Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Life hacks & Tools to assist Sister’s life fully blind? (self.Blind)
submitted by BadgersDen
My sister has been completely blind from birth and although there’s the obvious voice assist on iPhone, Braille, walking cane etc. She has recently got an amazon echo and even though she’s still adapting, it’s great To see the potential it has to increase her life and well being from entertainment to daily tasks...(much much easier) so, it’s inspired me to reach out to see what other things do you use/should I consider that are maybe life hacks or assisted tools/gadgets to help her life!?
Much appreciated.
Much appreciated.
vwlsmssng 13 points 5y ago
A tandem bicycle.
The wind in her face, the smells and heat and cold of the town and countryside, the rhythm and bounce of the machine, being able to pedal hard and fast to the top if the hill then swoop down the other side, the café at the destination, no entanglements with roots or rocks or branches or utility poles, the people you meet while outside.
Footnote: also requires a sighted front rider who will act as a guide when the back rider is off the tandem. Side effects may include improvements in physical and mental health; vitamin D levels may increase.
The wind in her face, the smells and heat and cold of the town and countryside, the rhythm and bounce of the machine, being able to pedal hard and fast to the top if the hill then swoop down the other side, the café at the destination, no entanglements with roots or rocks or branches or utility poles, the people you meet while outside.
Footnote: also requires a sighted front rider who will act as a guide when the back rider is off the tandem. Side effects may include improvements in physical and mental health; vitamin D levels may increase.
softawre 2 points 5y ago
My 30yo brother is newly blind, I am a bit terrified of doing this, but excited at the same time that it works for you. Any bad experiences?
vwlsmssng 1 points 5y ago
We've been rain-soaked like rats enough times, had punctures while in midst of the gloomy Scottish highland forests, cycled till our whole bodies ached to catch a ferry in Northern France, bundled multiple tandems onto trains in the Netherlands as the guard chases us for delaying departure, dragged the tandem up over moorland tracks to avoid the much longer route by metalled road, one minor spill as I foolishly tried to negotiate a cycle path gate without dismounting and walking it through, I had to buy a steak dinner in a Lake District pub when someone got cold and miserable in the rain.
Experiences: plenty. Some may have seemed bad at the time but the memories are of great times together.
Not all people make for good tandem pairs, but if you can both be cooperative and considerate to each others needs then it can work out much better than being on two solo bikes.
We started by hiring a tandem, then we borrowed one of someone for another ride out before testing different models at a specialist tandem dealer.
Experiences: plenty. Some may have seemed bad at the time but the memories are of great times together.
Not all people make for good tandem pairs, but if you can both be cooperative and considerate to each others needs then it can work out much better than being on two solo bikes.
We started by hiring a tandem, then we borrowed one of someone for another ride out before testing different models at a specialist tandem dealer.
deathstick_org 7 points 5y ago
I use an app called pocket, you share links to it and it stripps out all the formatting and just leaves the plain text so it makes articles and blogs easy to read.
zoogly 1 points 5y ago
Couldn’t find this app for iPhone. Do you have a link?
cS47f496tmQHavSR 2 points 5y ago
zoogly 1 points 5y ago
Thank you.
zoogly 1 points 5y ago
Thanks you.
KillerLag 3 points 5y ago
May we ask, how old is she? And are there any particular issues she is currently having? If she's old enough to do her own research (or ask her friends), and she may already have workarounds for most of the common problems. If there is a specific thing she has trouble doing, we may be able to make suggestions for those specific points.
bradley22 2 points 5y ago
If she can get it; I'd really recommend Seeing AI. It's an amazing app for the IPhone.
I assume by voice assist you mean VoiceOver, the screen reader built into every IPhone?
The Seeing AI app is completely free and has a couple of amazing modes that I use.
Short text mode for getting short pieces of text off of anything. If a human being can see it, chances are the Seeing AI short text mode will be able to see it too. It's not perfect but it's very close.
Light detection mode. I'm not sure if she can see lights and shadows like myself but if she can't, this will be great if she doesn't know if the light is on or offf.
the phone will make a tone that raises in pitch the more the light is shown to it. So the more the camra sees the light,, the higher the pitch.
The currency mode is great if you are living in the US and don't have different sized bills. Put the phone above the note or coin and Seeing AI will read it out to you.
I hope this helps and if you have more questions feel free to message me or write on here.
I assume by voice assist you mean VoiceOver, the screen reader built into every IPhone?
The Seeing AI app is completely free and has a couple of amazing modes that I use.
Short text mode for getting short pieces of text off of anything. If a human being can see it, chances are the Seeing AI short text mode will be able to see it too. It's not perfect but it's very close.
Light detection mode. I'm not sure if she can see lights and shadows like myself but if she can't, this will be great if she doesn't know if the light is on or offf.
the phone will make a tone that raises in pitch the more the light is shown to it. So the more the camra sees the light,, the higher the pitch.
The currency mode is great if you are living in the US and don't have different sized bills. Put the phone above the note or coin and Seeing AI will read it out to you.
I hope this helps and if you have more questions feel free to message me or write on here.
blindjo 1 points 5y ago
Ooh! Minor life hack- shampoo and conditioner bottles same shape? Just find out which one is which and then rubberband one of them so there'll be a tactile difference :)
zoogly 1 points 5y ago
Tap tap see is an app that identifies objects. There are $ bill identifying apps and color apps. Text grabber is another one for taking photos of text and reading. I also believe there is an app that contacts a live volunteer to identify objects via camera (forgot the name).
Edit. Learning ally
Edit. Learning ally
BadgersDen [OP] 1 points 5y ago
Just downloaded taptapsee for her and I think it could be a definite improvement! Thanks for the suggestion, the wait times are a bit long but the technology is impress none the less.
zoogly 1 points 5y ago
Glad to help. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you or your sister with.
LUCKY12910 0 points 5y ago
Some people will make comments like you don't look blind it has happened to me just forget them. Also have them meet blind people there same age its cool meeting people that are just like you.
BadgersDen [OP] 1 points 5y ago
I’m sorry I don’t understand your comment I regards to the question?
LUCKY12910 1 points 5y ago
Yes I am just saying people will try to give her a hard time because she's blind she needs to just forget what people say.
BadgersDen [OP] 1 points 5y ago
Ohhh I get you. Thanks I guess? She’s been blind her whole life so wouldn’t know anything different, most are quite understanding and sympathetic. Can’t say I’ve noticed anyone ‘give her hard time’ is that common in the US?
LUCKY12910 1 points 5y ago
Yes some people get told you don't look blind. Specially blind people that are out doing things Just look up on Google You don't look blind.
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