Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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How to handle postal mail? (self.Blind)
submitted by ExtremelyQualified
My mom has very little vision. She is independent in most things, but postal mail is a challenge.
She has bags and bags and bags full of unopened postal mail at home. Reading it with her magnifier is extremely slow and and exhausting. She does not want other people to read her mail for her, even family. She doesn’t want to throw any mail out because there may be something important in there.
I’ve tried to think of ways to help, but I’m at a loss. Any suggestions from the sub?
She has bags and bags and bags full of unopened postal mail at home. Reading it with her magnifier is extremely slow and and exhausting. She does not want other people to read her mail for her, even family. She doesn’t want to throw any mail out because there may be something important in there.
I’ve tried to think of ways to help, but I’m at a loss. Any suggestions from the sub?
TrippingWithNoSight 7 points 3y ago
Seeing AI on iPhone.
SableJane 5 points 3y ago
Will she let someone help organize it for her?
This would at least help ensure that things like statements and bills are opened in a timely manner.
This would at least help ensure that things like statements and bills are opened in a timely manner.
chloem86 4 points 3y ago
Try and get her to go through it and contact the companies the mail is coming from- request it as emails or large print
AndAdapt 2 points 3y ago
I use voice dream scanner on the iPhone. Used uses audio to help ensure the paper is in frame, snap a photo and it reads it to you. Works well with multiple page letters as after the first photo you can tap add another page.
Then you can save them as complete letters and reference in the future if you need to
Then you can save them as complete letters and reference in the future if you need to
BlueRock956 1 points 3y ago
I use Aira with great success. I often don’t need them to read me the content, just the outside of the mail so that I know who is addressing me.
8i8oio 1 points 3y ago
I don’t know if she’s like this, but the app “Be My Eyes” is wonderful, and what I would use in that situation.
Note: I am in the US and have opted out of EVERYTHING. Geico still bugs me tho... as if I need car insurance in the first place <huff>
Note: I am in the US and have opted out of EVERYTHING. Geico still bugs me tho... as if I need car insurance in the first place <huff>
CloudyBeep 2 points 3y ago
Be My Eyes isn't a good idea for sensitive documents.
8i8oio 2 points 3y ago
I would use it. You aren’t always speaking to someone from the same country. Plus, but have them read the “from” ~ you don’t have to open everything. It’s better than her current plan.
codeplaysleep 1 points 3y ago
Personally, now that all of my bills are paid online, I haven't had a useful piece of postal mail in years, unless it was a holiday/birthday card. So I would start by getting as much of her monthly bill payments as possible automated and handled digitally.
A lot of the rest, you can kind of tell by feel. If it's a catalog, or a coated envelope, or a single sheet of large card-stock or coated card-stock, it's 95% likely to be junk mail that can be tossed.
To reduce junk mail, she can opt out of things like pre-screened credit card/insurance offers: $1
And she can opt out of may other types of junk mail here: $1
If she's uncertain, she can use something like Seeing AI, or a magnifying app. A phone/digital magnifier may be easier to see than using an actual magnifying glass. For Android, I like WeZoom (free) - lots of options for controlling contrast and color modes.
If there are bills/regular payments you can't automate, or she goes somewhere where the knows they'll be sending her important mail/bills (like a visit to the doctor), ask if she can pay by phone. For monthly bills, she can call them each month and pay. For other things, the respective billing department for whomever she's dealing with can call her. If paying by phone isn't an option, she can request to have those things sent in large print.
A lot of the rest, you can kind of tell by feel. If it's a catalog, or a coated envelope, or a single sheet of large card-stock or coated card-stock, it's 95% likely to be junk mail that can be tossed.
To reduce junk mail, she can opt out of things like pre-screened credit card/insurance offers: $1
And she can opt out of may other types of junk mail here: $1
If she's uncertain, she can use something like Seeing AI, or a magnifying app. A phone/digital magnifier may be easier to see than using an actual magnifying glass. For Android, I like WeZoom (free) - lots of options for controlling contrast and color modes.
If there are bills/regular payments you can't automate, or she goes somewhere where the knows they'll be sending her important mail/bills (like a visit to the doctor), ask if she can pay by phone. For monthly bills, she can call them each month and pay. For other things, the respective billing department for whomever she's dealing with can call her. If paying by phone isn't an option, she can request to have those things sent in large print.
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