OE Patients

Tag: Rush

  • Celebrate National Sunglasses Day

    Celebrate National Sunglasses Day

    If you have not already developed the habit of protecting your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun, today is the day to start practicing.  Learn to take the steps on a daily basis, that will preserve your precious sight.  This is extremely important, not just in the summer, but every day of the year.

    It’s National Sunglasses Day, a great excuse to buy yourself a fabulous new pair or get one for someone you love.  We encourage everyone to express their personal style and to be sure the glasses they select are qualified for the job.  The American Optometric Association recommends lenses that block out at least 99 percent of UVB and UVA rays and screen 75 to 90 percent of visible light.

    There is no shortage of options for shielding eyes during all outdoor activities.  Be certain your shades provide maximum protection, good coverage, fit well and look great.  Choose the lens type and color that best suits your needs.

    Sun is damaging to young and old eyes alike.  Light eyes are at greater risk because they contain less of the melanin that protects darker eyes.  All eyes are susceptible to damage over time, including the development of cataracts, macular degeneration and both ocular and skin cancers. Excessive exposure to sun rays can also burn the cornea.

    Protective lenses are a must for snow sports.  UV is more intense at higher altitudes and snow reflects about 80 percent of the suns rays, which is like getting hit twice.  The same goes for water and sand.

    Obviously, sunglasses are far more than a fashion accessory.  They should be worn even on cloudy days and in shaded areas.  A brimmed hat is another great way to further minimize exposure.  And please don’t forget sunscreen on uncovered skin.  It’s much smarter to be safe now, than sorry later.

    This isn’t our first reminder about protecting your eyes from the sun.  Here’s another post we shared on the subject:

    “Keep The Sun Out of Your Eyes”

     

    Group of people all wearing sunglasses
    Group of people wearing sunglasses outside.

    This article was originally posted on Jun 26, 2018 and resurfaced Jun 27, 2021.

  • Raising Accessibility Awareness 2021

    Raising Accessibility Awareness 2021

    Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), started in 2012 and is celebrated on the third Thursday of May. It’s great to have a big celebration once a year, but even better to elevate awareness every day.

    Accessibility is defined in its purest simplicity, as easy to deal with or get to. It is the state of things we all wish for. It is good for everyone. Although the word carries broad implications, today it largely pertains to technology, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is pushing it to new heights. If you live with vision loss, hearing loss, learning or mobility issues, accessibility can literally be the difference between yes and no.

    The purpose of GAAD is to get people talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion for all needs. Accessibility is advancing by leaps and bounds, however, awareness of it has not completely followed suit. So, go ahead, start talking it up. Learn something new about your mobile device, computer or smart tech and pass it along. Talk about it in general or in specific terms. Tell a friend, a co-worker or a neighbor and ask them to tell another.

    Feel free to get your awareness-raising started right here on OE Patients, where we love to talk about this topic.  Take a stroll through the Accessibility & Technology section or go directly to some of our favorite posts, on the topic, linked below.

    Your Smartphone is a Comprehensive Low Vision Device

    Accessibility Support Phone Lines

    Smart Speakers You Ask They Answer

    Elevating Accessibility Awareness Everyday

    Accessibility Bridges the Visual Divide

    Seeing AI is a Gift from Microsoft

    How Ai Compensates Vision Loss

    Are You A Dictator?

    The Freedom of Speech

    10 Things Siri Will Do if You Ask

    10 Things to Know About iPhone Accessibility

    5 Ways to Make Your Computer At Work Easier To Use

    In a short film celebrating GAAD, Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Microsoft’s Chief Accessibility Officer restates their commitment to creating a more inclusive world. She says, “Accessibility can be effortless, ubiquitous and empowering to everyone.”

    We agree. Watch the video here.

    This article was first published May 24, 2018 and update May 20, 2021.

  • The Freedom of Speech

    The Freedom of Speech

    Almost any degree of vision loss can make reading an arduous activity.  Small text, low contrast or fancy fonts and creative color schemes often add insults to injury.  As the difficulty progresses, we attempt to resolve the lacking legibility with magnifiers and more light.  It often becomes a juggling act, and still the reading is just not easy.

    We are hearing more and more about how people are utilizing the speech features in iPhone and Android.  There is far less resistance to using speech technology now, because it is no longer an all or nothing proposition.  Everyone can select just how much speech they need or desire, without having to deal with the significant learning curve a full function screen reader entails.  The lighter speech options fill in the gaps across the spectrum of vision loss and may be helpful in stepping up to the full screen reader, if and when it becomes necessary.

    So go ahead, take some pressure off, and start enjoying the freedom that speech can provide. While all the features are available on tablets too, it comes in particularly handy on a smartphone’s smaller screen.  And if for some reason you don’t care for the voice you hear, there are plenty of others to select from.

     

    Apple iOS (iPhone, iPad)

    To access speech features in Settings go to General > Accessibility > Speech.

           

    • Speak Selection – highlight text with the drag of a finger and the control buttons will appear, tap ‘Speak’ (or ask Siri to “Speak Selection”).
    • Speak Screen – swipe down from the top with 2 fingers to have the entire screen read to you.

     

    • Typing Feedback – hear letters, words, corrections and predictions when you cannot see the keyboard clearly.
    • VoiceOver – the full function screen reader, operated with its own set of gestures. This is involves a leaning curve.  More about this on OE: Let VoiceOver Do The Reading
    • Speaking Rate – adjust the speed to your preference.
    • Voices – if you don’t like the default voice, there are plenty of others to choose from.
    • Voice Control – allows you to use your voice to control your iOS device.
    • Voice Assistant – Siri is there for the asking, make a call, send a message, search the web and much more.


    Android OS

    Many similar speech features are included in Android devices and can be found in the Settings app under Accessibility. 

    • Select to Speak – for Android reads selected text or describes selected items.
    • TalkBack – is Google’s screen reader included on Android devices, (like VoiceOver) it provides spoken feedback enabling the use of device without seeing the screen. 
    • Voices – choose your preferred speech engine, speaking rate and pitch.
    • Voice Assistant –  Say “Hey Google,” and the Android smart assistant is at your service

    Speech for some is a natural transition, for others it takes some adjusting. For everyone with vision loss, it’s an excellent alternative.

     

    This article was originally published Aug 23, 2019 and updated May 17, 2021

     

  • Google’s Lookout 2.0

    Google’s Lookout 2.0

    Not very long ago, news about developing technologies for people visually impaired or blind was not widely reported, if reported at all.  It was also unusual for this kind of news to be attached to the biggest technology companies on the planet. All that has definitely changed! In 2018, Google announced an Android app in development called ‘Lookout,’ its purpose to help people with vision loss, identify objects around them and read text. The news was quickly shared by many news outlets, noteworthy because while Google has been involved in the creation of accessible Android applications for quite some time, they had not previously made big pronouncements about it.

    The accessibility app was first launched in 2019 and has recently been updated. Lookout is designed to deliver spoken notifications with minimal interaction.  So it does not create a juggling act for the user, it is recommended that the smartphone be carried in a shirt pocket or on a lanyard, camera facing out.

    Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), it utilizes camera vision to help people, who are visually impaired, get the information they need without having to ask others for help.  The enhanced access is delivered now in these 5 modes:

    • Explore – identifies objects in your environment
    • Shopping – reads barcodes and currency
    • Quick Read – for signs, labels and mail

    The newest features in 2.0 are:

    • Food labels – identification of packaged foods
    • Document scan – captures and reads full detail

    Lookout 2.0 is now available on Google Play for devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow or later with 2GB of RAM available.  This is a free app, it does not require an internet connection and uses machine learning to identify items of importance and keep delivering the information people are interested in. In addition to English, the app is now localized for French, German and Italian.

    Get more information about using Lookout and share your feedback by contacting the Google Disability Support Team online or on the BeMYEyes app.

    Lookout is not currently available for Apple iOS devices, but a similar app called Seeing AI is.

    This article was previously published Jul 26, 2019 and updated Mar 26, 2021.

  • Switching To iPhone? Here’s A Guide

    Switching To iPhone? Here’s A Guide

    We are often asked for guidance on buying an iPhone for the first time. The initial move from a feature or flip phone, or from an Android phone to an iPhone requires personalized setup, and a mix of patience and practice to adjust. The reason for switching, in this case, is the advanced accessibility iPhone offers for people with visual impairments or blindness.

    The real initial setup of an iPhone only has to happen once. Next time you upgrade your iPhone, the data, apps and settings will transfer from iCloud and fill the new phone with all your stuff. This way it’s totally familiar and there’s no need to start the whole process over again with each new model.

    People browsing in an Apple Store
    People browsing in an Apple Store.

    At The Apple Store: 

    What You Need to Know

    The Apple Store is the best place to buy the iPhone and get it set up. It is not always so easy to get your phone set up at a mobile retail store, especially when it involves accessibility. At the Apple Store, there is a process for “Personal Setup,” and they know this phone intimately.

    • iPhone model: Newer models are always best for the long term. The best model for you may be dependent on screen size. Try them in the store, ask your sales specialist to show you larger text and contrast settings to determine whether they enhance your ability to read.
    • iPhone storage size: The phones come in different storage sizes. For new users, the smallest, which is now 64GB, should suffice. If you are planning to access a large photo or music library, you may want to consider more space.
    • VoiceOver: For those of us unable to read the screen comfortably in any text or screen size, option 2 is learning to use VoiceOver, iPhone’s full-function screen reader. This does add to the learning curve, but totally worth the work!  More on this from OE: Let iPhone’s VoiceOver Do The Reading
    • Apple Care Plus: Consider Apple Care Plus for extended warranty and replacement. This can be a good thing to have, just in case.
    • Apple ID and iCloud: If you already have an Apple ID and iCloud account, be prepared to provide the username and password. If not, they will be created at setup. (To lessen any potential confusion, always best to make the Apple ID and iCloud accounts the same username & password.)
    • Email password: Your email address and password are also required to set the Mail app, don’t forget.

     

    At Personal Setup:

    What You Need To Do

    • Set larger text, bold text, display accommodations, increase contrast (as needed)
    • Transfer Contacts from previous phone (if possible)
    • Set A Passcode Lock and Face ID (or don’t, it’s easier without)
    • Set Auto-Lock for 5 minutes so the screen doesn’t keep locking as you are learning
    • Set up “Hey Siri”
    • Turn on Dictation
    • Set up your email
    • Make a few calls right away from the Apple Store so you know how to use the phone, then go right home and practice making calls, answering calls, ending calls
    • Turn on VoiceOver or Speak Screen (if needed)
    • Once the VO setting is turned on, VO can be turned on/off by asking Siri


    Learning:

    Here Are The Keys

    The key to success is repetition. So keep in mind, if you repeat an action 25 – 30 times, it gets committed to muscle memory, and then you just begin doing it automatically. This is not a matter of technical ability, it’s simply perseverance. Everyone, regardless of visual acuity, experiences the learning curve.

    For VoiceOver users, the curve is a bit steeper, but (take it from one who knows) the conquest is even sweeter! You’ll need to begin practicing the VoiceOver gestures that navigate the screen. Again, it’s all about practice, the more you touch the screen the better you become. For your reference, here’s the list of VoiceOver Gestures.

    Apple Accessibility Support Phone Line: (877-204-3930) is an invaluable learning tool. A dedicated line for customers with visual, hearing, motor and learning impairments, available 24/7. Not only will they answer your questions and resolve your issues, they will also provide tutorials on the use of apps. Don’t be shy, they want to hear from you. If you’re stuck…call them. If you want to learn something new…call them. There’s no limit.

    Get your learning started with these topics… 

    • Get familiar with Phone app: Recent calls, Contacts, Voice Mail
    • Use Siri to make a call by name or phone number
    • Learn to save phone numbers and emails to Contacts
    • Find the ways Siri can work best for you…here are 10 Things Siri Will Do If You Ask
    • Learn to send text messages
    • Learn to send, and reply to, email
    • Learn to use the Dictate key instead of typing… Are You A Dictator?

    Practice is a must – put in an hour a day getting comfortable.

    Once you’re phoning, emailing and texting with confidence, you’re ready to move on and master more apps of your choosing. The apps you use every day will become ingrained and after a while, you won’t even have to think about it.

     

    A virtual and comprehensive catalog of iPhone courses is available at HadleyHelps.org and it’s as good as one-to-one training. They offer live expert help and phone support too, all fee-free….Meet Hadley 2.0, Your Personal Tutor.

    This article was originally published Nov. 8, 2018, and updated Mar. 18, 2021.

    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.

  • Best of OE 2019

    Best of OE 2019

    As the pandemic continues, we can’t help but feel nostalgic for 2019, so let’s circle back for a look at OE’s top pages last year.  Here’s the list with links, for our most popular posts and podcasts.  If you’d prefer to have the text of pages read to you, just click the button marked “Listen” on the upper right menu.

     

    Fresh vegetables and fruits spread out on a gray table.

    The Anti-AMD Diet

    The foods we consume can play a powerful role in preventing or minimizing the progression of age-related macular degeneration.  Read Now

     

    Worker with hard hat falling onto concrete floor.
    Worker with hard hat falling onto concrete floor.

    Don’t Take The Fall, Prevent It

    Falling becomes significantly more dangerous as we age.  Alice Massa, OT, shares her expert advice aimed at elevating awareness and lowering our risk of taking the fall at all.  This page was so popular, we decided to record a podcast with the same title…linked with our podcasts below.  Read Now

     

    Three seniors using different technology in a living room.

    OE Agrees With AAO

    The American Academy of Ophthalmology says many more people will have low vision in the coming years and the tragedy is most are unaware of how to deal with it.  OE highlights the information everyone needs to know.  
    Read Now

     

    Alexa app screen showing a list of featured and new books.

    Alexa, Read My Book

    Alexa can read Kindle and Audible books from a Fire tablet or an Echo speaker.  Once it’s set up, all you have to do is ask.  Read Now

     

    View of the left side of a black car with Uber sticker.

    Your Driver Has Arrived

    Ride-sharing services are available with the tap of an app.  Here are some tips for customers with vision loss.
    Read Now

     

    Couple dancing together in a living room.

    Healthy Aging And Eyes

    Healthy aging is not just about how you look, it has everything to do with how you see.  Take these steps today to preserve your sight for tomorrow.  Read Now

     

    Hand taking a picture of supermarket bottles with a smartphone.

    Aira Adds A Free Tier

    If you’ve ever wished you could just borrow a good pair of eyes to help with a quick task, you’ll definitely want to read this post.  Read Now

     

    Hands holding present with Christmas gifts and ornaments around on a green background.
    Hands holding a present with more gifts and ornaments on a green background.

    Hottest Low Vision Gifts

    Our gift guide from last season remained a top page all year and the selection holds up beautifully. Read Now

    This year’s list is also not to be missed.  Read Now

     

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

    OE Patients Podcast

    There is no doubt about it, the big star of 2019 was the launch of our podcast.  Subscribe to OE Patients Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or listen on OE.

    Episode 1: Siri, Google & Alexa

    Episode 2: Don’t Take The Fall, Prevent It

    Episode 3: A Conversation With Hadley’s Douglas Walker

    Subscribe to our Monthly Roundup emails so you won’t miss a thing in 2020!  Sign Up Now

    This post was first published December 19, 2019 and resurfaced September 3, 2020. 

  • Improve Your Outlook

    Improve Your Outlook

    Optimism and positivity are inherited traits. Studies show they can also be learned behaviors. It is never too soon, or too late, to build the skills that help us bounce back from adversity. 

    Facing vision loss is a daunting proposition by any standard. Although we may feel discouraged and overwhelmed at times, getting trapped in negativity is detrimental to overall health and well-being.

    Possessing the ability to change the way we think, is a gift in itself. Choosing to exercise our mental muscle builds resilience and resolve. Working on a brighter perspective won’t improve your eyesight, but it will help you see better.

    Visual impairments range from minor to severe across a wide spectrum.  Even the great majority of people meeting the qualification for “legal blindness” have significant usable sight. People generally exhibit an amazing ability to adjust and carry on. A positive outlook and can-do spirit are qualities key to success.

    Here are a few steps toward a brighter perspective:

    • Acknowledge and value the vision you have. Take time each day to look around and appreciate the things you can see. Go for a walk in the park. Admire the ever-changing sky. Watch the sunrise or set.  Get close up to see the face of someone you love and give them a kiss.

    Image shows woman kissing face of smiling man

     

    • Live in the present, don’t waste precious time lamenting your vision past or future.
    • Give yourself credit for triumphs, even small ones. Every success builds confidence and buffers against depression.
    • Practice and repeat. The more you do, the better you get.
    • Use your experience to help others. Optimism is infectious.

     

    Tell us: what keeps your glass half full?

     

    This article was first published August 7, 2017 and refreshed August 20, 2020

  • Get Back The Joy Of Reading With NLS

    Get Back The Joy Of Reading With NLS

    Accessing audiobooks is a popular topic as we face limited options for entertainment during the pandemic. Two new podcasts on the subject are in production, and we’re refreshing OE’s best articles highlighting programs, services and technologies that promote listening to literature.

    Vision loss often takes the joy out of reading. Enlarging print can make reading possible — but not necessarily easy. This is particularly true for reading books.

    Transitioning from reading visually to listening is a worthwhile process — it can give you back the joy. Not everyone loves the first audiobook experience. It requires a new kind of focus. Initially, for some people, it can be like a sleeping pill.

    Stick with it. In the relatively short term, you will find it is every bit as good as the reading you thought was lost forever. Remember, reading a good book is not the act of seeing the words with your eyes  — it is really about getting immersed in the story, the characters, the subject matter.

    Don’t get caught up in the change. Get caught up in the content. If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again.

    An excellent way to get this process started is to sign up for the National Library Service Talking Books Program. Eligible borrowers receive audio books delivered postage free. A digital book player is provided, also free of charge.

    Audiobooks can be easily ordered with a phone call to your local network library. Books can be requested by title, by author, by subject, or by categories such as mystery, history, biography, etc.

    There is no due date for the return of your borrowed books and there is no fee for late returns. Listen to books at your own pace.  When finished, just flip the mailing label over and return the disk to the library.

    In addition to audiobooks, NLS also makes a selection of magazines and music available to borrowers.

    Visit NLS online or click here for application.

    Or you can call 888.NLS.READ (888.657.7323) and follow prompts to get an application or find the library in your area that administers the Talking Books Program.

    Reading disability must be certified by a doctor, nurse, optician, social worker, or a librarian on the application. It is not necessary to be legally blind to qualify. 

    Alternatively, Apple iPhone and iPad users, and Android phone and tablet users can download NLS digital content directly through the Bard Mobile App (available on the App Store and on Google Play). The app requires a second registration which will provide a password for logging on. For user guide and registration form, search online for “BARD Mobile Application.”

    Go ahead and enjoy a good read!

     

    Resources

    National Library Service

    888.657.7323

    Online: www.loc.gov/nls/

    Click here for application.

    This article was first published on OE, March 2, 2017 and refreshed July 17, 2020.

    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.

  • GoGo Grandparent Gets An Uber Without An App

    GoGo Grandparent Gets An Uber Without An App

    Uber and Lyft are technology companies operating new-age transportation networks on a global scale. Their names have become synonymous with dated terminology like taxi or cab. They deliver transportation to people where and when they need it. The entire process fully transacted on a  smartphone app.

    Naturally, this seems like a perfect fit for the transportation needs of older adults. But according to a study by PEW Research, less than 1% of Uber customers are 65 and older, while about 4 in 10 seniors are using smartphones.

    Justin Boogaard was living with his Grandma Betty, after college, when she gave him the idea for GoGo Grandparent. Betty noticed her grandson was taking a lot of Ubers wherever he needed to go. She recognized this could be a great way for her to get around as well and she wanted to get in on the action. One problem: Uber can only be summoned by app, and Betty didn’t have a smartphone.

    Image shows a grandmother happy and talking on the phone.
    Image shows a grandmother happy and talking on the phone.

    Necessity is, after all, the grandmother of invention. Justin set out to find Betty an easier way to get an Uber, and a startup was born. GoGo Grandparent takes the app out of the equation as it adds people back in. Less technology and more personal attention open up these transportation services to a significant demographic they would not have otherwise attracted. With GoGo Grandparent the transaction is conducted by phone, with customer service agents. They order the car, communicate with the driver, and monitor your trip.

    There is technically no age requirement, so you don’t actually have to be a Grandparent and you can schedule a ride from any phone you choose. The concierge fee for this service is $0.27 a minute, which means if the ride takes 15 minutes the fee added to your fare is $4.05.

    Uber and Lyft cars are notoriously difficult to locate, particularly if you are visually impaired. GoGo Grandparent can help by making the driver aware and by providing the customer with more detailed location information.

    Image shows a smiling grandfather talking on phone.
    Image shows a smiling grandfather talking on phone.

    GoGo Grandparent recently added a membership requirement and new services – here’s an update.

    Basic Membership

    The basic membership now carries a monthly fee of $9.99, enabling customers to order an Uber or Lyft from any phone, no app required. There is also a Concierge Fee, of $0.27 per minute, added to the fare and billed to your credit card by GoGo Grandparent. No cash is exchanged. Set up custom pick up locations, use voice commands for ordering, and set up family alerts to keep your loved ones in the loop.

    Gold Client Membership

    An upgrade to GoGo Gold Client is $30 a month and and it offers premium perks including:

    • Driver rings your doorbell, buzzer, or house phone
    • Driver accompanies you to the car
    • Gold Client calls are priority transferred to an operator
    • One cancellation free every month
    • Prescription pickup & delivery

    GoGo Gourmet & Grocery Deliveries

    Just in time for the COVID-19 pandemic, GoGo Grandparent expanded its app-free ordering to include food and groceries delivered to your door.  Restaurant orders are fulfilled by delivery services like DoorDash, GrubHub, Postmates and Uber Eats, with a Concierge Fee of $6.50 per order for Basic Members, $2 for Gold Clients. Groceries are fulfilled locally by Instacart, Walmart, Postmates and Shipt, with a Concierge Fee of $13 for Basic Members and $5 for Gold Clients.

    If this sounds interesting and you think you’d like to try it out, GoGo will also give you a 30-day free trial.

    Phone: 855.464.6872

    GoGoGrandparent.com

    Please note, 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 October 2, 2017 and updated on June 17, 2020.

  • Learning at Any Age with Vision Loss

    Learning at Any Age with Vision Loss

    In these changing times, embracing technology is essential. We’ve resurfaced this popular article to remind you how to adopt and adapt, successfully.

    The path of least resistance is rarely the best route anywhere. There are untold rewards awaiting right outside the comfort zone. This is true for everyone, particularly as we age, and especially as we adjust to a visual impairment or legal blindness.

    There is ample proof that physical fitness rewards us with multiple long-term benefits. Learning new skills is in fact, critical exercise for the brain. Just like weight training or cardio workouts, you will love how good it makes you feel.

    Learning something new is a process we each have many personal references for. It is similar to our earliest learning experiences: learning to ride a bicycle, to swim, to skate or to play an instrument. At first, the prospect seems daunting.  You are inexperienced, wobbly and unsure. But the more you do it, the better you get. At some point, after a fair amount of practice, it becomes ingrained in your muscle memory. You can now do it without really even thinking about it too much. It has become second nature.

    The way you approach learning can be applied to learning anything. For the purpose of adjusting to vision loss, let’s look at it as it pertains to technology. There is no good reason to give up the use of a computer, smartphone, or tablet because of a visual impairment. It means it’s time to learn a new way to use it, employing their built-in accessibility features.

    Many people succeed in learning new things, and many don’t. There are 5 necessary elements to getting the job done and they do not require an inherent skill or aptitude. That means, saying you are not good with technology, for example, is not a valid excuse.

     

    A woman with short hair talking and holding a tablet with lights in the background.
    A woman with short hair talking and holding a tablet with lights in the background.

     

    Here are the 5 key elements that converge in successful learners:

     

    Desire

    They possess a strong personal DESIRE to learn something specific. They are not doing it because someone else wants them to.

    Learning to use an iPad is very broad and feels overwhelming. Learning to use an iPad for email, or to read a book or a newspaper, is specific and manageable. It’s fine to have more than one specific, but it is best to learn one application at a time.

     

    Instruction

    They find tutorials or training. The options for instruction do not have to be structured or formal, they can be accessed by phone, online or in person.

    More advice on this in these articles on OE Patients:

    Savvy Seniors Tech Support Resources

    Accessibility Support Phone Lines You Should Know

    Let iPhone’s VoiceOver do the Reading

     

    Commitment

    They COMMIT to doing the work and get in for the longterm, determined to succeed.

     

    Practice, Practice, Practice

    They are willing to PRACTICE every day for 1-hour, minimum. No excuses. Repetition is pivotal to the process.

     

    Results

    They get RESULTS.  Successful results are the foundation for more of the same.

     

    That’s the simple but winning strategy. Do not forget you have an impressive portfolio of successful learning to draw from.

    This article was originally published April 28, 2018.

  • Episode 5: A Conversation with Ben Benson, Restaurateur

    Episode 5: A Conversation with Ben Benson, Restaurateur

    In this episode, restaurateur Ben Benson shares his experience building a successful business, all the while dealing with progressive vision loss. He takes us from the start of TGI Fridays, to Smith & Wollensky and Ben Benson’s Steakhouse. He speaks of the many adjustments he made throughout, and how his favorite technologies — iPhone, Siri and Alexa — help him compensate today.

     

    Full Playlist:

  • Episode 4: Must Know Info About Adjusting to Low Vision

    Episode 4: Must Know Info About Adjusting to Low Vision

    Too many patients with low vision believe “nothing can be done” to improve their quality of life. In this episode Dorrie Rush and Jaydan Mitchell are busting that myth with a review of just the basics everyone needs to know about living better with vision loss.

     

    Full Playlist: