Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
8
↓
Advice on visually impaired family (self.Blind)
submitted by xXFrozenThunderXx
Hi r/Blind,
Both my father (M 65) and sister (F 22) have limited eyesight with my sister being "legally blind". I have been the family's go-to for computer/technology related problems but I am limited in my knowledge of accessibility features. My father often asks me to help him in viewing PDF's on his computer because they don't always have contrasting colors or things are too small. I have suggested the virtual magnifying glass but he does not like the functionality of it. My vision is probably average but not great, so what I see is much different than what he sees and I find it difficult to suggest changes. On top of that, he presents virtual meetings, so he needs to have a "normal" screen to present from.
I guess my question is: Are there software tools that help in using computers or is there hardware that we can implement that will help? (Like bigger screens?)
Also, do larger smartphone screens help much more than a normal phone? (aka going to the plus/pro model.)
Any help is much appreciated!
Edit: Grammar
Both my father (M 65) and sister (F 22) have limited eyesight with my sister being "legally blind". I have been the family's go-to for computer/technology related problems but I am limited in my knowledge of accessibility features. My father often asks me to help him in viewing PDF's on his computer because they don't always have contrasting colors or things are too small. I have suggested the virtual magnifying glass but he does not like the functionality of it. My vision is probably average but not great, so what I see is much different than what he sees and I find it difficult to suggest changes. On top of that, he presents virtual meetings, so he needs to have a "normal" screen to present from.
I guess my question is: Are there software tools that help in using computers or is there hardware that we can implement that will help? (Like bigger screens?)
Also, do larger smartphone screens help much more than a normal phone? (aka going to the plus/pro model.)
Any help is much appreciated!
Edit: Grammar
princesspapercut 1 points 2y ago
My husband, who is legally blind from glaucoma, has similar issues with reading documents. His Occupational Therapist recommended Zoom Text for document viewing.
As for screen size, it depends on how much of his visual field is impaired. My husband only has a small bit of central vision remaining, so a smaller screen means less visual scanning and head moving to see the entire screen. His preference is to go into a store an try out devices before deciding on a screen size.
As for screen size, it depends on how much of his visual field is impaired. My husband only has a small bit of central vision remaining, so a smaller screen means less visual scanning and head moving to see the entire screen. His preference is to go into a store an try out devices before deciding on a screen size.
xXFrozenThunderXx [OP] 1 points 2y ago
As far as I know, my father has pretty good peripheral vision, so a larger screen seems like the way for him with some sort of software to help with the content. Someone else also suggested ZoomText, so I will check that out as well. Thanks!
AchooCashew 1 points 2y ago
It can depend on their specific kind of impairment - for example, a larger screen does not at all help me (it makes it worse) because I have zero peripheral vision and only register what’s directly in front of where my eyes are focused, so a large screen is just frustrating and makes it harder to locate things when there’s this bigger expanse to search. It sounds like screenreaders are a good starting point. If he doesn’t like a virtual magnifier, what about a low-tech physical world handheld magnifier held up to the screen? Good luck!
xXFrozenThunderXx [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thank you for sharing! My sister also has little-to-no peripheral vision. Although you said big isn't usually better for screens, are smart phones an exemption, or would that still be personal preference? My father has one of those dome magnifiers for physical documents which I have seen him use before. I will look into the normal hand-held magnifier to see if he is willing to use that. When he has long presentations, he may need to use the virtual magnifier which we will need to have practiced on before. Thanks again for your thoughts and experiences.
AchooCashew 1 points 2y ago
That might be personal preference, since smartphones are relatively 'small' even when you get the bigger versions. For example, the screen of the Nintendo Switch is too large for me to hold close enough to see well enough to play while also being able to comfortably see the entire screen without moving my head around, but I can use the Switch Lite. :)
TheBlindCreative 1 points 2y ago
Hi. Are they using Windows or Apple computers? I primarily use screen reader programs that verbalize what is on the screen. NVDA is a free screen reader for Windows and VoiceOver is a built in screen reader found in all Apple products. Unfortunately, I cannot speak much on magnification tools. Larger phone screens can help.
xXFrozenThunderXx [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thank you, I will see if I can persuade my father to get comfortable with screen readers. I hope there is an option for it to only read when you tell it, otherwise, I have a feeling he doesn't want it running all the time.
KillerLag 1 points 2y ago
Check into ZoomText, to see if that would help with the magnification. It can also adjust contrast and have a few other options. There is a demo version you can try. It can get pricey, so check if your state/province had a funding program for it.
Bigger screens can help, but not always.
Bigger screens can help, but not always.
xXFrozenThunderXx [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thank you! I will look into this and see if it is feasible.
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.