OE Patients

Tag: visual impairment

  • Seeing AI Advances

    Seeing AI Advances

    Seeing AI Advances & Updates

    Since it’s initial launch in 2017,  the Seeing AI app from Microsoft is the gift that keeps giving to visually impaired people.  We embraced the intelligent camera for it’s ability to translate text, images, objects and environments into spoken words. Even as it inspired many competitors, Seeing AI has maintained it’s prominent position. As the software continued to improve, the app’s interface did not change much…until now.  

    The Seeing AI interface has been consolidated into 3 main tabs labeled: Read, Describe and More. The idea was to streamline what was previously a dedicated “channel” for each feature. The result does not seem simplified, at first, and it takes some getting used to. Here’s how the reshuffled tabs lay out.

    Seeing AI app icon on Google Play
    Seeing AI graphic image with app icon overlay. Image credit: Microsoft

    READ Tab

    The first tab combines three channels, from previous versions, for reading Short Text, Documents and Handwriting. Point the camera at any text, or handwritten words, and it will read instantly. Taking a picture of the text may improve accuracy and will allow you to ask for more information. 

    DESCRIBE Tab 

    In the second tab, take a photo of an environment and it will be described to you in detail, including recognition of objects and people. This feature offers option to have photos in your library described, and to ask for more information or explore image by touch.

    MORE Tab

    The third tab is home to all the remaining channels, seven in all, each standing on it’s own. 

    • PRODUCT – Reads barcodes and accessible QR codes. Audio guidance helps you find the code, then scans it. In the grocery store, for example, the code might 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 nearby. 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.
    • CURRENCY – Select the paper currency you wish to identify (choose from 17 currency options) and hold the camera over a single note to hear the value. 
    • WORLD — An experimental combination of artificial intelligence and augmented reality helps you navigate unfamiliar indoor spaces in 3D guided by spatial audio using headphones. Caution is advised and feedback is appreciated. 
    • FIND MY THINGS  — Teach Seeing AI to recognize the items you often find yourself searching for, like keys, wallet, AirPods, sunglasses, etc. Follow the prompts to take videos of the item and save it to your list. Once set up, the camera can scan the environment to help you locate the selected item through audible beeps that quicken as you get closer to it. 
    • COLOR – Point the camera at an item and it will identify the color.
    • LIGHT – For users with no light perception, this channel indicates intensity and direction of light through audible tone and pitch changes.

    The Seeing AI app is available for iOS on the App Store, and for Android on Google Play.

     Get quick help at the upper right corner on every channel.

    Feedback helps improve the app, so do share your thoughts through the app menu or by email to [email protected].

    Post originally published on Jan 19, 2018 and most recently updated Apr 16, 2025

  • Gia Pergolini is a Champion

    Gia Pergolini is a Champion

    Congratulations to Gia Pergolini for delivering the first Team USA gold medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Her first place finish, in the 100 meter backstroke, was her second consecutive gold medal in this event. In Tokyo 2021, she took gold and set the world record. In Paris, Gia also won silver in the 50 meter freestyle. More about Gia below, in video and in conversation.

    Gia Pergolini wins FIRST AMERICAN GOLD of Paris Paralympics | NBC Sports

    Read original post from NOV 18, 2021…

    Many rise to the challenge of vision loss, but very few break world records and earn gold medals to prove it. Gia Pergolini did, in the 100-meter backstroke, as a member of Team USA at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in August 2021. At seventeen, she certainly showed us how it’s done. Gia set her sights on gold and was prepared for it by a competitive swimming career that began at age five. Along the way she picked up two silver medals and broke four world records. A visual impairment would not deter this world-class athlete.

    Gia’s world record setting gold medal win in Tokyo and interview at Retina Society 2021

    I spoke with Gia one Saturday afternoon following her swim practice and was particularly interested to learn more about her point of view. Here are the questions I asked, followed by the answers, in her own words.

    How do you explain or describe your visual impairment to someone? 

    “I usually just say, in the simples words as possible, because I don’t know what good vision is. I explain, I can see, but it’s very, very blurry. I can see who is in front of me, but I can’t tell what eye color they have, or if they have makeup on, or not. I also say that I have blind spots in the middle of both my eyes and if I position my eye in a certain way, I can actually see the blind spots.”

    The visual impairment Gia describes is the result of Stargardt Disease, a macular degeneration, causing progressive central vision loss while leaving peripheral vision in tact. She was affected from a very young age.

    What are the technologies you use everyday? 

    “Obviously, I love my computer and my phone, I think those go hand in hand. Just the ‘zoom in’ features on my phone, especially nowadays a lot of my work for school is online, so my Mac and Apple phone can zoom in. The ‘zoom In’ feature on my iPhone has saved my life. I did not know that existed until my friend, Anastasia Pagonis, (and roommate at the Tokyo games) actually taught me this. And I use my Zoom Mag video magnifier, if I have to take tests or quizzes at school.” 

    You have benefited from the services of CVI,  Center for the Visually Impaired, in Georgia, how did they help?

    “They were super helpful. Not a lot of the teachers at my school were educated on this, they didn’t have a student like me. CVI reached out to them and explained what was going on and told them what they could do to help me in the classroom. They showed me new technology the would also help me in the classroom. They were just hugely helpful because they were there to help guide my parents through this weird and confusing time.”

    How do you find the accessibility of your schoolwork today?

    “It has improved a lot, CVI was so good that I found what worked for me and I just stuck with it. Now in the classroom I just need my video magnifier and the computer and I’m all good. I’m at a place where I’m comfortable in the classroom.”

    Vision loss is often misunderstood by people not experiencing it, what would you like them to know?

    “ I think they should just keep an open mind and listen. I feel that is the best advice you can give to someone who is not educated on something. Try to be in that person’s shoes, veer from stereotypes, because not everyone who is ‘blind’ has dark glasses and a cane, or uses a guide dog.” 

    What advice would you give about dealing with a visual impairment? 

    “I would say, there is always a way to work around things. It may not seem fair, but you can get so much out of it with positivity. Like my sport, I would not be where I’m at without my visual impairment. So just look at the bright side, and I know it might be tough, but if you need help find someone to talk with or find an organization that can help. There are many resources online”

    Gia Pergolini sets an empowering example for people of all ages. Find the things that work and practice to improve your ability. There is so much we can learn from, and teach, each other. Help elevate awareness, and educate others, to the fact that people are often visually impaired, even though it’s not visible. Most important, if you need help, get it.

    Thank you Gia!

  • Voting With Vision Loss

    Voting With Vision Loss

    November 5, 2024, Election Day in the USA, is approaching. Election laws and voting regulations vary by state, some have recently changed in significant ways, so it’s important to check current policy for early and absentee voting where you live. The best way to confirm your registration and mail-in deadlines is to call your local Board of Elections or go to Can I Vote and select your state.

    Voting with vision loss can certainly present challenges, but that should never preclude you from exercising your right. Democracy is a serious business and we’ve seen, in many elections now, how every vote matters. All eligible voters should participate in the process, no excuses.

    The way elections are managed from state to state may vary, but the basic rules of voting are the same across America. You must be registered to vote in every state, except North Dakota. Voters with visual impairments should know there are several ways to get the job done with relative ease.

    Vote Absentee Ballot

    Absentee ballots are available in all 50 states and can be requested in advance, online, or by phone at your local Board of Elections. For many people with vision loss, this is the preferred method because it can be accomplished in the privacy of your own home. The post office cannot guarantee the delivery of mailed ballots less than 2 weeks before the election, which means this process should be completed by the second week of October. Your ballot can be delivered by hand to the Board of Elections office or polling place during the early voting period or on Election Day.

    Voter placing her completed ballot in box

    Vote in Person with Assistance

    On Election Day or once the early voting phase begins, plan to join a friend or family member and get a little help casting your ballot. This is an option many visually impaired voters find easiest to accomplish. Your polling place will also offer in-person voting assistance. To ensure transparency, the assistance provided is bipartisan in nature. Your ballot will be marked as you wish, with the oversight of a designated Democrat on your left, and a designated Republican on your right. It’s actually a meaningful gesture for the country, a representation of how our political parties can work together for the common good.

    Accessible Voting Machines

    To vote in person, independently, ask for the accessible voting machine which enables your use of enlarged text, or an audible guide, to assist in marking your ballot. The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) requires one accessible ballot-marking device, and that a person trained in its use, be available in every polling location.

    Giving up your vote is never a good option.

    Go to vote.org online for help registering, checking your registration status, requesting a mail-in ballot, or learning more about your state’s voting options and requirements.

    Post originally published Sep 24, 2020, and most recently updated Aug 7, 2024

  • Beware Of Fake Eclipse Glasses

    Beware Of Fake Eclipse Glasses

    A total solar eclipse will happen on April 8th. It will travel a path that stretches through parts of Mexico, the United States and Canada. The planetary event is expected to attract many millions of eyes.  Watching without the protection of authentic eclipse glasses or filters, puts all eyes at risk of retinal damage.  

    The solar eclipse occurs as the moon passes in front of the sun, obscuring the light and casting a dark shadow on parts of earth. The darkening of the sun, is the phase called Totality, lasting only a few brief moments. At this point they say it is “safe” to take the glasses off for a “moment.” Just don’t forget to put them back on. Retinal damage happens without warning. The damage is known as solar retinopathy and there is no treatment. Doctors urge caution. The effects range from minor to severe. Sometimes the eyes recover, sometimes they don’t. 

    The rare opportunity creates a buying frenzy for special eclipse glasses. Tens of millions of eclipse glasses have been sold. The soaring demand for these special glasses brings out the counterfeiters, so it’s difficult to trust or verify product authenticity and safety. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends referring to the list of eclipse products that conform to standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and published by the American Astronomical Society (AAS). 

    We learn early on that it is very bad to look directly into the sun. Watching a solar eclipse is risky, even with “authentic” eclipse glasses, because you are compelled to stare at the sun. It can definitely damage your vision.  Experts agree, there is no completely safe way to view a solar eclipse. Why take the chance? Protecting your sight should always be your priority.

    Total Solar Eclipse phases.
    Total Solar Eclipse phases.

    You don’t have to give up seeing this amazing event entirely. It will surely be one of the day’s most photographed moments. Just wait for a few minutes until the images begin posting online, then go right ahead and stare.

    This article was originally published on Aug 15, 2017 and updated Mar 26, 2024.

  • Sight Tech Global All Inclusive

    Sight Tech Global All Inclusive

    It is a great pleasure to attend a world-wide conference dedicated to developments in accessible technologies for people who are visually impaired or blind. Quite possibly the most inclusive conference you’ll ever attend because it’s literally open to everyone. There is no registration fee, no travel expense, no airports or hotels to navigate. The venue is virtual, so you can attend whenever you wish, selectively and on-demand.

    The annual Sight Tech Global Conference is a production of the Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, founded and executive produced by Ned Desmond. The conference is beautifully accessible. Browse the 2023 Agenda and select the sessions of interest to you and click to watch. Right below the 2023 Agenda, you can even select past conference agendas starting with 2020, it’s all there, a complete reference. This year, it came as no surprise, Artificial Intelligence (AI) dominated the conversations. Speakers talked about how AI influenced and improved their products. They discussed the upsides and the downsides of AI, the magnificence and the maleficence. They shared their hopes and dreams and they marveled at how fast it is moving. How far it can go, no one really seems to know. 

    Here are some highlights from Sight Tech Global 2023:

    • Where will AI take accessibility? A conversation with Mike Shebanek – As the Head of Accessibility at META, Mike shares his unique perspective on inclusivity with an emphasis on universal design. Sounds like we can look forward to, accessibility out-of-the-box for, the META Quest 3 AV/VR headset and the Ray Ban META smart glasses.
    • Andrew Leland on his instant classic, “The Country of the Blind” – The interview, moderated by Daryl Adams, of intel, is more of a sweet conversation between two people with the common experience of progressively losing sight to retinitis pigmentosa. Andrew Leland describes the ambiguity many experience in adjusting when you are “too blind to be sighted and too sighted to be blind.”
    • Waymo in San Francisco: A lesson in public advocacy for AI – It’s wonderful to learn of the driverless taxi service now operating in San Francisco by Waymo, thanks to the advocacy and partnership of the local Lighthouse and NFB organizations. This might be coming to a city near you.
  • Accepting A Slower Speed

    Accepting A Slower Speed

    Adjusting to vision loss always means accepting that some things will be different, and that very likely includes the speed at which you get things done. It doesn’t mean you can’t, it just means you need to allow more time. Personal and professional skills and abilities are not less valuable at a slightly slower speed. If you make an amazing omelet, or write beautiful poetry, or negotiate incredible contracts…don’t let vision loss stop you.

    Giving up is never the best option. Learning a new way to do something independently, feels better than depending on others to do it.

    Be patient with yourself and consider these practical tips to help you keep it moving.

    Get Organized.

    Whether it’s a closet, kitchen, or bathroom — everything has its place. Being able to reach into a utensil drawer or a medicine cabinet and find what you’re looking for, because it’s exactly where it belongs, is priceless. Time to Get Organized.

    Leave Extra Time.

    It is no longer feasible to operate by the seat of your pants. Giving yourself a cushion in terms of time is the smart way to proceed.

    Manage Expectations.

    Don’t overestimate how much you can realistically get done in any given time period. Re-evaluate, prioritize, and acknowledge accomplishments. 

    Use Magnification.

    Make sure you have the right tools to magnify the text you encounter each day. Magnifiers Are A Must

    Listen.

    Consider transitioning some of your daily reading to listening. There are numerous ways to utilize audio for books, newspapers, and computers.

    Listen to this article with the ReadSpeaker button, located in the top-right corner of this page. VoiceOver Speaks to You.

    Automate.

    Set up online banking and eliminate the arduous monthly hell of writing check and balancing accounts on paper. Your balance updates automatically online and your bills are paid with the press of a button. No envelopes, no stamps, no snail mail. 6 ways To Make Bill Paying Easier.

    Practice.

    Learning something new requires practice. Don’t give up on anything until you’ve repeated it 20 times. By then you will have totally adjusted over to it. And, once you know it, you know it. Learning at Any Age with Vision Loss.

    Post originally published Nov 21, 2017 and updated Nov 9, 2023

  • Try a New Approach to Reading Restaurant Menus

    Try a New Approach to Reading Restaurant Menus

    Man reading restaurant menu options to his dinner companion

    Man reading restaurant menu options to his
    dinner companion

    One of the most frequently asked questions from people living with low vision is: How do you read the restaurant menu? There are many good options for accomplishing this task depending on the degree of visual impairment.

    This is all about making adjustments, and accepting that picking up a menu and reading it the way you once did, may not be something you can reenact. Keep in mind, the goal is to select food you will enjoy, not to read every dish on the menu. 

    Here are some of the ways we can successfully overcome the challenges of menu reading and return to savoring the culinary and social experience.

    • Flashlights & Magnifiers – It is not at all unusual to see people in dimly lit restaurants pull out their mobile phone flashlight and point it at the menu. The same goes for magnifiers, sometimes on the phone, sometimes on their own with the light built in. So no need to feel weird — everybody’s doing it.
    • Online Menu – Making a menu selection in advance will allow you to relax. Google search “menu” + the restaurant name to review choices. (With iPhone use Speak Screen or VoiceOver to read the menu aloud, on larger screens increase the text size.)
    • Ask – It is perfectly fine to ask a companion to read some sections from the menu to you, but try to ask for specific categories like, “What are the salads or soups?” Also, ask if there is a large print menu.
    • Specials – Asking the wait staff to read you the menu is not realistic, but do ask for the specials of the day or for their recommendations in specific categories.
    • Seeing AI – The popular iPhone app from Microsoft has Short Text and Document channels that can be useful for menu reading. A recent update to the Document channel (version 5.2) takes a picture of the menu and reads it back or allows you to ask questions like, “What are the seafood options?” Seeing AI Gets Upgrade
    • The QR Code Menu — When it’s available, use your mobile phone to scan the code and the menu is instantly available on your screen. Make it a talking menu using accessibility speech features like VoiceOver and Speak Screen in iOS, or TalkBack and Select to Speak in Android. Listen to the menu options privately with your ear buds.

    In essence, finding a new approach to reading menus will get you back to enjoying the food, the company, the conversation, and the atmosphere. It’s even okay to just say, “I’ll have what she’s having.”

    This article was originally published January 24, 2018 and last updated Oct 20, 2023.

  • The Benevolence Of Be My Eyes

    The Benevolence Of Be My Eyes

    Volunteerism is alive and well as demonstrated every day in the Be My Eyes app. The concept was conceived in 2012 by furniture craftsman Hans Jørgen Wiberg, who began losing his vision twenty-five years prior. It was his idea to provide access to sighted assistance for people with low vision or blindness. The app name leaves no doubt about its purpose. I recall being incredibly impressed in the early days of BME, when there were 150,000 volunteers, today there are over 6.4 million helping more than 480,000 people with vision loss. The fact that so many are interested in lending their eyes to a total stranger, is a testament to humanity.

    Built on the kind assistance of humans, the BME app is now testing a “Virtual Volunteer” powered by ChatGPT-4. If you want to be part of the beta testing process, there is a registration page on the app, but no guarantee you’ll get in, there is a waiting list. In a post on Mashable, one of the participating testers, Lucy Edwards, is reported to have used the conversational AI tool as tour guide, food blog, reader of restaurant menus and fashion catalogs, language translator and personal trainer. It will be very interesting to see how this develops, live human kindness vs. Ai chatbot. 

    For now the all-live volunteers are able to offer their service, at times that are convenient to them. BME creates an opportunity to give back in a sort of micro-lending kind of way, in small increments of time, free of rigid scheduling commitments. The visually impaired user is able to call for help whenever it is needed, without feeling they are imposing. The volunteers are logged in because they are ready and willing to help someone, possibly you.

    The app, available for iOS and Android, is designed with a fittingly friendly user interface. The two main options on the uncomplicated homepage are “Call a Volunteer” -or- “Get Trained Support”. Expert company representatives are available in the categories of: Assistive Technology, Beauty & Grooming, Blindness Organizations, Careers, Civic Engagement, Food & Beverage, Home & Cleaning, Personal Health or Technical Support. Participating companies include: Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Spotify, Pantene, Hadley, Lighthouse San Francisco, Accessible Pharmacy, Rite Aid and more. 

    The service is active in 150 countries and available in 185 languages. When you call a volunteer, BME sends out the request to the nearest available volunteers by location and language. There is no limit to the number of calls or time spent, however it is best to say, at the start of a call, if you expect the call to be lengthy. The app provides a rating system to register feedback about your experience, good or bad.

    Here are 100 Ways to Use BME. I have used the app for assistance reading a thermostat, setting the oven temperature, reading hand-written notes and product directions. All these encounters with BME volunteers were pleasant, constructive and successful. There is a “Community” tab at the bottom of every page worth exploring for inspiring stories from users and volunteers.

    And, by the way, all Be My Eyes Services are free.

    Blue and white Be My Eyes logo with white text on black background.

    Download the apps and learn more at BeMyEyes.com.

    Article originally published Oct 4, 2019 and updated Mar 30, 2023.

  • Protect Your Precious Eyes from Injury

    Protect Your Precious Eyes from Injury

    As spring kicks off, let’s be mindful about taking steps to prevent accidental injury to eyes. Accidents happen in an instant, but 90% can be avoided with the proper protective eyewear. It may also surprise you to learn that nearly half of eye injuries occur at home and are caused by household repairs, yard work, cleaning and cooking. Pay attention and don’t take risks. Protect yourself and those around you. Enhance your awareness and avoid a regrettable situation. If an injury occurs, get medical attention immediately.

    People with visual impairments are at risk in particular, because they may be unable to see objects coming at them. For this reason, the use of personal protective eyewear is highly recommended, during all activity indoors and out, to avoid accidental damage to an eye. Choose polycarbonate lenses for all glasses, they are shatterproof and offer 100% UV protection from the sun.

    Image shows clear multi-purpose protective eyewear
    Image shows clear multi-purpose protective eyewear

    Indoors

    • Wear protective glasses or goggles when using chemicals, cleaners, aerosols and sprays.
    • Everyday household items like Knives, forks, scissors, paper clips and wire hangers can accidentally cause injury. Handle with care.
    • When cooking food that splatters always wear protective eyewear and use a grease shield.
    • Attend to hazards that can cause falls. Secure rugs and eliminate clutter. Improve contrast and lighting. Be aware of sharp edges. More about this on the OE Patients Podcast Episode 2: Don’t Take the Fall, Prevent it
    Image shows kids wearing protective sports glasses and helmets
    Image shows kids wearing protective sports glasses
    and helmets

    Outdoors

    • Take precautions when outdoors on windy days by wearing wraparound sunglasses to shield your eyes from flying debris, dust and particles.
    • Protect eyes while gardening, mowing the lawn or using a leaf blower.
    • Do not give children sharp objects, or toys with projectiles or toy guns that fire.
    • Choose ASTM approved protective eyewear, not sunglasses, for sports, particularly sports with balls, bats, racquets, pucks or sticks.
    • Even opening champagne bottles can be hazardous to eyes and should be handled with caution. Point the bottle away from your face, and the faces of others. Do not shake the bottle and cover the cork with a towel so it doesn’t fly.
    Image shows pairs of wraparound dark sunglasses
    Image shows pairs of wraparound dark sunglasses

    Under the Sun

    Don’t overlook the damage UV rays will do to eyes. More about this on OE: Keep the Sun Out of Your Eyes and Put Sunglasses on Your Kids, the Benefits are Long Term to avoid the serious damage caused to eyes by UVA and UVB rays.

    Image shows brightly colored fireworks display
    Image shows brightly colored fireworks display

    Fireworks

    Stay away from do-it-yourself pyrotechnics — leave the fireworks to the professionals. Not even sparklers are a good idea, unless wearing protective goggles. The nation’s ophthalmologists issue advisories for July 4th in anticipation of increased fireworks related injury, especially to bystanders and children.

    Post first published Jun 30, 2022 and updated Mar 16, 2023.

  • Microsoft Says Goodbye to Soundscape

    Microsoft Says Goodbye to Soundscape

    As navigation apps go, for people with visual impairments, Soundscape was one of the few worth discussion. It enhanced awareness of our surroundings, like walking with a friend who describes the environment. So it is disappointing to share the news that Microsoft has discontinued its development. No longer available on the App Store or on Google Play, users with the app currently downloaded to a device will have it until the end of June 2023, at which time it will stop functioning. 

    The announcement from Microsoft says, in part, “The Soundscape code is now available as open-source software on GitHub at https://github.com/microsoft/soundscape, so that anyone can continue to build on, and find new ways to leverage, this novel feature set for the growing navigation opportunities in today’s world. As Microsoft Research continues to expand into new accessibility innovation areas, we hope the open-source software release of the Soundscape code supports the community in further developing confidence and utility of spatial audio navigation experiences.”

    We, too, hope the code helps in the development of new applications and that Microsoft Research will continue to expand into new accessibility innovation.

    Microsoft Soundscape 2018: A Review Of What It Can Do

    Microsoft is clearly on a mission to advance accessibility for people with vision loss, and that is a very good thing. The past six months have seen the launch of two significant new apps to iPhone users, both intent to give us the information we are unable to discern visually. 

    The first app, Seeing AI, has very quickly become a crowd favorite. It’s ability to instantly read short text (signs, addresses, labels, and packaging) is reason enough to use it. It also reads documents, product barcodes, currency, color, handwriting and more.

    The newest app in this collection is ‘Soundscape,’ a navigation tool, described as a “map delivered in 3D sound.” Not to be confused with the GPS app you’ve been waiting for, there is no turn by turn directions, no specific guidance from point A to point B. And, as we experience with all GPS, there is the issue of accuracy. Putting that aside, this app still has much to offer.

    Soundscape provides an enhanced awareness of what’s around you. It’s kind of like walking along with a friend who is pointing out stores, restaurants, structures, and intersections. The information comes in 3D stereo sound, information about what is on your left comes to you from the left, what’s on the right comes from the right, and what’s in front comes from the center. The audio is impressive.

    With progressing central vision loss, I have not been privy to the specifics of my surroundings for a while. There is something wondrous about knowing what’s around me in any given spot. You might think you would get used to the not knowing, but the curiosity never really subsides. Soundscape is a bit of a thirst quencher in this way.

    Like all technology, you need to work with this and find out what it can do. At first, I must admit to being frustrated by the free-floating information about what’s “around” without any clues for getting to it. Then I started to appreciate the narrative as I learned about places near and new to me. To get this type of information before, I would ask someone I’d be walking with to “Please tell me everything that’s on this street.” The Soundscape app basically does that, just not exactly. You must be aware and accepting, that there is a margin for error.

    The greatest benefit I derived from this app is the telling of street names, numbers, and intersections. Before Soundscape, my best method for figuring out what street I was on was to ask Siri, “Where am I?” That approach also not always accurate. Using ‘My Location’ lets me know what street I’m on and what intersection is coming up. I love that!

    Microsoft's Soundscape app main screen.
    Microsoft’s Soundscape app
    main screen.

    The Soundscape app has a cleanly designed interface with the following options:

    • Menu

    Select, or search and save, reference points.

    Manage Call Outs by selecting the information you want to be called out automatically like Places and Landmarks, Intersections, Destination Distance, Bluetooth Beacons Indoors and Location Updates. Here you will also find Help and Tutorials and Settings.

    • Set a Beacon

    Select a specific location and audio beacon will indicate when you are facing the direction of your selected location, it will not set a path or take you there.

    • Call Outs On/Off
    • My Location

    Gives you current location, direction facing, nearby roads and points of interest.

    • Around Me

    Tells you about one thing in each direction: ahead, to right, behind you, and to the left.

    • Ahead of Me

    Helps you discover what’s coming up ahead.

    Holding the phone flat in your hand with the top facing the direction you are heading will enable it to function like a compass.

    Soundscape and Seeing AI apps eat up battery power, so it is well advised to always carry a backup.

    It’s very safe to say this is just the beginning for Soundscape and Seeing AI. Microsoft will surely continue to develop and improve these technologies. Try this in your city. You’ll help the progress by sending feedback to [email protected].

    And don’t forget, you can always call the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for help at 800-936-5900.

    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.

    This post was originally published March 16th, 2018 and updated on February 20, 2023

  • In the Know About Low Vision

    In the Know About Low Vision

    The spectrum of vision runs on a scale from normal sight to low vision to blindness. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Low vision is vision loss that can’t be corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery. Low vision can include blind spots, poor night vision, and blurry sight. The most common causes are age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetes.” They further estimated the prevalence of low vision at “one in six adults over age 45” and “one in four adults over age 75.” The term “low vision” is not well known by the general population and is mostly utilized in clinical settings.

    The fact that vision loss is uncorrectable does not mean there is nothing we can do to mitigate the effects. To inspire that effort, and to recognize Low Vision Awareness Month, here is a collection of OE’s best content on the subject. It’s all about Making Adjustments.

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

    Nates 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. Read Now

    Savvy senior woman happily using smartphone.
    Savvy senior woman happily using a smartphone.

    Your Smartphone is a Comprehensive Low Vision Device

    Living with vision loss, like living in a pandemic, requires us to accept change and embrace technology. Digital access is no longer an option, it is a necessity. Every patient experiencing changes in vision should know there is a multitude of accessibility options, available in their smartphones (and tablets), designed to help compensate for low vision. Read Now

    Man wearing Eyedaptic glasses playing scrabble with granddaughter.
    Man wearing Eyedaptic glasses playing scrabble
    with granddaughter.

    What’s Up With Smart Glasses?

    Smart glasses are evolving, but still not quite the ubiquitous, mainstream, vision-enhancing devices we were expecting. Low vision users should evaluate the options carefully, for specific tasks or purposes, and always try before you buy. Read Now

    Hands reaching into well organized kitchen drawer
    Hands reaching into well organized kitchen drawer.

    10 Kitchen Tips For Low Vision Cooks

    Whether you feel cooking is a joy or a means to a meal, low vision necessitates some adjusting in the kitchen. Here are some tips to consider as you keep yourself and your loved ones nourished. Read Now 

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

    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. Listen Now

    Happy senior couple watching on a mobile smartphone and laughing together.
    Happy senior couple watching on a mobile smartphone and
    laughing together    .

    Living Better with Low Vision

    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. Read Now.

    Colorful clothing organized in a closet.
    Colorful clothing organized in a closet.

    Low Vision Awareness: Time to Get Organized

    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. Read Now

    Collections of golden boxes on dark background.
    Collections of golden boxes on dark background.

    The Hottest Low Vision Gifts 

    We’ve got the ultimate low vision gift guide. The curated selection you’ll be delighted to give or get, includes a wide range of price points. Some gifts don’t cost a thing, because the gift of empowerment is priceless! Read Now

    This collection was previously published Feb 16, 2021 and updated Feb 14, 2023.

  • Surprises Contained in the White Cane

    Surprises Contained in the White Cane

    Vision loss is an intrusion that we all deal with in our own way. Our ability to thrive is contingent upon a willingness to make large and small adjustments to compensate for diminishing eyesight. Knowing all that did not prevent me from heavily avoiding the white cane. But once I finally ended the resistance, it did not take long to discover what I had been missing. It turns out, I am not at all special in this respect; making peace with this mobility device is often a complicated personal process.

    What is it that holds us back? On Girl Gone Blind, Maria Johnson opens her post on the topic with this explanation, “If I use a cane… then the whole world will stare at me. I will look like a BLIND person! I’m only sorta kinda blind. I can see contrast and blurry objects, so I’ll be fine without it. I don’t want to hold a cane. It just stresses me out. White canes and ugly sunglasses are not for me. What if my friends see me with it? They will look and whisper… “OMG. Look at Maria! She must be really blind now… she needs to use one of those things, you know, a white cane!”

    I, too, did not want the world to see me as a blind person, because I don’t see myself that way. Blindness is generally understood as total darkness, but that is not accurate for 85% of people who are legally blind, according to the American Foundation for the Blind. It’s a conundrum, of poor public awareness caused by inaccurate terminology, and a correction is long overdue. Vision loss is a spectrum, and that deserves a better understanding.

    During the pandemic, my low vision got lower. The change was not subtle, more things disappeared in my broken visual field, objects appeared more pixelated, the haziness got denser. I hoped maybe the change was temporary, but I knew that was unlikely and unrealistic. Two retinal exams provided no explanation for the decrease in sight. I began adjusting, again, and took a few falls in the process. It was time for a cane.

    A fair amount of procrastination preceded a call to purchase a cane from Ambutech. The sales representative, Laura, was thoughtful and thorough; there was much more to know about a mobility cane than I expected. She patiently explained the cane types, lengths, tips, and handles. Do I want aluminum, graphite or fiberglass? She informed me that all white canes are reserved for people who are totally blind, and canes with red at the bottom indicate the user has some sight. Who knew? I ordered a long white graphic cane with a marshmallow tip, red bottom with a black handle. And somehow I got it just right.

    It was 10 days before the package arrived and another week before I opened the box. On that morning I took it for a walk on the Bronx River Bike Path, or I should say, it took me. For the first half mile, or so, I fought with the cane. Until my partner, Neil, took the cane out of my hand and showed me what I might do to get along better with it. His experience with the mobility cane was purely observational, but in that moment his guidance was immensely helpful. That was the turning point, it all began to click.

    Dorrie on the Bronx River Path, walking
    with mobility cane, in the midst of fall foliage

    I was amazed at how much better I felt walking along the path’s bumps and dips, just knowing what was ahead of me and underfoot. My acquired fear of tripping or falling largely abated as the sweeping arc of my cane proceeded. Bikes slowed down when they saw the cane, and everyone called out a greeting. The cane informed me when there was a curb, a curb cut, or a rocky stretch of pavement. On the way back through city streets, I discovered how it solved my problems walking up, and especially down, steps. It still feels gleeful to gracefully navigate a flight of stairs. I felt good again, walking everywhere with the cane; it gave me a renewed sense of security and restored my confidence.

    From that day, to my great surprise, the cane sits at my front door and goes out whenever I do. Traveling in and out of New York City with the cane is comfortable again and also filled with surprises. Perhaps the most unexpected was how sweet I found the kindness of strangers. As I exited Grand Central Terminal and walked up Lexington Avenue, I discovered a lovely and quiet benevolence on the bustling streets, thanks to the white cane.

    Dorrie Rush discusses The Not-So-Straight Line to the White Cane with Hadley Presents host Ricky Enger…Listen Here.