Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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My neighbour is blind (self.Blind)
submitted by head007off
My neighbour is getting old and her vision deteriorates dramatically, something with retina in both eyes. She's walking with a white cane, still trying to be as independent as possible. Yesterday night, she couldn't find her driveway wondering three houses from hers. That was heartbreaking to see. I want to help her just with that. What if she had some sort of remote control that would turn on a light and a sound signal from a distance of, say, 20-30 meters? Would that help? Are there such devices on a market?
retrolental_morose 16 points 1y ago
When I moved into a new place, I put wind chimes up for a bit until i'd gotten the hang of things.
I'm surprised nobody's come up with some sort of bluetooth beacon with a cane handle or wrap so you can have discrete, vibratory feedback that you're heading in the right direction. All these engineering and product design surveys we get and nobody's put anything like that on the market.
I'm surprised nobody's come up with some sort of bluetooth beacon with a cane handle or wrap so you can have discrete, vibratory feedback that you're heading in the right direction. All these engineering and product design surveys we get and nobody's put anything like that on the market.
[deleted] 13 points 1y ago
[deleted]
eDisrturbseize 6 points 1y ago
I think the Wewalk smart cane nearly fits that’s bill and has GPS guidance although I’m not 100% if you can save destinations such as home or work yet.
retrolental_morose 5 points 1y ago
WeWalk is poor in moisture.
It rains often in the UU ...
It rains often in the UU ...
eDisrturbseize 3 points 1y ago
Thank you for giving that detail- I didn’t know and am also in a rainy area.
Anianna 3 points 1y ago
I wonder if there's a way to repurpose pet/hunting dog tracker devices for this purpose, or maybe those device trackers like Tile.
GoGoPowerStrangers 10 points 1y ago
We used a rope light along the walkway down the driveway to outline the areas my wife could walk. Until HOA sent us a notice. We're waiting to hear back about an exemption.
head007off [OP] 3 points 1y ago
HOA 👹
Sommiel 5 points 1y ago
You could get some solar lights that would just automatically come on when it gets dark.
Low tech as you can get!
Low tech as you can get!
BlakeBlues 5 points 1y ago
Talk with her to see if there is something that can be placed at the corner of her lawn. A wooden sign or rock can be a good identifier. She's also learning, and it will get easier for her slowly
LyingSlider7 3 points 1y ago
I wish honestly I’m surprised nobody’s made something like this it’s such a simple device that doesn’t even need to be that complex literally just could be a small speaker or late with a remote that has a range of like 2030 feet when chimes near the door would probably be the best idea
Dietzgen17 3 points 1y ago
Lots of smarthome devices exist.
head007off [OP] 3 points 1y ago
I'm not sure my neighbour has internet and would be able to afford a smart home setup. There might be a simpler solution. I assume, a remote controlled light/audio wouldn't break anyone's bank since we already see remote controlled led lights for closets at dollar stores. I wonder if blind community already came up with the right solution.
Dietzgen17 3 points 1y ago
I was talking about smarthome devices for the blind and visually impaired. But maybe there is something that's more low-tech. You should put your neighbor in touch with a government agency or a private organization that helps the blind.
MusicLover035 2 points 1y ago
Maybe a carpet could be added on the driveway or something similar to that? I personally have a few identifiers just in case, for example two carpets on my lawn, how far a tree is from my home, etc.
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