Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Looking for suggestions on a device that will automatically read time, weather, and news at set intervals? (self.Blind)
submitted by dictatednotwritten
My Grandmother has suffered a macular stroke and couple with her existing degeneration she is now completely blind. At 87 years old she is now deteriorating rapidly and the blindness is adding to the difficulty. I am hoping that this community can offer some ideas on how I can get her some basic information like the title requests?
Little background:
She is living in an assisted living facility and hopefully will remain there for her remaining years. I really like the place and her unique requirements are able to be handled by the facility. Previously, I have installed a whole suite of Amazon Alexa devices and this worked twenty percent of the time, BUT, she has begun to show signs of dementia and even the seemingly simple act of remembering to say "Alexa" and state what she wants is lost on her. That is why I am hoping for some sort of automatic means to make a device simply announce these things, perhaps every 3 or 4 hours.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly welcomed!
Little background:
She is living in an assisted living facility and hopefully will remain there for her remaining years. I really like the place and her unique requirements are able to be handled by the facility. Previously, I have installed a whole suite of Amazon Alexa devices and this worked twenty percent of the time, BUT, she has begun to show signs of dementia and even the seemingly simple act of remembering to say "Alexa" and state what she wants is lost on her. That is why I am hoping for some sort of automatic means to make a device simply announce these things, perhaps every 3 or 4 hours.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly welcomed!
afraidofdust 3 points 4y ago
I think you can set up Alexa to do it on its own, but I wouldn't know how. :(
dictatednotwritten [OP] 2 points 4y ago
I am looking into that now...i am hoping that is possible.
afraidofdust 2 points 4y ago
I don't know if Alexa is connected to a mobile device. But if so, you could maybe install the app If This Then That and put time prompts in there?
dictatednotwritten [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Odd side story...i did set up all her devices using her IPhone (up until June 2018 she was completely independent). Unfortunately, it seems someone placed a lock code on her device and she has no idea what the code is not anyone else.
afraidofdust 3 points 4y ago
The fuck. Maybe you could take it to the Apple store for that? Wow, that was really shitty of whoever did that.
HDMILex 1 points 4y ago
You cannot unfortunately.
Lettsee 2 points 4y ago
Google home routines do a good job at this.
Pretty easy to set up, just go into the app on the phone and set them for specific times.
I have this set up for time myself and it generally works pretty well.
Pretty easy to set up, just go into the app on the phone and set them for specific times.
I have this set up for time myself and it generally works pretty well.
Myntrith 2 points 4y ago
NOAA broadcasts weather reports by radio. You can look for a weather radio with easy, tactile buttons that she can turn on and off.
Below is a simple PowerShell script as a proof-of-concept. It announces the day, date and time followed by a simple, brief spoken weather report. If you like it, and want some help customizing it, I'd be happy to help customize/polish/adapt this a bit more for you.
I adapted it from this script: https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/heyscriptingguy/2010/11/07/use-powershell-to-retrieve-a-weather-forecast/
But here's another example with a different source that can report more info, like humidity and such: https://www.reddit.com/r/PowerShell/comments/2ejh0i/getweather_a_cmdlet_to_list_the_weather_at_a/
EDIT: On second thought, I'll private message the script to save people the ordeal of having their screen readers read it.
Below is a simple PowerShell script as a proof-of-concept. It announces the day, date and time followed by a simple, brief spoken weather report. If you like it, and want some help customizing it, I'd be happy to help customize/polish/adapt this a bit more for you.
I adapted it from this script: https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/heyscriptingguy/2010/11/07/use-powershell-to-retrieve-a-weather-forecast/
But here's another example with a different source that can report more info, like humidity and such: https://www.reddit.com/r/PowerShell/comments/2ejh0i/getweather_a_cmdlet_to_list_the_weather_at_a/
EDIT: On second thought, I'll private message the script to save people the ordeal of having their screen readers read it.
theimpossiblesong 2 points 4y ago
Maybe something like this could help?
https://www.amazon.com/Talking-Time-Month-Alarm-Clock/dp/B00013KOTS/ref=zg_bs_108371011_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ESSDZHBWXWVC9V752D6C
It doesn't do everything you asked but it does make hourly time announcements from 8am - 10pm.
If she has a tablet or smartphone, the app Speaking Clock: Tell me the time can also be set to announce the time in intervals.
https://www.amazon.com/Talking-Time-Month-Alarm-Clock/dp/B00013KOTS/ref=zg_bs_108371011_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ESSDZHBWXWVC9V752D6C
It doesn't do everything you asked but it does make hourly time announcements from 8am - 10pm.
If she has a tablet or smartphone, the app Speaking Clock: Tell me the time can also be set to announce the time in intervals.
dictatednotwritten [OP] 1 points 4y ago
This is a great idea! Im continuing pursuit of some other avenues, but this item is on its way to my house as we speak. At the very least she will know the time!
sofquipeut 2 points 4y ago
And using these routines things with Alexa cannot help? Just wondering. setting a routine every hour or something to automatically say the weather and time. I'm pretty sure Google Home can do so
retrolental_morose 2 points 4y ago
I think routines have to be triggered verbally. I've seen bluetooth buttons though, those will certainly link to a cheap android-based device and you can call IFTTT or similar. Would she be up for hitting a button?
Other than that, a small computer - raspberry Pi, netbook etc could be left running attached to a speaker and you could roll your own timers and content?
Other than that, a small computer - raspberry Pi, netbook etc could be left running attached to a speaker and you could roll your own timers and content?
dictatednotwritten [OP] 1 points 4y ago
I like this idea...this will be my primary attempt.
dictatednotwritten [OP] 1 points 4y ago
She forgets how to start (ok Google or Alexa) and this causes more frustration. Hopefully I vmcan find some instructions on how to make this automatic.
GoBlindOrGoHome 2 points 4y ago
Maybe try changing the awake word to "excuse me" or something similar, might feel more natural to someone less technologically versed.
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