Set face recognition to announce the name of someone you know when they come into view.

      Microsoft Seeing AI app describing a person sitting outside.
      Microsoft Seeing AI app describing a person sitting outside.
    • Scene – take a photo and hear the description of the scene. 

    The accuracy is very good, but not perfect. Like you, it is still learning. Help the process by sharing your thoughts and experience with the developers. There’s a link to send feedback directly from the Menu.

    The Seeing Ai app is free, available in the App Store. This is by no means a small token, it is a meaningful gift. Not long ago, technology designed for people with visual impairments was available only at very hefty prices. 

    The best is yet to come. Microsoft says this is just a glimpse into artificial intelligence.

    For latest updates to Seeing AI, read our full article here.

    Microsoft’s “Seeing AI” Video

    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 11, 2017 and updated on August 3, 2018.

  • Low Vision Awareness: Time to Get Organized

    Low Vision Awareness: Time to Get Organized

    A visual impairment that causes an acuity of 20/70 or less (in the better eye) and is not correctable with standard prescription glasses, or medical treatment, is considered ‘low vision.’  Although the term seems self-explanatory, it is not universally known, used predominantly by professionals in the field of vision rehabilitation and ophthalmology.

    People with low vision can benefit from higher powered magnification that may take the form of glasses, handheld devices, stand magnifiers and desktop video magnifiers. These specialized magnifiers range from 3x to 30x.  A low vision evaluation with a specialist is a good opportunity to see what works best for you.

    Patients are not typically referred for vision rehab services until they are legally blind (20/200 in the best eye), because that is when fees for services are covered. So living with a progressive vision loss is your best advantage to get into the habit of making adjustments long before legal blindness.

    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.

    Let’s face it, everyone feels better when they’re organized. It gives us all a better sense of security. Like all good things we do for ourselves, order is something we have to work at and get into the habit of maintaining.

    Here are some tips for re-organizing:

     

    Declutter

    This can be a difficult exercise for many people, but it is the absolute most important first step. Get rid of the stacks of catalogs and unopened junk mail you are never going to look at. Arrange for some help from a friend or a professional. Let it go. Purge! This eliminates a major safety hazard and it’s truly cathartic.

     

    An organized drawer with folded clothing.
    An organized drawer with folded clothing.

     

    Clothing

    Overstuffed, disorganized closets are totally unpleasant and way too difficult to find anything in. Get rid of the clothes that don’t fit or haven’t been worn in a while. It’s always good to be able to move hangers easily to find what you’re looking for. Set up the closet as you like, by category, color, season. Keep things neatly folded on shelves or as preferred. Get shoes in order on door organizers or on racks, keeping them out of your path to prevent stumbles. Dressers also crave coordination, as does the coat closet. Might be wise to get some help here to look over the clothes and make sure they’re looking good.

     

    Cooking utensils neatly placed in a drawer kitchen organizer.
    Cooking utensils neatly placed in a drawer kitchen organizer.

     

    Kitchen

    A place filled with cabinets and drawers is just asking to be organized. Cooking utensils and silverware should be neatly arranged so you can put your hand on the item you’re looking for. Consider using brightly colored utensils or contrasted dishes for better visual ID. Organize food pantry items as preferred and keep everything in it’s designated place. Keep favorites up front. Use textured bump dots for touch identification on frequently used appliance settings.   

     

    Bathroom

    This is usually a small room that houses many small products where order is essential. In the bathroom, less is always best. Pare down to the everyday items. Keep cabinet shelves tidy. Do your best to remove clutter from surfaces. Put away or discard items not used often.

    Eliminating chaos among your things will help you every single day. Explain to family members, and remind them from time to time, the importance of keeping your world organized. 

     

  • 4 Things You Should Not Give Up In the New Year

    4 Things You Should Not Give Up In the New Year

    The start of a fresh new year is filled with promise. Anything and everything is possible. It’s a good time to evaluate your goals and objectives for the year ahead. 

    OE Patients was created to provide practical tips and encouraging advice to keep you addressing the challenges of vision loss and moving forward.  We strongly recommend a conscious renewal of your resolve to not give up doing the things you need to do and love to do.

    Coping with a visual impairment can be daunting until you discover there are solutions. We advise always to explore options, and never to give up easily. Here are 4 categories you should not give up, each followed by the tried and true solutions found in the pages of OE Patients.

    Don’t Give Up On Technology

    Continuing to use a mobile device or computer with a visual impairment can be unpleasant at times. But living without the use of technology today will be even more difficult. The very solutions you need, to adjust visual settings or access speech, are built into the software’s accessibility settings.  We’ll continue to give lots of advice on Accessibility & Technology in the coming year.  Here are links to some of the articles already posted:

    Accessibility Support Lines You Should Know

    10 things Siri Will Do If You Ask

    Savvy Seniors Tech Support Resources

    Are You A Dictator?

    10 Things to Know About iPhone Accessibility

    Don’t Give Up The Job

    We acknowledge that adjusting to vision loss while contending with the demands of a job can feel overwhelming. There are accessibility solutions built into your computer that can be exactly what you need to continue working productively. Make a friend in IT and get some help. Strongly consider discussing your visual impairment with your supervisor or Human Resources, it is in the employer’s best interest that you succeed on the job. Strengthen your resolve with a look back at these articles on this topic from OE Patients:

    5 Ways to Make Your Computer at Work Easier to Use

    Magnifiers Are a Must

    eSight Up Close

    Innovation Drives Inclusion

    Don’t Give Up On Reading

    Reading is always affected by vision loss. It is important to learn early on to make the adjustments that will keep you reading. Consider the lighting, text size, contrast, and magnification.  At some point, you may decide to move part of your reading to listening. A good audiobook is every bit as enjoyable as a real page-turner.

    Reading has a very broad spectrum and it comes into play over and over throughout any given day. You may need to find new ways to read signs, packaging, documents, and mail.  Here are some options to look at:

    Get Back the Joy of Reading with NLS

    iPad Accessibility Set Just Right for You

    Seeing AI is a Gift From Microsoft

    Kindle Gets A Voice

    Don’t Give Up Your Independence

    It all really ultimately comes down to independence, and it should never be given up without a fight! Stay tuned to these pages and we’ll keep giving you the power. 

    6 Ways to Make Bill Paying Easier

    GoGo Grandparent Gets an Uber Without an App

    Consider the Long White Cane

  • Kindle Gets A Voice

    Kindle Gets A Voice

    Remember the days when books were printed on paper and text size could not be adjusted? Amazon’s Kindle forever changed the way we read. It also made it possible for many people with low vision to continue reading with their chosen font size and better light built into the page.

    The Kindle also has something of a checkered past when it comes to Accessibility. In the early generations, Amazon implemented Text To Speech for visually impaired or blind users. And then they restricted it pending publishers approval. the concern was about authors potentially losing revenue from audiobooks, if eBooks could be converted to “free” audiobooks. It was clear they were missing the point.

    A few years back they put screen readers in Fire Tablets and eliminated them from Kindle eReaders. But that was then,  and now, it appears, they have seen the light. Hallelujah!

    Today’s Kindle eReaders and Kindle Paperwhite can be purchased with a VoiceView Audio Adapter. This is a screen reader that plugs into the USB port. The sound is delivered through Bluetooth earphones or speakers. The screen reader provides spoken feedback for navigating the device menus, settings, library, etc. And, of course, it reads the books to you.

    An Amazon Paperwhite eReader with a VoiceView audio adapter.
    An Amazon Paperwhite eReader with a VoiceView audio adapter.

    The price of the adapter ($19.99) is credited back to your account, so you are not actually paying more for accessibility.  Tutorials are built in to help you learn gesture-based navigation.

    Amazon continues to progress and promised much more to come in accessibility. Maybe even a dedicated Accessibility Support Phone Line?

    For now, if you need help call the friendly and competent general Kindle’s Support Line at 866.321.8851.

     

    Article first published on September 8, 2017.  

  • 6 Ways To Make Bill Paying Easier On The Eyes

    6 Ways To Make Bill Paying Easier On The Eyes

    Paying bills can be an unpleasant experience on many levels. Adding vision loss to this process can make it a dreaded task…each and every month.

    We get used to managing finances in a certain way and it’s not so easy to change those habits. A willingness to make some adjustments in dealing with bills can lift a significant and recurring stress.

    Monthly bills can be requested in accessible formats like large print, but more and more businesses are requesting that customers Go Paperless. If you can transition to managing your accounts online, it’s better for you…and for the environment.

      

    Here are six good options:

    • Online bill paying: can be set up with your bank. Accounts are programmed to be paid on a regular schedule or can be paid as you wish. The bank’s Customer Service can be helpful in getting set up and ask your bank what kind of Accessibility services they offer.
    • Automatic bill paying: is available with most utilities, phones, credit cards, insurance, and cable. Set up online or call your provider’s customer service to set up over the phone. This process automatically deducts the amount of your bill from your designated bank account on a given day each month.
    • Pay by credit card: is an option offered by many monthly billers. This can be a preferable option as it will allow you to consolidate your payments to one card and collect points or rewards.
    • Pay by phone: is also offered by utilities and credit cards. The account can be set up as a direct debit from your account and each month you will call to authorize a specific payment amount.
    • Smartphone and tablet apps: offer a very convenient and easy way to make payments for a variety of charges including credit cards, phone, utilities, and more.
    • Magnifier: continuing to read paper bills and writing checks, with low vision, may be best accomplished with the use of a desktop video magnifier which enables you to write as well as read with magnification. (More about this in “Magnifiers Are A Must”)

    Don’t be overwhelmed at the thought of making all these changes at once. Deal with one bill at a time and feel free to implement a combination of the available options.

     

  • Magnifiers Are A Must

    Magnifiers Are A Must

    For most people of a ‘certain age’, magnifiers are an important accessory. For those of us with a visual impairment, or progressing vision loss, magnifiers are an absolute necessity. Whether simple or sophisticated, a magnifier that works for you is worth its weight in gold.

    Over-the-counter reading and magnifying glasses are a booming business and that means lots of choices. At lower powers (1X, 2X, 3X) they can be purchased in multiples and strategically placed in all the spots you will need one — in a pocket or handbag, desk drawer, kitchen counter, nightstand, etc.

    OTC Magnifiers

    Two optical magnifiers in different shapes. 
    Two optical magnifiers in different shapes. 

    Magnifiers come in many shapes and sizes. There are domes,  there are loops, and there are magnifiers that sit on stands. There are wearable and chic magnifiers created by famous designers. There are even magnifiers in mirrors and in smartphones.

    Illuminated Optical Magnifiers

    Three illuminating optical magnifiers in different sizes.
    Three illuminating optical magnifiers in different sizes.

    Higher powers of magnification (4x plus) are likely to come in the form of illuminated optical magnifiers. The diopter (size and shape of a lens), the light, and the power all must be considered in making a good selection. Different combinations of light and power will yield different results depending on the task at hand. The prices range from $50 to $150.  An appointment with a low vision specialist is well advised, it is an opportunity to try a variety and see what works best.

    Portable Video Magnifiers

    Two handheld video magnifiers by Optelec.
    Two handheld video magnifiers by Optelec.

    Video magnifiers take us from the optical to the digital. They utilize a camera that projects on a screen.  Unlike the fixed powers of the optical magnifiers, these offer multiple zoom levels in every device. They are the biggest, most powerful, and they are by far the most expensive. Also referred to as electronic magnifiers or CCTV’s — video magnifiers are available in hand-held and portable versions in a range from $200 to $1,500. The larger desktop models, with computer size display screens, run between $2,000 and $4,000.

    Smartphone Magnifier

    A magnifying glass over an iPhone screen.
    A magnifying glass over an iPhone screen.

    The smaller pocket versions have recently met a tough competitor: the smartphone magnifier. As the quality of mobile cameras improves, so does their digital magnification. The iPhone Magnifier is now a built-in, multi-featured app and there are numerous magnifier apps for Android phones as well. So before you start spending — give your smartphone a serious try. Put it to the ultimate test…take it shopping

    Desktop Magnifier

    A desktop magnifier enlarging the text and image of a magazine.
    A desktop magnifier enlarging the text and image of a magazine.

    A video magnifier is a great investment if it helps to maintain or restore elements of daily function. Most desktop magnifiers are configured to accommodate not only reading, but also writing. Tasks that have become seemingly impossible, are once again doable. Completing forms, writing checks, seeing photos, reading package instructions, reviewing bills, sewing, crafts, seeing medication labels and more. Some models are also available with text to speech and will read text aloud. It is important to try these devices before you buy. Go to a low vision center or request a home demo. It is helpful to get an idea of the size, as a desktop magnifier can require the same amount of space as a desktop computer. 

    Remember there are no instant replacements for lost vision. New ways of seeing and doing things will take some adjusting. Even the smaller handheld magnifiers take some getting used to. Note the return policy for these items. If you use them every day within that period and don’t find they are beneficial — consider returning for a refund or a different item.

    To explore sizes, and prices search for “video magnifiers” on Google, Amazon, and eBay. Or, take a look at these assertive technology brands: Optelec, Enhanced Vision, Humanware.

    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.