Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
9
↓
My 91 year old computer literate aunt is losing her sight and becoming super sad and frustrated online. Aside from Dragon naturally speaking or Alexa, what else could I buy her to help? (self.Blind)
submitted by friendlymarmite
She’s tech savvy enough to use emails, google etc, but hasn’t had much luck with dragon naturally speaking (I live in another county and I suspect she’s having trouble doing the tutorials to make it understand her better).
What else can I help set her up with to give her continued access to emailing and googling?
What else can I help set her up with to give her continued access to emailing and googling?
-shacklebolt- 4 points 5y ago
If she's physically able to type and remember where the keys are, it's unlikely she needs or would significantly benefit from dictation software.
The primary ways blind or low vision people use a computer is through large text, magnification, or a screen reader. Zoomtext is the best magnficiation software in my opinion, and if you buy zoomtext reader or zoomtext fusion it can read things out loud as well.
Zoomtext also has a 60 day trial period, so she (or someone else) can download it and see if it works for her first. Windows and Mac computers also have free magnifiers, but they aren't as clear.
NVDA is a free screen reader (and macs have voiceover) but it has more of a learning curve than zoomtext.
If she can get a low vision evaluation they might be able to determine what tools would best benefit her for this purpose.
An Echo or similar device is also great because there's very little to learn to get started too. I know a few older blind people who use it to listen to music, read the news, listen to audiobooks, or listen to ebooks with text to speech.
If she has an iphone or ipad it's pretty easy to get started using speech on them too. Look up "voiceover."
The primary ways blind or low vision people use a computer is through large text, magnification, or a screen reader. Zoomtext is the best magnficiation software in my opinion, and if you buy zoomtext reader or zoomtext fusion it can read things out loud as well.
Zoomtext also has a 60 day trial period, so she (or someone else) can download it and see if it works for her first. Windows and Mac computers also have free magnifiers, but they aren't as clear.
NVDA is a free screen reader (and macs have voiceover) but it has more of a learning curve than zoomtext.
If she can get a low vision evaluation they might be able to determine what tools would best benefit her for this purpose.
An Echo or similar device is also great because there's very little to learn to get started too. I know a few older blind people who use it to listen to music, read the news, listen to audiobooks, or listen to ebooks with text to speech.
If she has an iphone or ipad it's pretty easy to get started using speech on them too. Look up "voiceover."
friendlymarmite [OP] 3 points 5y ago
Thanks!
She’s on pc sadly, which is part of why I’m lost, I only really know Apple.
She’s nearing legally blind I’d guess, and the nhs (she’s uk) isn’t that great with this kind of help from what I understand.
I’ll look up and try and teach her zoom text, but she doesn’t touch type so the big thing is that she’s losing the ability to type and get it right.
She’s on pc sadly, which is part of why I’m lost, I only really know Apple.
She’s nearing legally blind I’d guess, and the nhs (she’s uk) isn’t that great with this kind of help from what I understand.
I’ll look up and try and teach her zoom text, but she doesn’t touch type so the big thing is that she’s losing the ability to type and get it right.
-shacklebolt- 3 points 5y ago
Check out http://www.rnib.org.uk/ if she hasn't already as they have loads of resources.
For the typing issue, something as simple as a large print keyboard might work especially if she's just into the legally blind zone. http://shop.rnib.org.uk/accessible-technology/electronics/computer-accessories.html
For the typing issue, something as simple as a large print keyboard might work especially if she's just into the legally blind zone. http://shop.rnib.org.uk/accessible-technology/electronics/computer-accessories.html
PolariChat 1 points 5y ago
Hi I am in the UK and registered blind. The best place as people have already said is the RNIB helpline who can then point her in the right direction for local services. Each Health Authority has a different system. There are specialist teams in the UK that can do home visits to assess your needs and show you how to work all your gadgets and computers. There are a bunch of services here that are really good once you contact them. They all accept self referrals. You do not need to be on the register as blind or partially sighted to access the services. If you need any more information send me a message. Once your linked into services it's great, it's finding them is the trick. Good luck.
friendlymarmite [OP] 1 points 5y ago
Thanks so much! That’s very much my next port of call for her, seems like it wouldn’t be too hard for me to navigate from overseas either and that’s most of the battle.
vwlsmssng 1 points 5y ago
Think about the day to day activities that could be frustrated by loss of sight and aim to maintain them. E.g. dressing, cooking, cleaning, shopping, correspondence, socialising.
Also at 91 dealing with bureaucracy is a challenge in itself without the added burden of failing site. Making phone calls and filling in forms would be great help.
You could help make sure that she is connected to all the right organisations that will provide help.
/u/shacklebolt said check out the RNIB website, it is a fantastic resource, but I would go further and give them a call.
RNIB Helpline 0303 123 9999
I think it is the local authority (LS) / social services who have some responsibility, e.g. supplying mobility aids like white canes. Your aunt will need to be registered with the LA as blind for this ($1).
Being registered blind will entitle her to a Blue Badge, this will help anyone giving her a lift to be closer to the destination for them to guide them onward.
She's should be eligible for $1. Applying for attendance allowance is a pig of a job, 52 questions on 31 pages, but you could fill it in for her.
Other benefits like $1 may be available.
With this extra money she could employ people to help her with tasks like cleaning the house (seeing dirt is difficult when your blind as is using cleaning products safely) and going through correspondence (you need someone very trustworthy for this) or just reading the local newspaper to her.
Employing people is challenging, from interviewing and selection to making sure they are paid along with their taxes, holiday pay and pensions. There may be a local organisation who can help with this payroll administration.
Getting an appointment with an $1 could get her illuminated magnifiers or monoculars or other aids to help her read things.
If she has an iPhone then $1 app has great potential.
Help her get in touch with the local blind charity. They may do home visits, have examples of aids for blind people to try out, can give advice, offer a social centre where people can meet up in a blindness friendly environment.
Get her some $1 so she can mark the preferred settings for toaster / cooker / washing machine. $1 look really useful too, I think I may get some of those for someone I know.
Good lighting helps too, $1.
Edit: Buying a screen-reader / magnifier software is just a start. Whether it is Voiceover on an iPad or iPhone, or PC software like $1 then training and support is a must for any user to get the best out of it. Either pay for training or learn how to use these yourself and be the trainer.
Also at 91 dealing with bureaucracy is a challenge in itself without the added burden of failing site. Making phone calls and filling in forms would be great help.
You could help make sure that she is connected to all the right organisations that will provide help.
/u/shacklebolt said check out the RNIB website, it is a fantastic resource, but I would go further and give them a call.
RNIB Helpline 0303 123 9999
I think it is the local authority (LS) / social services who have some responsibility, e.g. supplying mobility aids like white canes. Your aunt will need to be registered with the LA as blind for this ($1).
Being registered blind will entitle her to a Blue Badge, this will help anyone giving her a lift to be closer to the destination for them to guide them onward.
She's should be eligible for $1. Applying for attendance allowance is a pig of a job, 52 questions on 31 pages, but you could fill it in for her.
Other benefits like $1 may be available.
With this extra money she could employ people to help her with tasks like cleaning the house (seeing dirt is difficult when your blind as is using cleaning products safely) and going through correspondence (you need someone very trustworthy for this) or just reading the local newspaper to her.
Employing people is challenging, from interviewing and selection to making sure they are paid along with their taxes, holiday pay and pensions. There may be a local organisation who can help with this payroll administration.
Getting an appointment with an $1 could get her illuminated magnifiers or monoculars or other aids to help her read things.
If she has an iPhone then $1 app has great potential.
Help her get in touch with the local blind charity. They may do home visits, have examples of aids for blind people to try out, can give advice, offer a social centre where people can meet up in a blindness friendly environment.
Get her some $1 so she can mark the preferred settings for toaster / cooker / washing machine. $1 look really useful too, I think I may get some of those for someone I know.
Good lighting helps too, $1.
Edit: Buying a screen-reader / magnifier software is just a start. Whether it is Voiceover on an iPad or iPhone, or PC software like $1 then training and support is a must for any user to get the best out of it. Either pay for training or learn how to use these yourself and be the trainer.
Badassmotherfuckerer 1 points 5y ago
Hey this is kind of unrelated to OP's post, but in your opinion, what are the benefits of Zoomtext vs MAGic? Also, I'm a low vision JAWS user, so with the updates to JAWS to work better with zoomtext, whats the difference between Zoomtext fusion and Zoomtext reader?
estj136 1 points 5y ago
Yeah, zoomtext or Jaws. Jaws is probably still the best screen reading software out there for the windows system.
clandestinewarrior 1 points 5y ago
If she can see you may try the windows magnifier. Apples voice over is pretty good as well. NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) is a free screen reader you may check out
[deleted] 1 points 5y ago
[deleted]
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.