Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
11
↓
Where do I start? (self.Blind)
submitted by [deleted]
[deleted]
CloudyBeep 5 points 1y ago
Contact a local blindness agency. They'll help you decide what you need to learn and ensure that you have the blindness skills to be employable.
finallystrong 3 points 1y ago
Thanks for signposting, I’ve rooted out a local charity - looks promising!
EffectiveYak0 4 points 1y ago
I have optic nerve damage from a giant mass that crushed my optic nerve. I've got probably somewhat similar problems to you. Originally after I got diagnosed and had surgery I went completely blind for four months. During that time it was emotionally very rough. Give yourself time to grieve, and try to surround yourself with people who care about you and can help you adjust. You an do this, but it will take time and effort.
I did eventually get a little bit of central vision back, but I still use screen readers because I just can't see enough of the screen to read fast enough in most cases. What I did initially was learn to use the Google screen reader called ChromeVox. It's the screen reader that comes with chromebooks. I found that it was easier to use starting out, but ultimately I think most folks end up using JAWS or NVDA. Now I use a combination of ChromeVox and VoiceOver.
At first you'll probably need the screen reader to speak fairly slowly for you to understand. Get a pair of really comfortable over the ear headphones. You'll want to work on making yourself as comfortable as possible so you have enough energy to focus on learning how to do things differently. Over time you can increase the speed of the screen reader. I'm pretty comfortable with it reading to me at around 400 to 450 words per minute.
Don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. One of my biggest regrets was that I didn't reach out to help earlier in my vision journey. It ended up costing me my job, and I was unemployed for about eight months. I'm proud to say, however, that I am back to gainful employment and doing very well.
Stay strong OP. You can do this.
I did eventually get a little bit of central vision back, but I still use screen readers because I just can't see enough of the screen to read fast enough in most cases. What I did initially was learn to use the Google screen reader called ChromeVox. It's the screen reader that comes with chromebooks. I found that it was easier to use starting out, but ultimately I think most folks end up using JAWS or NVDA. Now I use a combination of ChromeVox and VoiceOver.
At first you'll probably need the screen reader to speak fairly slowly for you to understand. Get a pair of really comfortable over the ear headphones. You'll want to work on making yourself as comfortable as possible so you have enough energy to focus on learning how to do things differently. Over time you can increase the speed of the screen reader. I'm pretty comfortable with it reading to me at around 400 to 450 words per minute.
Don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. One of my biggest regrets was that I didn't reach out to help earlier in my vision journey. It ended up costing me my job, and I was unemployed for about eight months. I'm proud to say, however, that I am back to gainful employment and doing very well.
Stay strong OP. You can do this.
finallystrong 1 points 1y ago
This is so, so helpful, thank you for sharing your experiences! Since my sight went sideways, I’ve been relying on my iPad, as I can keep it an inch from my face - not so possible with a laptop, unless I eat the keyboard.
I used to get irritated with audiobooks as they were much slower than reading, good to hear there’s an option to speed up screen readers. My work involves a lot of spreadsheets and diagrams, I’ve no idea if it’s even possible for a screen reader to describe relationships between data. Guess I can always get a giant monitor!
I used to get irritated with audiobooks as they were much slower than reading, good to hear there’s an option to speed up screen readers. My work involves a lot of spreadsheets and diagrams, I’ve no idea if it’s even possible for a screen reader to describe relationships between data. Guess I can always get a giant monitor!
saizai 2 points 1y ago
With audio books, you can always play them at 2-3x speed. I rarely play things at 1x these days — mainly only if I really like the narrator, or if playing it to listen together with my partner. It's still slower than reading visually, but not by too much.
From your word choice, it sounds like you're from the UK. If so, check out RNIB Reading Services, plus RNIB Bookshare if you're affiliated with a school somehow. If US, $1 & NLS BARD. Various other services elsewhere. Lots of free audiobooks, epub, etc.
O&M in the UK is provided by your local council. As it turned out, mine (Newham) didn't even require a CVI. In the US, each state is different. Ask to find out what your local O&M agency actually requires, so you know what paperwork obstacles you actually have or don't.
I suggest just going straight to guide cane, rather than getting an ID cane. Better to have that skillset even if you can get by without, and being able to navigate fully blind lets you rest your eyes for when you need them more.
You could try more abstract art that is blurry-compatible. Or more physical stuff, like pottery, sculpture, gardening, etc.
Giant monitor and the OS zoom accessibility feature works. Diagrams are rather a pain to make accessible. Spreadsheets are doable but require a lot of mental state to track things well. Try out the various options and talk with a rehabilitation specialist; you'll get used to what you can and can't do through what medium. And ask your doctor about whether your condition is likely to progress; if so, you may want to prepare the skillset now for your future self.
From your word choice, it sounds like you're from the UK. If so, check out RNIB Reading Services, plus RNIB Bookshare if you're affiliated with a school somehow. If US, $1 & NLS BARD. Various other services elsewhere. Lots of free audiobooks, epub, etc.
O&M in the UK is provided by your local council. As it turned out, mine (Newham) didn't even require a CVI. In the US, each state is different. Ask to find out what your local O&M agency actually requires, so you know what paperwork obstacles you actually have or don't.
I suggest just going straight to guide cane, rather than getting an ID cane. Better to have that skillset even if you can get by without, and being able to navigate fully blind lets you rest your eyes for when you need them more.
You could try more abstract art that is blurry-compatible. Or more physical stuff, like pottery, sculpture, gardening, etc.
Giant monitor and the OS zoom accessibility feature works. Diagrams are rather a pain to make accessible. Spreadsheets are doable but require a lot of mental state to track things well. Try out the various options and talk with a rehabilitation specialist; you'll get used to what you can and can't do through what medium. And ask your doctor about whether your condition is likely to progress; if so, you may want to prepare the skillset now for your future self.
finallystrong 2 points 1y ago
Wow thank you, this is amazing! Everyone here has been so helpful. I feel much more confident with a plan and an idea of what to expect. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge.
saizai 2 points 1y ago
saizai 2 points 1y ago
Happy to help. A blind friend gave me a crash course in O&M (because I had no access to services, and anyway wanted more independence); it was extremely valuable. In a few years you'll be helping out others too.
It's really a lot scarier in your expectation and imagination than it is in reality. There's a lot you don't know you don't know. Some of it is pretty frustrating, occasionally scary (like random people grabbing; search #JustAskDontGrab on Twitter), and of course random unavoidable crap (like getting a branch to the face occasionally). And there's a whole skillset to learn. But I promise that on the whole it's not nearly as bad as it may seem.
And with an artistic background, I think you'll get more out of the new sensory awareness skills than most people; hopefully you can translate that to interesting art. There's an immense amount of stimuli that you just aren't used to paying attention to — echolocation, smell, wind, texture, heat, slope, nap, pressure, balance, proprioception, etc etc. Not even a majority of it IMHO is acoustic. If you approach it with a mind to how it might be integrated into your artwork as a positive thing (not merely rehabilitative), that might help you have a more positive perspective on the rest. It really is not an experience of sensory deprivation once you get used to it, paradoxical as that may seem.
PS You might find my talk about this of interest: https://s.ai/ccc
It's really a lot scarier in your expectation and imagination than it is in reality. There's a lot you don't know you don't know. Some of it is pretty frustrating, occasionally scary (like random people grabbing; search #JustAskDontGrab on Twitter), and of course random unavoidable crap (like getting a branch to the face occasionally). And there's a whole skillset to learn. But I promise that on the whole it's not nearly as bad as it may seem.
And with an artistic background, I think you'll get more out of the new sensory awareness skills than most people; hopefully you can translate that to interesting art. There's an immense amount of stimuli that you just aren't used to paying attention to — echolocation, smell, wind, texture, heat, slope, nap, pressure, balance, proprioception, etc etc. Not even a majority of it IMHO is acoustic. If you approach it with a mind to how it might be integrated into your artwork as a positive thing (not merely rehabilitative), that might help you have a more positive perspective on the rest. It really is not an experience of sensory deprivation once you get used to it, paradoxical as that may seem.
PS You might find my talk about this of interest: https://s.ai/ccc
EffectiveYak0 2 points 1y ago
Big screens are cheaper now more than ever. You might look into getting a large 4k TV, although you should read reviews to determine if people use them as computer monitors.
Unfortunately for me I just can't see enough of images no matter how big I make them so diagrams and charts are the bane of my existence. If you find a good way to traverse diagrams with assistive technology let me know.
Unfortunately for me I just can't see enough of images no matter how big I make them so diagrams and charts are the bane of my existence. If you find a good way to traverse diagrams with assistive technology let me know.
Geminiraa 4 points 1y ago
Hello!
The person above gave really good advice! I would say try to meet new people with visual impairments. And try to find ways to do what you enjoy with with accommodations. Also, I know the idea of using a screen reader is new, and you're probably going to go through a lot of stress and rough feelings about your vision loss if you haven't already
But just know that you're not alone ❤
If you want to talk, I'm here!!
The person above gave really good advice! I would say try to meet new people with visual impairments. And try to find ways to do what you enjoy with with accommodations. Also, I know the idea of using a screen reader is new, and you're probably going to go through a lot of stress and rough feelings about your vision loss if you haven't already
But just know that you're not alone ❤
If you want to talk, I'm here!!
finallystrong 3 points 1y ago
That’s so kind, thank you! All my hobbies were visual - art galleries, life drawing etc. Maybe there’s a more tactile craft I can try, like pottery. Will have a think!
Geminiraa 2 points 1y ago
You're welcome!
Yeah, I've heard that ceramics is a doable one!
Yeah, I've heard that ceramics is a doable one!
niamhweking 3 points 1y ago
Get some O&M training, it's not only cane training, it's tips on learning traffic skills, orientating yourself in new places etc
Start getting used to kindle, bookshare, etc
Good luck, lots of help and advice here.
I agree with another poster about keep your hobbies etc just use accommodations
You might want advice regarding making accommodations at work too
Start getting used to kindle, bookshare, etc
Good luck, lots of help and advice here.
I agree with another poster about keep your hobbies etc just use accommodations
You might want advice regarding making accommodations at work too
finallystrong 4 points 1y ago
Work is the thing I’m dreading the most, hopefully I can get some training soon and resume some sort of normality. I really appreciate all the advice, I’ll ask my doc about o and m too. There’s so much to do!
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.