Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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How to stay in touch digitally with blind person? (self.Blind)
submitted by M4rtifex
I've been online friends with someone who lives far away. Due to damaged eyes when they were younger, their sight is slowly getting worse and they will eventually go blind.
We grew really close and we would hate to lose touch, so we're trying to find a way to stay in touch after they go blind.
This is a challenge, because he doesn't live alone and voicecalls aren't really an option. (Also because they wouldn't be able to accept the call because they wouldn't be able to see who's calling or where to press in order to accept).
What solutions are available for text-to-speech and vice versa? Are there any apps or gadgets available that would allow us to still text in one way or another?
I've been googling, but I haven't found any solutions yet. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
We grew really close and we would hate to lose touch, so we're trying to find a way to stay in touch after they go blind.
This is a challenge, because he doesn't live alone and voicecalls aren't really an option. (Also because they wouldn't be able to accept the call because they wouldn't be able to see who's calling or where to press in order to accept).
What solutions are available for text-to-speech and vice versa? Are there any apps or gadgets available that would allow us to still text in one way or another?
I've been googling, but I haven't found any solutions yet. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
AllHarlowsEve 4 points 1y ago
Do they have a smart phone? A lot of us, those that lost vision when they were older, find transferring from strictly visual use of a smartphone to using the built-in screen reader way easier than learning to use a computer-based screen reader.
For learning a computer screen reader I second learning touch typing, and using a USB keyboard can help with that. I use a mechanical keyboard that has the escape key on its own, then blocks like F1-F4, F5-F8, etc. The number keys are at the very top of the main section, making it very easy for me to not hit the wrong number, and it also keeps the arrow keys out of accidental hitting range when I'm going for the shift key.
For learning a computer screen reader I second learning touch typing, and using a USB keyboard can help with that. I use a mechanical keyboard that has the escape key on its own, then blocks like F1-F4, F5-F8, etc. The number keys are at the very top of the main section, making it very easy for me to not hit the wrong number, and it also keeps the arrow keys out of accidental hitting range when I'm going for the shift key.
DariusA92 2 points 1y ago
They need to learn how to use screen readers, not only for this, but for doing everything else with their device (E.G. using social media, shopping online, reserving tickets and reading the news). On IOS and Mac the screen reader is Voiceover, on Android devices it is called TalkBack. A few screen readers are available for Windows: Narrator that comes with the operating system but isn't very good; JAWS, a comertial screen reader and NVDA, a free and open-source screen reader. On Linux there is one called orca.
After learning that, they can use all kinds of social media and messaging apps to keep in contact. WhatsApp probably is the best one.
After learning that, they can use all kinds of social media and messaging apps to keep in contact. WhatsApp probably is the best one.
je97 2 points 1y ago
if he hasn't already, he needs to learn how to use screen reading software on his computer. I still think jaws for windows is the best one (others disagree) but it costs a bomb, nvda is improving and is free. Unfortunately I don't really have the time in my day to offer actual 1 to 1 training rn but I know those services are offered over the internet.
M4rtifex [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Great, thanks for your advice! They haven't lost their sight completely yet. However, the have Chromebook, so they don't use Windows.
Do you happen to know any solutions on that operating system?
Do you happen to know any solutions on that operating system?
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
Chromevox is very workable and very very good and accessible and powerful.
je97 1 points 1y ago
I know there's a built-in screenreader called chromevox, but I know nothing else about it besides the name.
M4rtifex [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Great, thanks again! So a follow up question: these screen readers will allow them to read texts. But how to they send texts back?
je97 1 points 1y ago
If they don't already, they should learn to touchtype asap. The screen reader says what the letters as you enter them, but you need to know where the keys are reliably enough to get the right one every time. I still have trouble with the number keys and I've been blind all my life.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
Assistive technology training is important. Have them get in touch with the state agency vocational rehabilitation for the blind and local blind organization. Some people can come out to help train them.
Furthermore they can also get training on using a cane mobility and orientation and also independent living skills training training them on how to operate day to day and do things around the house as they always was able to do when sighted but as a blind person.
Furthermore they can also get training on using a cane mobility and orientation and also independent living skills training training them on how to operate day to day and do things around the house as they always was able to do when sighted but as a blind person.
arsen_gevorgyan 1 points 1y ago
If they have a smartphone, they can learn how to use voice over (IPhone) or talkback (Android)
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