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" (www.guidedogs.org)