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Blind and Visually Impaired Community

Last sync: 1y ago
5
Household accessibility tips/tools for vision loss? (self.Blind)
submitted 17h ago by androdragynous
Short question version:
Are there any items you've gotten for your household or daily life that have been useful for living with limited or no vision?

Long question version:
I've been steadily losing my vision for the past few years, and was finally told two days ago that there isn't currently any chance for recovery. I'm currently still able to see color, light, and vague shapes, but everything is VERY blurred and doubled and I have a lot of light sensitivity, and it notably worsens over the course of months. Paired with mobility issues, it's really impaired what I'm able to do, especially as the degeneration continues.
On the recommendations of friends, I've gotten silicone guards for my oven racks, talking clocks, ceramic pot minders, as well as the usual things like magnifiers. Now that I know there's no chance of recovering my vision, I want to make things as easier on present and future me as possible while I still can; does anyone have any things to buy that they'd recommend, or other tips for things they'd done (or wish they'd done) to prepare for a life without vision?
Thank you for any advice you can provide, and I don't use Reddit very often, so I'm sorry if I'm not doing this right.
Tarnagona 11 points 16h ago
My suggestions would be:

1) Learn how to use the accessibility features of your phone (if you aren't already). There are a bunch of useful apps for blind and low vision folks, including ones that read printed text. And if all else fails, there are services like Aira and Be My Eyes that connect you with a sighted person who can look through your phone's camera and answer your questions.

2) Get a home assistant like a Google Home or Amazon Alexa. I use my Google Home all the time, from setting timers, to listening to music, to answering questions, to getting the weather. It's all voice operated so doesn't need any sight once it's set up.

3) You might also consider some smart lights. I now have some RGB smart lights which are actually pretty great, because I've found the most comfortable colour and brightness for my eyes (the average lightbulb is too bright, and a very harsh light). Bonus, Google will turn the lights on and off for me.

4) Bump dots on the knobs and buttons on your appliances. I've just used blobs of sticky-tac because I rent and want to be able to remove them when I move out, but you can go for more permanent solutions like blobs of puff paint or tactile stickers. Mark the tops of stove and washing machine knobs, the five and the start button on the microwave, that kind of thing.

5) If you haven't already gotten Orientation & Mobility training, and Independent Living Skills training, I highly recommend it. They can teach you how to do all sorts of things with limited or no vision, and give you way more house accessibility tips, plus teach you navigation and how to use a white cane (which I also recommend). These vision loss rehabilitation specialists are the best people to talk to in your situation.
rpp124 1 points 24m ago
Good tips and I will add getting other smart devices that you can access through your phone. I just ordered a Bluetooth meet thermometer because I can’t read the display on the current one I have, but will be able to use voiceover for the one I just ordered when it connects to my phone.

Also, can you recommend some of the apps that read printed text? I had a look for these a while back, but hadn’t found anything that works well.
LilacRose32 5 points 17h ago
The best value accessibility purchase I’ve made was a pack of stick on gems from a £1 shop.

I’ve put them on keys, buttons and dials. I do see a little but not having to is sometimes a relief.

I also have a heating system I can control from my phone which is useful
Royalstewartplaid 5 points 15h ago
I am low vision in decline with no chance of recovery. I recommend keeping furniture where it is, counting steps to and from certain places, consider different floor textures to help know which room you are in or entering.
TwoSunsRise 4 points 15h ago
Sticky dots! Stick those on microwaves, washer/dryers, ovens, etc. Start organizing your food medicine, etc to where you know what is where and try not to change it up very often. Try to stay away from furniture with sharp corners or edges as they will tear your shins up.

Practice walking around the house with your eyes closed to get the layout down very well.

You got this, good luck with everything! ☺️
Carol6lou 5 points 14h ago
I’ve starting making adjustment to my home too. Few things I’ve done recently are
-bump dots on most appliances, getting used to doing things by feel rather than sight.
-organising cupboards and fridge with storage organiser, everything having their ‘own place’ so I remember where they are. Spices are in alphabetical order. I also bought a photo organising box that has 18 photo storage boxes inside. Instead of storing photos I store each box with different medicine and bandages etc and label each so Seeing AI app can read it out for me
-contrasting chopping boards
-saw a one cup kettle while I was at an O&M training centre and loved it so I bought one. It’s basically a machine that you put your cup in and it fills it enough with hot water for your tea. No pouring or burning yourself
- solar light strips along my pathway to the front door

I plan on getting smart lights to work with my Alexa and motion sensor lights throughout the house. I love hearing more ideas
OhNoMrsBill 2 points 17h ago
My dad is blind and where he lives the county contracts with Lighthouse for the Blind. They sent someone out to his house to do an assessment on how to make it more adaptive and to offer suggestions for safety and convenience. They made several visits to the house, and also met him at his athletic club to advise him and the club on how to make his gym visits more blind friendly. They even convinced him as to why using a white cane would be helpful, as it was a bit difficult for him to initially accept his vision loss (due to cancer). They gave him a new white cane on rollers and taught him how to use it. I would suggest you check with your county to see if they offer similar services. The other thing I found was that the local waste removal company offers a service for disabled people where they will haul the can to the curb and replace it back at the house if you request it and have a documented disability. I hope this helps and gives you a place to start to get some services or ideas tailored to you that you might not otherwise know of.
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