Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Advise for daughter of vision impaired father (self.Blind)
submitted by ValerieValira
My dad is has lost total vision in his right eye. He has Coats Disease and his vision has been failing for years but now he has only some peripheral vision in his left eye and nothing in the right.
Anyway. He is, as expected, upset. I am worried about his independence. He has refused to learn anything in the past to assist with his low vision- nothing adaptive, no cane, no braille. He uses an ipad a lot but none of the adaptive features, just a lot of zooming. But that was all with his right eye.
Anyway, my question: could you all give some advise on how to approach the topic of getting adaptive equipment with my dad? Should I just let the doctors do it?
And, if you think me talking with my dad is okay, any adaptive equipment necessities you’d advise, programs to attend, etc? Organizations that he can talk to if he decides he does want help learning?
Anyway. He is, as expected, upset. I am worried about his independence. He has refused to learn anything in the past to assist with his low vision- nothing adaptive, no cane, no braille. He uses an ipad a lot but none of the adaptive features, just a lot of zooming. But that was all with his right eye.
Anyway, my question: could you all give some advise on how to approach the topic of getting adaptive equipment with my dad? Should I just let the doctors do it?
And, if you think me talking with my dad is okay, any adaptive equipment necessities you’d advise, programs to attend, etc? Organizations that he can talk to if he decides he does want help learning?
estj317 6 points 4y ago
Just tell him as it is. It is possible to do things but only with adaptive technology and solutions. If he doesn’t adapt nothing is possible if he does everything is possible blind people can live a very productive life. Overcoming the disability is important. Learning to adapt is essential.
I would look in to your local blind organization for help.
It is not the end of the world that he’s going blind.
I would look in to your local blind organization for help.
It is not the end of the world that he’s going blind.
CatchTheseWords 3 points 4y ago
Where do you guys live? That will help us advise you about specific services. I think you can make suggestions, like "how about we attend..." whatever group, or you could buy mainstream technology like a google home or echo dot. He can access a lot using those, and it might ease him in to assistive technology.
ValerieValira [OP] 1 points 4y ago
I love the idea of a home device. Thanks! We live in Virginia, USA
CatchTheseWords 2 points 4y ago
I've found someone in the area who is happy to chat to you about services, if you'd like me to connect you.
CatchTheseWords 1 points 4y ago
I'll ask around and see what people recommend in your area. Home devices are great because they naturally don't require vision, but hopefully won't make him feel like his life has changed, really that's the hardest thing for people, accepting the change.
msunrtc 1 points 4y ago
How old is your dad?
ValerieValira [OP] 1 points 4y ago
In his early 60’s. He has had progressive vision loss for 25 years.
msunrtc 2 points 4y ago
He should be eligible for Virginia's Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) program, then, which provides free assessment, counseling, AT assistance, etc.
See the box near the bottom of the page here: https://www.vdbvi.org/independent_living.htm
Feel free to message me if you have any questions about the program, need any help, etc--we provide technical assistance for OIB programs.
See the box near the bottom of the page here: https://www.vdbvi.org/independent_living.htm
Feel free to message me if you have any questions about the program, need any help, etc--we provide technical assistance for OIB programs.
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