Traveling with Low Vision

The following post is by Lauren Tappan:

       Recently I flew by myself to San Diego, California.  It is a daunting task for a low-vision traveler to fly alone.   As mobility is not an issue for me I had considered using the general travel cart that the  average traveler uses to get around an airport quickly.  My previous experience with this has not been good.  Usually the cart is not available when I get to the gate.  I try to make it on my own so as not to  miss my flight.  Usually I am in a panic and have to ask many strangers to make sure I am walking to the right terminal and gate.

         This time I ordered a wheelchair and this made all the difference.  When I arrived in Dallas, TX, I had to take a small airport train to the next terminal.  The train had a digital message board over the door  but no audio announcement of what terminal was available.  I could not read the digital sign.   If I hadn’t had  the wheelchair, I would have certainly missed my connecting flight.

         I found the people that handled the wheelchair   to be very helpful and kind.  The airline got me on the plane before the other passengers which allowed me the time      to make all the adjustments I needed easily.  Having the wheelchair took all the panic out of flying alone for me.  It  all went so smoothly, I will most certainly try it again.

          Hope this works for you.

Clear Reader Plus

The following post is from Lauren Tappan:

 Check out the Clear Reader Plus.  I have found this to be a remarkable treat for anyone with low-vision who loves to read.  It is a piece of equipment that every low-vision center should have.

I will be at the Harwich, Mass. Brooks Free Library on June 15, Friday at 2:00 pm.   They have the best selection of low-vision equipment I have seen in a public facility.  They have a group reader and lively discussions when I was there a year ago.  I am hoping that this service continues.  I will talk about my experience with assistive devices as well as the low-vision blog.

For more info:

http://www.optelec.com/en_US/optelec-clear-reader

Monash Vision to develop Direct to Brain Bionic Eye

The Monash Vision direct to brain bionic eye system will combine state of the art digital and biomedical technology with consumer-friendly glasses.

A digital camera embedded in the glasses will capture images. As your head turns, the glasses, of course, turn with you. Cutting edge digital processors will modify the images captured by the camera; a wireless transmitter will then present the image that you are “looking at” to a chip that has been implanted at the back of the brain. The chip will then directly stimulate the visual cortex of the brain with electrical signals using an array of micro-sized electrodes -the brain will learn to interpret these signals as sight.

Goal: first implants by 2014.

For more info:

http://www.monash.edu.au/bioniceye/technology%20ORIGINAL.html

http://www2.electronicproducts.com/Group_to_test_direct_to_brain_bionic_eye_on_human_patients-article-fajb_bionic_eye_may2012-html.aspx

RFB&D is now Learning Ally!

This entry is posted by Lauren Tappan:

Learning Ally, formerly Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic^®, a nonprofit volunteer organization, is the nation’s largest educational lending-library serving people who cannot effectively read standard print because of visual impairment, dyslexia or other physical disability.

Memberships cost $99 per year.

http://www.learningally.org/Training-Support/Frequently-Asked-Questions/About-Learning-Ally/47/

You should also check out the free NC Library for the Blind.

http://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/lbph/

The NCLBPH offers a wide range of books and magazines. The same book and magazine titles found most other public libraries are available for loan. Materials are in large print, braille, or audio formats. The audio materials are either cassette tapes or digital cartridges. Patrons may read one or more formats of their choice. The cassette tapes are recorded at slower speed than commercially available tapes. Thus, the library also loans specially designed cassette players to patrons who request tape service. Special accessories for the cassette players, such as remote controls, breathe switches, and extension levers, are available to those who need them to use the players. Amplifiers are also available; however, require a separate application signed by a doctor that goes to the National Library Service to be filled. The NCLBPH repairs, at no cost, the tape and digital machines loaned to patrons. A toll-free telephone line for use throughout North Carolina is also offered for book requests, quick service and to answer any questions you might have about the service (1-888-388-2460). The Friends of the NCLBPH’s library newsletter,Tar Heel Talk, is provided quarterly to patrons and is available in all formats.

 

ZoomText 10

This post is from Lauren Tappan.

 I just downloaded a trial version of Zoom Text 10.  The advantage of Zoom Text 10 is that you can now read pdf files and it is much easier to have Zoom Text read web links from your e-mail.  I started having problems tracking my e-mail messages. .  Zoom Text Tech Support was able to help me out and problem solved.  I have found Zoom Text Tech Support very helpful in straightening out any program problems.

      I also suggest looking up AI Squared Zoom In blog as it has more helpful information for low-vision users.

http://www.aisquared.com/blog/

Accessibility Features of Apple’s iOS 5

This article is dedicated to Herb Halbrecht. Herb was always a strong proponent of Assistive Technology, the Apple devices and Accessibilty features. Sadly, Herb passed away Oct 2 from a heart attack. He will be missed… Gail Johnson and John Logan.

Apple users have long known about the company’s commitment to accessibility in most (if not all) of its devices.

In iOS 5–the latest version of the operating system used by the iPhone, the iPad, and the iPod Touch–Apple has provided even more accessibility features for their mobile platform. Apple’s attention to built-in accessibility features allows people with disabilities to use these products right out of the box instead of needing to purchase costly accessibility software.

With the current release of iOS 5, Apple has added the following features:

Text Size Changes
Speak Selection
Hearing Aid Mode
Custom Vibrations
LED Flash for Alerts
Mono Audio
Incoming Call Route
Assistive Touch
The last of these new features is really amazing, so let’s take a look at Assistive Touch in a little more detail. These accessibility features really can help anyone, not just those with certain abilities. Assistive Touch is a way for users with physical or motor impairments to better control their iOS devices. Turn on this feature by tapping Settings > General > Accessibility > Assistive Touch > ON.

When you turn this feature on, you will get a small bubble in the lower, left-hand corner of the screen. This bubble will appear on every iOS 5 screen, and in any application. Tapping on the button will present you with 4 different options: Gestures, Device, Home, and Favorites. This menu is different actions that can be performed with Assistive Touch. Let’s explore the Gestures.

After tapping on the Gestures link, you will see additional buttons for 2, 3, 4, and 5-finger gestures. So, if you need to perform a 2-finger gesture, but can only use 1-finger to perform the gesture, simply tap on the 2-finger button, and then perform the gesture. The iPhone will recognize your 1-figner on the screen as 2-fingers.

Aside from Gestures, you can also tap on Device to get access to the following device settings that would normally require extra button presses:

Rotate Screen
Lock Screen
Volume Up
Volume Down
Shake
Mute/Unmute
For more accessibility features in iOS 5 and the new iPhone 4S, check out Apple’s Accessibility Guide for iPhone or iPad.

How about you? Do you take advantage of any of the iOS accessibility features? Tell us about it in the comments.

Cory Bohon

http://chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/accessibility-features-of-ios-5/36685

Barcode Scanner

This post is from Gail Johnson.

This isn’t for sale yet from what I can tell.  It’s a bluetooth and barcode scanner device.  You wear the finger scanner and run it over a barcode.  It finds information about it and tells you about the item in the earpiece.

The Reading Finger

 

Finger Reader is a fine example of how visually impaired can be more independent in places like a grocery store or shops. The reader is a combination of a finger device and Bluetooth Headset, where the finger-pointer scans products for barcodes and relays the product information to earpiece as audio instructions. Info like product description, price, ingredients, nutrition etc. is easily accessible. I think it will be a good aid!

http://www.yankodesign.com/2011/09/02/the-reading-finger/

 

Big Cursor for Touch Screens

This post is from Gail Johnson.

This is a big pointer or cursor to use on any touchscreen device like your iPad.  It’s magnetic so it will stick to your smartcover or whatever they call that.

It helps keep your Touch Screen clean.

http://www.bigbigcursor.com/#!prettyPhoto/0/

Meavista – Check your vision on your PC for Macular Degeneration

The MEAVISTA program is based on the Amsler Grid with additional advanced functions. It helps to check and monitor your vision for symptoms of Macular Degeneration (MD) and Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Symptoms are the presence of blurred areas and distorted view of objects. The Amsler Grid used in the MEAVISTA program is available with 3 different optional backgrounds.

After easy installation to your computer, this program helps to

- check your vision for the presence of a blurred area or an area with curved lines

- create an outline around a blurred area or an area with curved lines

- see the display of the previously performed check

- see changes and update the outline of an affected area

- see statistics of performed checks

An affected area can be marked with red dots and a blue outline that helps to see future changes of the affected area. This outline can easily be modified and updated according to any changes of the affected area.

Please note that this program does not replace an official eye test or eye exam. For eye tests or eye exams you must contact an eye physician.

http://rcglobal.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=150

iPhone App Allows Patients to Self-Monitor Progress of Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy

Many patients do not have eye tests in a timely fashion to help track degeneration in their eyesight due to age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.  In addition, the 1940′s eye test still used in the doctor’s office often does not detect the incremental changes in vision that can occur with these conditions.

A clever solution has been developed in the form of iphone app myVisionTrack, which is twice as sensitive as the old eye chart, gives results in less than 90 seconds, and can be done at any time on the iPhone.

The test uses a “shape discrimination” exercise, where three circles are shown on the screen.  Patients cover one eye and touch the circle they perceive to be oddly shaped.  This brings up 3 more circles with more subtle differences, and so on.  The exercise is then repeated with the other eye. The app stores the results each time, and if there is a significant change in vision over time, the patient gets a message to see the doctor.

http://eyedocnews.com/005804-iphone-app-allows-patients-to-self-monitor-progress-of-macular-degeneration-and-diabetic-retinopathy/