Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Suggestions on Organization Tips for Newly Blind/VI? (self.Blind)
submitted by mosfette
TL;DR: What are some organizational strategies or general life tips that you think would be helpful to someone who is adjusting to rapidly declining vision?
Background: I volunteer through an organization that pairs sighted volunteers with blind/visually impaired folks to assist with a variety of tasks. In the past, I've only ever been matched with people who had been living with their current level of vision for a while, and who had very specific and defined requests (for example: driving to the grocery shore, checking money to make sure bills are folded the right way, paying bills, reading expiration dates on food labels).
I was just matched with someone new whose vision began declining rapidly about a year ago, and who is now legally blind. Because this is a recent change for her, she's not sure what she needs/wants yet for the time we have together each week. I was hoping some of you might have some suggestions for someone who has only recently made this transition.
Thank you!
Background: I volunteer through an organization that pairs sighted volunteers with blind/visually impaired folks to assist with a variety of tasks. In the past, I've only ever been matched with people who had been living with their current level of vision for a while, and who had very specific and defined requests (for example: driving to the grocery shore, checking money to make sure bills are folded the right way, paying bills, reading expiration dates on food labels).
I was just matched with someone new whose vision began declining rapidly about a year ago, and who is now legally blind. Because this is a recent change for her, she's not sure what she needs/wants yet for the time we have together each week. I was hoping some of you might have some suggestions for someone who has only recently made this transition.
Thank you!
B-dub31 3 points 6y ago
I've lost a great deal of my sight over the past year, and it accelerated in March. It's been a huge adjustment. One thing I have done is trying to make the things I the use very contrasting colors. I put a bright orange case on my iPhone, a stark white case on my iPad, and got my other stuff (pocket knife, sunglasses, etc.) in high contrast colors as well. It helps me find my items when I lay them down (trying to remember to put phone and iPad case side up) on a dark surface where they blend in. Things like bump dots on certain buttons on appliances help too. If she hasn't accessed it yet, the Library of Congress works through state libraries to offer audiobooks to visually impaired individuals free of charge.
mosfette [OP] 1 points 6y ago
Thank you!
Amonwilde 1 points 6y ago
Does she use a screen reader yet? Does she have mobility problems? Is she employed? What age? Give a few details and we can give you some advice on productive use of your time. And thanks for volunteering!
mosfette [OP] 1 points 6y ago
She's in her 80s, retired and isn't very comfortable with technology. Occasionally uses a cane for balance, but is generally in really good physical shape.
She just got an Aladdin CRT and has been trying to use that for things like checking her bank statements but can only read on it when words and numbers are so far zoomed in that they lose context. It seems like managing paperwork is the most frustrating thing for her right now. She's used to being very self sufficient, so while it's helpful for her to have me balance her checkbook, I think she'd prefer it if I could help set up a system where she can handle most of it herself.
She just got an Aladdin CRT and has been trying to use that for things like checking her bank statements but can only read on it when words and numbers are so far zoomed in that they lose context. It seems like managing paperwork is the most frustrating thing for her right now. She's used to being very self sufficient, so while it's helpful for her to have me balance her checkbook, I think she'd prefer it if I could help set up a system where she can handle most of it herself.
Amonwilde 3 points 6y ago
The options usually for reading are a CCTV (or equivalent), magnification on a computer, or a screen reader. The second two would require setting up a scanner, which might be a little fiddly for her, but depending on her abilities perhaps you could do the scanning and she could do her paperwork on the computer. Otherwise you may have to double down on the CCTV.
If she's worried about paying bills or similar, you could look into having them automated. Then she would only have to worry about them rarely. Most traditional paperwork these days can be automated, even balancing the checkbook is pretty anachronistic.
If she's worried about paying bills or similar, you could look into having them automated. Then she would only have to worry about them rarely. Most traditional paperwork these days can be automated, even balancing the checkbook is pretty anachronistic.
mosfette [OP] 1 points 6y ago
Thank you!
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