Vision Impaired
Living with Vision Loss
(Source: American Foundation for the Blind)
If you are among the more than 10 million
people in North America who are visually impaired, you know how
important it is to find ways to accomplish routine daily tasks. These
are the skills that enable you to:
Live independently and productively
Read and write
Raise a family
Have a social life
Travel
Maintain a career-or launch a new one
Enjoy recreational sports and games
In short, lead a normal life
These are goals that can be achieved. With the help
of specially trained rehabilitation teachers, orientation and mobility
specialists, low-vision specialists, and vision rehabilitation
therapists, you can learn the essential skills for living with vision
loss. They include:
Independent living -
Use the wide range of specialized adaptive devices and techniques for
adapting your home and caring for yourself.
Communication -
Continue reading and writing by switching from standard reading material
to large print books and newspapers; using writing guides or
magnification programs for the computer screen. Maintain everyday skills
with specialized time-telling and telephone devices; a fool-proof method
of identifying coins and bills when shopping; identifying and storing
food, etc. Develop computer skills for staying in touch with family and
friends via e-mail, handling banking and investment tasks, and much
more; learning Braille; making effective use of an ever-expanding range
of technological devices.
Mobility - Use
specific orientation and mobility techniques, and tools for getting
around safely-in your home, around your neighborhood, and on trips to
distant places.
Low-vision devices -
Take advantage of the many low-vision optical and adaptive devices that
help you to see better.
For more information go to
American
Foundation for the Blind
Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program
Assistive Technology
CAP's mission is to provide assistive technology and accommodations to
ensure people with disabilities have equal access to the information
environment and opportunities in DoD and throughout the Federal
government.
Check out enabling technology for the vision
impaired at
Enablemart
Links:
American Council of the Blind - National advocacy
organization for people with vision impairments.
American
Foundation for the Blind - National nonprofit organization
devoted to serving people with visual impairment through the collection
and dissemination of information, the identification and resolution of
legislative issues, and education of the general public.
Blind Links - Links to a variety of resources for
people who are blind.
Blinded Veterans Association - Promoting the
welfare of blinded veterans through service programs, groups and
benefits.
Library for
the Blind and Physically Handicapped - Library of Congress
Talking and Braille books.
National
Federation of the Blind - Advocates for issues affecting
those with visual impairments.
Recording for the
Blind and Dyslexic - Provides textbooks, educational and
reference materials to people who cannot read standard print.
Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind - Jobs, training, and
vocational services for people who are blind. On-line shop.
Guide Dogs
Southeastern Guide Dogs "Paws for Patriots" (http://www.guidedogs.org/)