Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Looking for ideas to help my newly blind mother cope (self.Blind)
submitted by xone01
My mother is 68 and has very suddenly lost nearly 100% of her vision. Obviously, this is going to be a difficult transition for her, but in these early days one of the biggest things she's struggling with is using her phone.
Are there any tips or tricks that I can show her to help her feel like she's regaining some control and normalcy? If it helps, she has a slightly older iPhone (a 5, I think). I've tried activating the built-in screen reader, but the issue is that she doesn't have any way to know where on the screen she's clicking.
Thanks so much in advance. I know we have a lot to learn about navigating this new reality, and any help is so very appreciated!
Are there any tips or tricks that I can show her to help her feel like she's regaining some control and normalcy? If it helps, she has a slightly older iPhone (a 5, I think). I've tried activating the built-in screen reader, but the issue is that she doesn't have any way to know where on the screen she's clicking.
Thanks so much in advance. I know we have a lot to learn about navigating this new reality, and any help is so very appreciated!
theWriteAmy 2 points 4y ago
You don't have to buy her dots. Since she has an older iPhone, I'm assuming it still has a home button at the bottom of it. This would help her orient.
As she is blind, of course she won't know where she is on the screen. But that is the point of the screen reader, to tell her what element she's on and help navigate through a site or app. It doesn't seem like you've tried VoiceOver yet? You can go through the VoiceOver tutorial with her until she's comfortable using it.
Keep in mind, websites and apps differ in how accessible they are with a screen reader. She will encounter unlabeled buttons that are links. She might get caught in a trap that stops VoiceOver from working. You won't really know until you try.
If your mother's blindness is permanent, I'd recommend going to a local blind/visually impaired organization. They usually have someone whose job is to teach blind/VI people how to use accessible tech.
As she is blind, of course she won't know where she is on the screen. But that is the point of the screen reader, to tell her what element she's on and help navigate through a site or app. It doesn't seem like you've tried VoiceOver yet? You can go through the VoiceOver tutorial with her until she's comfortable using it.
Keep in mind, websites and apps differ in how accessible they are with a screen reader. She will encounter unlabeled buttons that are links. She might get caught in a trap that stops VoiceOver from working. You won't really know until you try.
If your mother's blindness is permanent, I'd recommend going to a local blind/visually impaired organization. They usually have someone whose job is to teach blind/VI people how to use accessible tech.
solar-cabin 2 points 4y ago
You can buy stick on dots. If you put one on the corner of the phone case that would help your mom orient the phone with her fingers when she feels that dot.
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Then you will have to help her locate the correct touch spot based on that orientation.
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If your mom types at all a conventional computer with a keyboard and screen reader would be useful.
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Then you will have to help her locate the correct touch spot based on that orientation.
​
If your mom types at all a conventional computer with a keyboard and screen reader would be useful.
[deleted] 1 points 4y ago
[removed]
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