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Blind and Visually Impaired Community

Full History - 2020 - 06 - 02 - ID#gv3pk1
11
Accessibility and work/home modifications (self.Blind)
submitted by doccaballero
Hi everyone,

I am a 32 year old Australian who has never been good at asking for help.

I have retinoschisis in both eyes causing a significant loss in central vision.

Recently in Australia the Government has introduced the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) that helps fund people living with disabilities.

I am in the process of applying and have had a conversation with someone regarding visual aides. They just kept asking "what do you need?" To which I didn’t have an answer because I don’t know what is available or what even could help?

What kind of aides have you used and why have you seen that may help? I don’t know how deep this well is so hit me with some stuff out of left field please.

Large screens/E-readers/lighting/magnifiers all great and I’ve been looking into them but what else is out there? Even stuff that isn’t designed specifically for accessibility needs that has been of help to people with low vision.


Thanks in advance .
vwlsmssng 5 points 3y ago
I appreciate it is so often difficult to know what helps until you've seen or tried something.

Accessibility shops like the UK $1 has loads of stuff that will give you food for thought.

Home modifications are different because some of the simple helpful things aren't aids in themselves.

Adding contrast to the home has helped the VI person I know. Light switches are a common problem, often white on a white painted wall. In the UK we have the "Part M" regulations for buildings that have resulted in manufacturers producing ranges of light switches, sockets and other items that are coloured to contrast with light coloured walls. Examples here: https://www.bgelectrical.uk/moulded/part-m

Alternatively just have chromed light switches and electric sockets make a difference.

Part M regulations are also why some disabled toilets in the UK are have handrails, toilet seats and other furniture in dark blue to contrast against the whiteness of the rest of the room.

You might not need a handrail in your bathroom for support but it can be useful for orientation and keeping balance.

Other sources of contrast can be having a dark coloured kitchen work-surface against which you can place metal cutlery, pans and light coloured tableware. Choosing flooring to contrast walls can help you see were the room ends and the wall starts. Bright coloured kitchen tools seem to help too.
Talking kitchen gadgets are really useful. We have a talking microwave, talking weighing scales and talking digital radio. The latter is sadly no longer available but other items come from $1 in the UK.

While we are talking talking gadgets, we are thinking of getting a talking blood pressure monitor, we already have a Braun Thermoscan thermometer which doesn't talk but the display lights up blue, green, or red depending on the temperature just read.

You've mentioned large screens for computers, but don't forget your screen-reader and magnifier software, something like $1 is expensive to buy and update while being invaluable. Here government funding can really be useful.

I hope this helps.
doccaballero [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Great help thanks for taking the time and the great detail.
CloudyBeep 2 points 3y ago
Vision Australia sells many similar products and also has stores where you can try products.

I don't work there; just mentioning it because the RNIB is a UK agency and you probably don't want to pay for shipping unnecessarily.
vwlsmssng 2 points 3y ago
Any alternate sources in Oz will surely be better for OP. I'm just giving ideas here and hopefully OP and friends can track down the antipodean equivalents.
IronDominion 1 points 3y ago
I work in assistive technology in the US in private and government programs. While programs like SuperNova and JAWS are good, they’re pricey. A good budget option if the state won’t pay for something else is NVDA. While not as refined as the others, it’s open source, so there’s a lot more support for niche markets like games, software and websites that other programs may struggle with. Another thing is that if you do choose to get software, you may want to see if the program offers assistive technology training. I don’t know if Australia does, but you should ask about it. Basically a trainer will be assigned to work with you on your own hardware to teach you how to use any assistive technology you have or are obtaining. Due to the pandemic, they may want to work with you remotely, but there is info online on how to use accessibility with things like Zoom. Sometimes they may ask you to travel to a facility, but most will arrange a place to meet with you, like at your home or place of work.
CloudyBeep 2 points 3y ago
Training is quite easy to get in Australia, and JAWS is often funded if the individual presents a case for why it is necessary.
IronDominion 2 points 3y ago
Oh you guys are lucky. The programs here in the states are a pain in the butt, for the client and the employees of the state.
CloudyBeep 3 points 3y ago
Blindness service agencies such as Vision Australia can perform assessments to let you know what technology is available and what technology could assist you. Vision Australia staff can also attend your meetings with NDIS staff to assist you with explaining the necessity for the supports you need.
noaimpara 2 points 3y ago
You mentionned theagnifying things and I can’t stress enough how useful it is. I have one that fits in my ocket and I wouldn’t be able to do a lot of things without it. We have a similar scheme in my country and I got them to pay for a macbook air, a cane and professional mobility training and my public transportation cost.
doccaballero [OP] 1 points 3y ago
That’s fantastic! I have a small pocket magnifier too. Keep it with my keys and wallet and never forget it :)
noaimpara 1 points 3y ago
Same! It’s really so useful!
CosmicBunny97 1 points 3y ago
Can you talk to someone atVision Australia or Guide Dogs about it? They should be able to help. I’m sorry I can’t suggest more because my vision is diffierent from yours.
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