OE Patients

Tag: vision loss

  • 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.

  • Communicate Better with Your Doctor

    Communicate Better with Your Doctor

    A visit to your eye doctor can come and go in a blur. Discussing a loss of sight is a dreadful thought — however, avoiding it will not yield positive results either. Time with the ophthalmologist may be brief, so it is important to be prepared and engaged. Considering these steps, before every appointment, will help you be an informed patient.

    • If you do not understand something the doctor says, or the terminology used, feel free to say, “I don’t understand, please explain.” Don’t be afraid to speak up.
    • Summarize back what you heard, to clarify your understanding. “So you are telling me that age-related macular degeneration will make me blind?” The doctor responds, “No, I am saying that there will be some loss of your central vision, possibly to the level of legal blindness, but macular degeneration does not cause total blindness.”
    • Request written materials, or even pictures or videos that you can take time to understand and absorb at home.
    • Ask about best-case and worst-case scenarios, and what is the most-likely scenario for you?

     

    Image of ophthalmology office activity.
    • Write your questions and bring someone with you as an advocate, to read the questions on your behalf, and to take notes.
    • If treatment is available, understand the risks involved. “Can injections in the eye cause glaucoma?” 
    • Ask if there is someone you can talk to, who is living with the condition, or has received the treatment.
    • If treatment is not available, ask for alternative therapies or lifestyle changes that may help your longterm prognosis and quality of life. Don’t accept “nothing can be done” for an answer.
    • If you are told nothing can be done to improve your vision, ask your ophthalmologist for information and resources to help you live successfully with vision loss, including referral to a low vision specialist and vision rehabilitation services.

    It is crucial to be an Informed Patient when considering treatment or potential participation in a clinical trial. Clearly review, discuss and weigh the possible benefits against the risks. Consent forms are often many pages of medical and legal jargon — challenging for anyone to read, but especially hard with a visual impairment. Do not sign or agree to anything you have not read and understood completely.

     

  • Letter from the Editor 2020

    Letter from the Editor 2020

    Dorrie Rush, Chief Content Editor of OEPatients.org

    2020 Is A Year for Clarity

    We’re kicking off 2020, a number which, by my Google Assistants definition, also denotes vision of normal sharpness.  A wonderful thought, but for many of us normal vision is not likely to become reality any time soon.  There is, however, so much we can do to improve the lives we live with vision loss, and that is our mission, at OE Patients, for the foreseeable future.  The numbers of older Americans living with low vision will double in coming years, and according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), “most of the people impacted believe nothing can be done to improve their quality of life.” 

    Twenty years ago, I was a member of this misinformed population.  I distinctly recall posing the questions to the ophthalmologists as my vision loss progressed. “Is there somewhere I should go? Someone I should see? A class or course I can take to learn how I can continue living with severely impaired eyesight?”  The response was usually a variation on, “Nothing can be done.”  Although, it seems implausible two decades later, this may very well be the answer patients are still hearing today.

    Is it possible this error in communication comes down to a huge misunderstanding?  Physicians collectively and correctly view their role as healer.  When there is no treatment for the disease, no correction for the visual loss, they may feel the next stage is not in their jurisdiction.  Patients also conflate the declaration, “Nothing can be done (medically),” with “There is nothing YOU can do (either).”  Both physicians and patients take part in this mix up, and both can do their part to fix it.

    Many ophthalmologists today do take a moment to encourage patients to begin making adjustments from the earliest stages of vision loss and to recommend helpful resources.  They also refer to a low vision specialist who will evaluate the best ways a patient can maximize their remaining vision, utilize available low vision devices and adjust the vision settings on their personal technologies.  On the patients side, we certainly know many today, like our OE subscribers, are savvy self-advocates, actively engaged in the process of adjusting to, and living with vision loss. 

    In 2001, I joined the staff of Lighthouse International and began to understand the services offered by a vision rehabilitation agency.  I was advantaged by the full access to expert and professional resources and advice, from which I benefitted greatly.  An essential factor in my ongoing successful adjustment to progressing vision loss, was that I got an early start.  Most patients are not referred for vision rehab services until they are legally blind, which is the threshold for reimbursement.  Waiting to qualify for legal blindness, can also create an insurmountable set back. 

    In 2017, the Association for Macular Diseases and Ophthalmic Edge joined forces to launch OEPatients.org with the objective to elevate awareness by offering an added level of empowering information, not typically available in the physicians office.  Our digital magazine format has an option to “Listen” instead of read, at the top right menu on every page.  In the fall of 2019, we added the OE Patients Podcast (on OE, Apple and Spotify) to expand our content offering on Adjusting, Technology, Health and Voices of Experience. 

    Let’s work together to make 2020 a year for improved communication and focus on Living Better with Low Vision.  We’ll all benefit. Join Us!

     

  • Living Better With Low Vision

    Living Better With Low Vision

    It’s the beginning of 2020, a symbolic year and we hope it brings great things!  Let’s start out the year with an important reminder about the many ways you can promote better living with vision loss, for yourself, a family member or a friend.  It definitely takes some effort to adjust and continue living life productively, but it’s well worth the work, and it totally beats the alternative. 

    A recent statement by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) was eye opening to say the least.  They noted the number of older Americans with low vision will likely double in the coming years, and stated, “the tragedy isn’t that people have lost vision, it’s that most believe nothing can be done to improve their quality of life.”  The ill-informed belief that “nothing can be done” is a false narrative that we are working to correct.

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

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

    Adjusting

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

    Reading

    Reading options are a great way to begin your practice of adjusting.

    • Magnifiers can be a great benefit for reading and other tasks and are available in wide ranges of power and price. More
    • Switch to audiobooks with a free membership to National Library Service. More
    • Adjust the text and contrast on smartphones, tablets and computers.

    Voice Assistants

    Get to know Alexa, Google and Siri, the voice assistants whose popularity is growing at record speed.  They can do simple or complicated tasks, the choices are yours.

    • Get the time, weather, news and music.
    • Play a game, check a score or a stock price.
    • Turn on lights, lock doors, and set thermostats.
    • Listen to OE Patients Podcast: Siri, Google & Alexa

    Happy senior woman with smartphone sitting on bench at park.

    Smartphones

    Apple and Android phones go the distance with accessibility settings that cover the spectrum of vision loss.  And then there are endless apps that do even more.

    • Get help with iPhone, call Apple Accessibility: 877-204-3930
    • Get help with Android through Be My Eyes.

    Accessible Technology

    Accessibility support is available to help you set visual preferences on smartphones, tablets and computers.  So stop struggling with technology and make some adjustments.

    Utilize Contrast at Home

    Low Vision Rehab Services

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

    There’s lots more information on the pages of OEPatients.org.  Here’s to a happy, healthy and productive year!

     

  • The Frankness of Bruni

    The Frankness of Bruni

    Millions are affected by vision loss that cannot be corrected, yet it is quite rare that someone with a high profile is willing to openly share their experience.  In 1998, Henry Grunwald, the former managing editor of Time magazine and editor and chief of Time, Inc., published a memoir describing the ways age-related macular disease imposed on life as he knew it. The title, “Twilight: Losing Sight, Gaining Insight,” gave us the first clue, that Henry was, despite the challenges, working things out.

    Two decades later, in a somewhat similar fashion, Frank Bruni, New York Times journalist and author, is sharing his personal experience losing sight suddenly to a stroke of the eye.  From his first insightful column on the subject, titled “Am I Going Blind?,” we learn that Frank, like Henry, is acquiring a new outlook.  Frank Bruni speaks to us in a way that is compelling, whether you know vision loss intimately or not.  He is also writing a book about the life-changing experience, which will be published in 2022.

    A stroke of the eye is referred to by the acronym “NAION” for non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy which refers to loss of blood flow to the optic nerve (the connection between the eye and the brain).  This condition typically causes sudden vision loss in one eye, without any pain.  There is a 20% chance it will happen in the other eye, which you hope and pray is not the case.  There is currently no treatment to reverse the loss or restore the sight.

    It has been two years since Frank woke up one Saturday morning in October and discovered his vision had changed.  His good eye compensates for the eye that is impaired, but not completely.  Some might think it quite reasonable for a writer facing vision loss to give up on writing entirely, but that would be in many cases a serious misunderstanding.  The gifts we are given rise above vision loss, as a rule.  This is the lesson Grunwald and Bruni teach.  Frank explores how visually impaired and blind writers rise to the occasion in his column titled “Writing With Your Eyes Closed,” and you don’t have to be a writer to get the point.

    Frank has been a voice at The New York Times for over 25 years, talking politics, food, religion and now he’s added vision to the mix.  His recent podcast interview for Hadley Presents with Ricky Enger, brought us more information about his process of adjusting.  Nearly two years into his experience, Frank has arrived at some powerful conclusions that we can all benefit from.

    Image of Frank Bruni speaking at a podium.
    Image of Frank Bruni speaking at a podium.

    Perspective

    He now understands “how crucial perspective is.”  By looking around you may come to realize your own challenges are a “pittance compared to what most people deal with.”  He focuses on the many ways he is “lucky.”

    Adjusting

    He decides to prepare, just in case, by getting used to listening to audiobooks.  This is not always an easy or quick adjustment.  Frank rediscovers why he loves visual reading and switches his strategy back to reading print for as long as he possibly can.

    Writing

    The speed of his writing has slowed a bit from what was a very fast pace, and he must be diligent with the correction of typos, but he now understands writing is a gift that is actually not dependent on good eye sight.  He learned touch typing in high school and that is a very important skill to have, no need to look at the keys.

    Technology

    He has a great appreciation for the accessibility in today’s technology and gives a shout out to Apple for the accessibility features that cover the spectrum of vision loss.  He utilizes the changes to font sizes, light and brightness, remarking that 20 years ago this would not have been possible.

    Physicians

    Frank is surprised and dismayed by the lack of information or guidance he was offered by doctors about dealing with the inherent psychological and emotional impact of losing sight.  What he did hear from the doctors was, “So sorry, this is a rough blow, nothing we can do.”  He considers the omission a dereliction of duty, and is concerned for the patients who don’t have the ability or resources to figure out what to do next.

    Listen to the Hadley Presents podcast:
    NYT Columnist Frank Bruni on Vision Loss and Life in Perspective

     

     

    *Featured image source: Seattle Arts & Lectures*

  • Review: Google Maps Detailed Voice Guidance

    Review: Google Maps Detailed Voice Guidance

    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.”  

     

    GPS preview of google maps to P.F. Chang's

    GPS preview of google maps to P.F. Chang's

     

    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.

     

  • Making Excuses, Breaking Excuses

    Making Excuses, Breaking Excuses

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

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

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

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

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

     

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

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

     

    “I’m not good with technology.”

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

     

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

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

     

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

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

     

    “I don’t need a cane.”

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

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

     

  • OE Agrees With AAO Advice

    OE Agrees With AAO Advice

    With a nod to Healthy Aging Month, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) published a series of tips for living better with low vision.  They point out that the number of older Americans with low vision will likely double by 2050.  The leading causes of low vision, a visual impairment that cannot be corrected by lenses or medical treatment, are age-related macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma and inherited retinal diseases.  To add insult to injury, most people with declining vision believe that nothing can be done to help them.

    We are pleased to stand in agreement with AAO’s recommendations for maintaining a productive and independent life in the face of vision loss.  Subscribers to OEPatients.org are ahead of the curve and already aware and implementing the small changes that keep them actively engaged.  Let’s walk together through an overview of how their tips concur with our content.

     

    • Improve Contrast

    Utilize contrasting colors throughout the home to improve clarity in table settings, kitchen tools and surfaces, furnishings, door frames and steps. 

    OE:  Nate’s Low Vision Makeover

    OE:  Adjusting Your Home For Vision Loss

     

    • Prevent Falls, Improve Lighting

    Add lighting to hallways and staircases, task lighting in the kitchen and work places.

    OE:  Don’t Take The Fall, Prevent It

    OE:  Home Safety & Light Checkup

     

    • Reduce Clutter & Organize

    Essential to safety and sanity, keep things in their appropriate places and don’t be a collector.

    OE:  Low Vision Awareness: Time To Get Organized

    OE:  Spring Cleaning Gives More Than It Takes

     

    Headphone on a side stack of books.
    Headphone on a side stack of books.

    • Embrace Technology

    Audiobooks and voice assistants like Alexa & Google are enormously helpful and easy to adopt.

    OE:  Get Back The Joy Of Reading With NLS

    OE:  Alexa, Read My Book

    OE:  Event Recap: Siri, Google & Alexa

     

    Man using IrisVision technology.

    • See Ophthalmologist & Low Vision Specialist

    The doctors can help patients maximize remaining vision.

    OE:  Event Recap: Electronic Glasses

    OE:  Magnifiers Are A Must

    OE:  Be An Informed Patient

     

    • Vision Rehab

    Often this suggestion comes as a last resort for patients with advanced vision loss.  It usually requires legal blindness to qualify for vision rehabilitation services, but it is most effective when included early in the process.  Making incremental changes at every stage helps to dramatically ease the adjustment. Attempting to recover once the vision loss is severe, is far more difficult. 

    AAO:  Low Vision Rehabilitation Services

     

    Read the AAO News Release that inspired our post:

    More Older Americans Will Suffer From Low Vision,Here’s How to Make Life Easier and Safer

    Happy senior friends drinking tea at a table.

     

  • Event Recap: Siri, Google & Alexa

    Event Recap: Siri, Google & Alexa

    OE’s September Accessibility Session at MEETH was lively.  Attendance was excellent and our audience was actively engaged, even in the midst of a change of rooms, technical difficulties, and a fire alarm, thankfully false.  The podcast that would have been created from the recording of this event, did not work out exactly as originally planned, but that will be redone soon, in a quieter setting, and available for all to enjoy.

    The voice assistants, Siri, Google & Alexa, are powered by Artificial Intelligence, technology that mimics cognitive human function, such as learning, planning and problem solving.  It comes as no surprise that this technology is being adopted at a rapid rate by everyone, especially people with vision loss.  It makes life a little easier and a little more interesting. The voice interaction eliminates the stress of reading with low vision.  A myriad of tasks are there for the asking.  To get their attention just say, “Hey Siri,” “Okay Google,” or “Alexa.”

    We access our digital assistants on smart speakers, mobile devices and computers.  In fact, it is possible to call upon all 3 assistants from 1 iPhone.  Both Alexa and Google Assistant are available for iOS, however there is no Siri for Android.  You may be partial to one or another, and you may think your assistant is the smartest, or not.  While they are quite comparable in ability and intelligence, when put to the test, Google is numero uno, followed by Alexa, then Siri.  But they’d all be the first to tell you, they’re still learning.

    Although it feels as if we’ve known them forever, Siri, Alexa and Google were all introduced within this decade.  Siri was launched as an app in 2010, and acquired shortly after by Apple.  Amazon Echo & Alexa came to life in 2014, creating the first smart speaker for home.  Google got in the game in 2016 delivering Google Home & Google Assistant, serious competition to Amazon.  And Siri’s high end Home Pod just joined the group in 2018.

     

    What can they do?

    You can always just ask, Siri, Google or Alexa, “What can you do?” However, there are no complete answers because the list goes on and on and on.

    Keeping Time

    • What time is it?
    • Set an alarm for 6 am.
    • What time is it in Tokyo?
    • Set a timer for 10 minutes.
    • Set multiple times simultaneously with Google or Alexa.

    Checking Weather

    • What’s the weather going to be like?
    • Is it windy?
    • Is it raining?
    • What’s the humidity?
    • What will the weather be like in Paris tomorrow?

    Dictionary

    • How do you spell “ophthalmology?”
    • What is the definition of “integrity?” 
    • Is “user-friendly” hyphenated?

    Math Calculations

    • What is 500 divided by 8?
    • What is 177 times 12?
    • What does 5,679 minus 834 equal?

    Get the News

    • What’s the latest news on CNN?

    Radio

    • Play WNYC radio.

    Podcasts

    • Play The Daily from The New York Times.

    Stock Quotes

    • What is Apple trading at today?

    Music

    • Play Nora Jones.
    • Play the Beatles.
    • Play “My Way” by Frank Sinatra.
    • Play Beethoven.

    Sports Updates

    • Are the Yankee’s winning?
    • What’s the score for the NY Giants?
    • When does the NBA season begin?

    Shopping

    • Alexa reorder vacuum bags.
    • Hey Google, buy paper towels.

    And More…

    • Turn on the lights.
    • Play relaxations sounds.
    • Get an Uber.
    • Schedule calendar events.
    • How do you say “voice assistant in Italian?
    • Apple Pay $25 to Bert.
    • Apple Pay $20 to Dan.
    • Send a message to Jill.

     

    Do They Respect Your Privacy?

    The question is can these technologies be trusted to protect or respect your privacy?  The answer is probably not.  When you agree, and we all do, to their privacy policies, because you want to use their technology, you are basically agreeing to give them access to your personal information.  We’re not talking about your social security number, financial information, or the skeletons in your family closet; we’re talking about the questions you ask and the searches you request.  This is information that is recorded and may be used to market products to you or to improve the responses you receive.  It’s hard to say definitively how much they have on you.  The invasions of your privacy can be limited, and that responsibility falls on you.  So if this is concerning, read the policies you are agreeing to to and limit your exposure where possible.

    Apple’s privacy policy is the most customer centric, Google’s the least.  Basically, Google takes liberties with their policy, but they also provide privacy controls that give you choices about how they use your information.  We discovered, for example, you can delete your voice recording in the Alexa app, or simply say, “Alexa, delete everything I said today.”  It’s important to review your app settings and opt in or out as you deem appropriate.

    All the assistants have technical support available by phone, they can help you better understand the policies and get the settings updated.  Here are the phone numbers to call, followed by a few links to interesting policy references.

    • Alexa Technical Support: 877-375-9365
    • Apple Accessibility Support: 877-204-3930
    • Google Home Support: 855-971-9121

    You can finally delete (most of) your Amazon Echo transcripts. Here’s how

    Hi Alexa, How Do I Stop You From Listening In On Me?

    Apparently, Apple Was Listening To Some Siri Recordings — But It Has A New Privacy Policy

    Google Privacy Policy & Terms

     

  • Aira Adds A Free Tier

    Aira Adds A Free Tier

    The free tier of service described in this post ended in August 2020, for updated article on Aira services, go to Aira is Remote Visual Assistance.

    Independence is a prideful thing, asking for help is not always easy. Getting help, when you need it, is also a challenge. It can be a recurring conundrum for people with vision loss. In a move, that might nicely serve this need, Aira recently announced the addition of a new free tier of service. All calls to Aira agents under 5 minutes are free. Aira is a service that connects people with low vision or blindness to specially trained agents in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. You’re not bothering them, they want you to call, it’s what they do. They offer another pair of eyes, when you need them.

    The announcement came to me in a text message as I was preparing dinner a few weeks ago. It said, “Big Aira news: short calls with Aira agents are now free, every day. Great for quick 5 minute tasks around the house, try it now!” So I did. It just so happened, I was wondering if my oven temperature was set correctly, one of those tasks only a better eye than mine can determine. The agent answered immediately and greeted me by name. She asked that I move the phone camera slightly to the left, and then right, before confirming the settings were accurate. I’ve also called upon Aira for help in the supermarket to read product packaging and Use or Sell By dates. When I couldn’t find an address in an unfamiliar location, a quick call to an agent helped me get right to the door.

    Screenshot of Aira app home page.
    Screenshot of Aira app home page.

    The App

    Access to Aira’s free services requires an app. Create an account and sign in as a Guest. The app will tell you what Aira Access Location are in your vicinity. In Access Locations, which include Bank of America, Walgreens, AT&T, select airports (read Aira At The Airport) and transit systems, like all of Boston’s MBTA railroad, subway and bus stops, the service is paid for by the location and you enjoy guest access for free. If you already have an Aira account, you’re good to go, just make sure you have the latest version of the app.

    Optional Upgrade To A Monthly Plan

    For calls that require more than 5 minutes you can upgrade to a monthly plan, starting at $29 for 30 minutes, to $199 for 300 minutes. There are no contracts and plans can be increased as needed. Service can be upgraded in the app or with a free call to an agent. Paying members, called ‘Explorers,’ still get the first 5 minutes of every call free.  

    You may find great value in a plan that enables you to take a guided stroll through a museum, rediscover your neighborhood restaurants and shops, or get help navigating an airport that is not yet a free access location. The possibilities are endless.

    Smart Glasses

    The Aira service is not limited to smartphone users, it can also be accessed by Explorers using smart glasses. This is an option some smartphone users may also prefer, as it allows relatively hands free access. For more information on Aira with smart glasses speak to an agent or call 800-835-1934.

    Tell Aira Where You Want Guest Access

    To sponsor more free service and expand inclusivity, Aira needs to build their Guest Access Network. The most significant impact comes from businesses with many locations. If you know of a someone with interest in making Aira’s services available to their customers, send that information to: [email protected]. 

    Website: Aira.io

    Phone: 800-835-1934

  • Nate’s Low Vision Makeover

    Nate’s Low Vision Makeover

    Nate Berkus is looking at home design through the prism of low vision and we are delighted to receive his expert advice.  He knows color contrast and he knows lighting.  He knows how progressive vision loss can make it difficult to see the details in your own living space.  He understands this because his grandmother had macular degeneration.

    The celebrity interior designer and author, launched My Home In Sight to empower people living with wet AMD, in collaboration with Novartis and patient advocacy groups.  The program information is by no means limited to such a specific audience and offers benefit to a much broader scope of low vision patients.

    The program highlights 5 key principles that can help create a home environment that is not just easier on the eyes, but also safer and more comfortable.  Nate reminds us how important it is to love our home, and making it more accessible for vision loss does not require sacrificing style.

    “My Home In Sight kit” includes inspiring ideas for your home focused on:

    • Color & Contrast – Adding contrast in furniture, accents and objects improves the utility and function of every room. When it comes to color choice — go bold!
    • Safety – Using contrast to highlight the edge of steps will greatly improve visibility and safety. Contrasting door frames, dishes, mugs and drinking glasses make accidents less likely to happen.
    • Lighting – Throwing more light on the subject can totally improve how well you see everything.  Changing light bulbs and adding a gooseneck, lightens the atmosphere.
    • Organization – Get organized so you’ll reach for and find everything in its appropriate place.  Designate a convenient, easy access home for your keys, glasses and mobile devices, so they’ll always be exactly where you left them.
    • Low Vision Tools – Make the most of the tools you have at home including magnifiers, sticky notes, bright tapes and textures.

    It’s all about making adjustments and many of these suggestions have been offered on OE before, but even we must admit, there is something about Nate that makes these ideas irresistible!

  • Grandpa, You Can See That?

    Grandpa, You Can See That?

    There is a famous proverb I learned in drama class many years ago and thought it apropos for this article.  “Do not judge a man until you’ve walked two moons in his moccasins.”  I offer up this advice, with a tinge of humor, for family, friends, colleagues and caregivers.  Having contracted macular degeneration more than 50 years ago, I feel well qualified to share my insights.

    Grandkids, or maybe even spouses, leave shoes, toys, and other obstacles in the middle of the living room floor.  They know you have a visual impairment, but it’s their house too, and this is normal behavior.  There are other usual and obvious hazards created by loved ones all the time, unintentionally.  Cabinet doors, closet doors, and drawers left open are undetectable by my eyes until it’s too late, and a collision is the end game.  The Bible tells us, not to place stumbling blocks in the path of the blind.  Although this may be a metaphor for life’s travails, for me it’s a truism.

    The pointing finger really gets my goat.  I walk into a retail store wearing the standard blindness indicators, dark glasses and white cane.  I ask a sales associate for help locating an item.  The answer comes back, “It’s over there,” and I see, peripherally, the finger is pointing in a general direction.  To avoid repeating this experience, I learned it’s best to immediately go to the register and state directly, “Can you help me find something? I’m blind.”  This pronouncement is necessary because in many stores the training is not inclusive of the accouterments of vision loss, or how to accommodate customers who are visually impaired.

    My lovely wife is always exhorting me to use the motorized cart when we shop, because I have difficulty walking.  I constantly tell her, “Honey, I’m blind in my left eye, leaving me with no depth perception, and I’m afraid I’ll hit somebody.”

    Neighbors, not accustomed to living with a person who has low vision, can be unaware of the pitfalls.  Serving me water in a clear glass is a risky move, placing the glass on a mirrored coffee table top, totally treacherous.

    Sometimes, even the youngest child can surprise you.  It happened on a trip to the zoo with our 5 year old great-granddaughter.  We were enjoying ice cream cones and getting a little messy.  My wife asked where the ladies room was and I pointed to the restrooms behind her.  My little one exclaimed, “Grandpa, you can see that?”  I told her that I knew where it was because I had used the facilities before, but was charmed at her cognition of my condition.

    And a child shall lead the way.