Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
3
↓
Gift for friend going blind? (self.Blind)
submitted by wishfuldancer
My friend has a rare eye disease where she is losing her eyesight fast. Is there a tool that blind people use that I could get her now so she could learn to use it?
Any suggestions welcome.
Any suggestions welcome.
cupcake6740 6 points 5y ago
The other comments say iPhone, I agree 100%. iPhones help a lot more than androids do as it’s easier to get to different screens on accident with androids and the home button isn’t as noticeable. A helpful tool now would be something like a “free ride” card or something to lighten the mood (if they’re not offended by talking about it) just because when you go blind or visually impaired the first thing you think about it not being able to get around.
robingreenwood 3 points 5y ago
You can buy her an Echo Dot (2nd Generation).It is a hands-free, voice-controlled device that functions as an AI assistant. Through its built-in speaker or by connecting to your own speakers via Bluetooth or wired connection, Dot uses the Alexa Voice Service to play music, provide information, news, sports scores, weather, and more—instantly.
gomezjulia 1 points 5y ago
As they said before iphone could make a great gift in your case.
Also, there is this $1 people. It looks like it can read text from any surface and can recognize faces. I would definitely consider this as on option. Heard from a friend's friend that they are really one of the best $1. Simply, all it does is identifiy your surroundings with a tiny camera and whisper into your ear what is around.
Also, there is this $1 people. It looks like it can read text from any surface and can recognize faces. I would definitely consider this as on option. Heard from a friend's friend that they are really one of the best $1. Simply, all it does is identifiy your surroundings with a tiny camera and whisper into your ear what is around.
jage9 1 points 5y ago
Hard to know without knowing a bit more about their situation. I think it's easy to get into this trap of a gift a blind person would like, since most gifts (food, clothes, gift cards, etc.) anyone would like. The iPhone, Amazon Echo, and Google Home are good techie gifts for sure. I wonder if there are any blind stained glass artists. I feel like I've read about this before.
Amonwilde 1 points 5y ago
Since it popped up in another thread: http://enableneeds.com/2017/11/21/dot-braille-smartwatch/
jage9 1 points 5y ago
I really wanted to like this but have not been impressed at all with its function or design. Plus it wouldn't do much on its own anyway without the aforementioned iPhone.
Amonwilde 1 points 5y ago
The iPhone is sort of the omnitool for blind people right now. We don't really need talking spoons or whatever, we just use iPhone apps.
Might you share a little more about your friend? Young or old, unemployed or professinal, etc.
Might you share a little more about your friend? Young or old, unemployed or professinal, etc.
fastfinge 1 points 5y ago
> talking spoons
No! Don't give the first year design students any ideas! LOL :-)
No! Don't give the first year design students any ideas! LOL :-)
wishfuldancer [OP] 1 points 5y ago
What apps are most helpful to you?
fastfinge 1 points 5y ago
Seeing AI is free, and a total game changer. For reading longer documents (the mail, for example) I use KNFB Reader a lot. The other two apps I use most are Voice Dream Reader and Blindsquare.
wishfuldancer [OP] 1 points 5y ago
she's in her early 50s and is a stained glass and martial artist.
fastfinge 1 points 5y ago
Martial arts can be adapted. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about the process; paging /u/johnnytai
johnnytai 2 points 5y ago
Thanks for the mention lol.
As already mentioned, iphone is a must have, and if she trains, then transportation help will definitely be great.
Be My Eyes is IMO the best APP for the blind.
If she trains regularly and still will be, why not give her a year/month free membership as a gift?
Most martial arts don't have to be adapted at all. But if she was to run into issues regarding martial arts, here are a few links to keep handy that'll help:
https://m.facebook.com/Night-Strike-Self-Defense-292623577738421/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSt1LFEX12Q&feature=youtu.be
As already mentioned, iphone is a must have, and if she trains, then transportation help will definitely be great.
Be My Eyes is IMO the best APP for the blind.
If she trains regularly and still will be, why not give her a year/month free membership as a gift?
Most martial arts don't have to be adapted at all. But if she was to run into issues regarding martial arts, here are a few links to keep handy that'll help:
https://m.facebook.com/Night-Strike-Self-Defense-292623577738421/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSt1LFEX12Q&feature=youtu.be
KillerLag 1 points 5y ago
If she has an iPhone, it would be good for her to start learning it's accessibility features.
As for the tools, a white cane is useful, but isn't very appropriate as a gift. Also, it is preferable that an O&M instructor measure her out for a cane, because most people buy a cane that is too short.
What are her interests? There may be something that she is interested in but worried about not being able to continue it with vision loss, and we can make some suggestions regarding how to adapt it.
As for the tools, a white cane is useful, but isn't very appropriate as a gift. Also, it is preferable that an O&M instructor measure her out for a cane, because most people buy a cane that is too short.
What are her interests? There may be something that she is interested in but worried about not being able to continue it with vision loss, and we can make some suggestions regarding how to adapt it.
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.