Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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help for suddenly visually impaired friend (self.Blind)
submitted by toccobrator
Hi! A friend and coworker of mine has been struggling with his visual, he's in his 70s and has had retinal detachment (repaired), cataracts (repaired) and now optic nerve damage due to intraocular pressure. It's progressed to the point, today, where he really is unable to read his computer monitor enough to work. He's very depressed, and is at the doctor right now seeking help but I want to see if I can line up some resources for him too.
His vision isn't completely gone. He thinks maybe if he got a large monitor and had the right settings, he'd be able to read the screen well ennough to get around the internet and continue to work. He's just all alone out in San Francisco with no family nearby.
What resources are there? In my dream world, I could pay someone who's familiar with how to adapt to being near-blind and savvy with computers to go meet with him and help him. I feel the fear in his voice in my gut. Rationally I know this isn't the end of the world and that many, many people have dealt with this before. Right? Help me help him, reddit?
His vision isn't completely gone. He thinks maybe if he got a large monitor and had the right settings, he'd be able to read the screen well ennough to get around the internet and continue to work. He's just all alone out in San Francisco with no family nearby.
What resources are there? In my dream world, I could pay someone who's familiar with how to adapt to being near-blind and savvy with computers to go meet with him and help him. I feel the fear in his voice in my gut. Rationally I know this isn't the end of the world and that many, many people have dealt with this before. Right? Help me help him, reddit?
awesomesaucesaywhat 4 points 7y ago
San Francisco is ironically a good place for this to have happened. The lighthouse organization is there and I have heard nothing but good things about them. They should have a tech person that is able to help him with adjusting. They should also offer orientation and mobility training (walking around, cane skills) and counseling since it can be difficult adjusting.
http://lighthouse-sf.org/
Also, there have been some posts recently about helping friends adjust to vision loss, they have lots of good advice.
http://lighthouse-sf.org/
Also, there have been some posts recently about helping friends adjust to vision loss, they have lots of good advice.
toccobrator [OP] 1 points 7y ago
Thanks! Lighthouse sounds wonderful.
Marconius 3 points 7y ago
First informals to have him contact the lighthouse for the blind in San Francisco. They will have all the resources he will need as he begins transitioning into visual impairment. He should also contact the department of rehabilitation as they will be able to help get him assistive devices, training, and anything else that he will need for his work. They will teach them how to use screen readers, effectively allowing him to use his computer again, how do use smart phones for communication, orientation and mobility services so he can learn how to get around safely, independent living skills if necessary, and offer counseling for dealing with the vision loss.
I am in San Francisco and have been going through all of this myself for the past two years, and those resources have been absolutely life-saving for me.
Http://www.lighthouse-sf.org
http://www.dor.ca.gov/SanFrancisco/index.asp
I am in San Francisco and have been going through all of this myself for the past two years, and those resources have been absolutely life-saving for me.
Http://www.lighthouse-sf.org
http://www.dor.ca.gov/SanFrancisco/index.asp
toccobrator [OP] 1 points 7y ago
Thanks I'll hook him up with the Lighthouse and DoR. Good to know, this Lighthouse organization sounds wonderful.
-shacklebolt- 2 points 7y ago
In terms of immediately being able to use the computer again today, have him download (or download for him) the free trial of either zoomtext magnifier/reader or zoomtext fusion. It is much clearer and has more features than the built in windows magnifier. A big monitor helps, but is not required unless you need extremely large magnification. The trial is full featured for 45 days, which is enough time for him hopefully to try it out and get professional help determining what the best software and setup for him is going to be long term.
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