Must Have Electronics for the Visually Impaired

If there is a problem with your vision weather it is new or a long term condition there are electronics that will definitely make life easier. The following products are useful and will make time pass more quickly and smoothly. No one likes to wait for a family member or friend to visit to find out what type of mail they got this week, or to help pay their bills.

Some tasks may still take more time then they did when you were sighted but at least with the help of technology you will be performing them independently.

I consider a computer a must for day to day life. A regular computer adapted with screen reading software such as Freedom Scientifics Jaws (Job access for Windows) or window Eyes by GW Micro is worth the extra expense. Adding a scanner and OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software such as Kurzweil 1000 or Open book by Freedom Scientific will allow you to keep track of many things. You can keep track of your checkbook; write a grocery list, read the paper, recipes, phone numbers or email with a screen reader. The scanner will let you convert your paper correspondence into a format that can be read on your computer.

If you join the National Library service for the blind or physically handicapped in your area you will have access to magazines, and books along with a specially adapted 4/track tape player use at your leisure. You can also purchase a portable 4/track player from Maxi aids or ann. Morris for those times when it is necessary to take a book along with you. I recommend something like the Sony Playmate VII which will be easily transported and comes with a carry strap and headphones.
A talking calculator really comes in handy on the days you pay bills. A basic 10 digit model starts out at around $10, and a scientific or financial model can be purchased for around $500. Check out the many different models available now with additional features such as a talking alarm clock or thermometer at Maxi Aids or Ann Morris Enterprises.

A talking caller ID make avoiding those telemarketers easier AT&T makes a wonderful model that has an accessible caller ID and Answering machine, this model can be found at Independent Living aids.

Knowing what time it is is a must for most people so pick up a talking watch or clock at Maxi aids or Independent Living Aids.

If you are one of those people who like to make lists or take notes try picking up a mini cassette recorder at your local department store. They are pocket size and just as easy to use as a pen and note pad… Either Braille or record your information on the computer when you get home.

A simple to use universal remote control can be found at a local department store. If you are a technical whiz you don’t mind the numerous buttons on the new remotes that come with TV’s DVD Players and stereos but my choice would be to have one with the fewest buttons. I want to watch /listen to TV not fight with the remote.

And speaking of TV’s when you purchase a new one make sure you find one with SAP (second audio Programming)capability. A lot of programs now are being broadcast with a description of the program and SAP will give you access to this feature.

There are many different ways to accomplish a task and hopefully this information will be of some use for you or a family member.