Tommy Edison is a blind vlogger who answers questions associated with visual impairment, how assistive technology works and other things that people wonder about.

In this short video, he illustrates why Drive-Thru ATMs may be equipped with Braille. His sense of humor makes each video entertaining and engaging while providing needed education on topics that many people don’t understand.

See how we can help. Visit our list of programs

Why is Braille on the Drive-Thru ATM?

Assistive technology allows many people in America to live more independently. From smart phones to virtual reality headsets, constantly introduced technology impacts every aspect of life for many of us.

But who creates these devices and programs and how does the magic happen? This Mashables article discusses 3 things that developers have learned as they focus more on assistive or accessible technology and how their focus has changed.

To see how we can help with assistive technology, visit this page.

3 Lessons from developers who have embraced assistive technology

In this beautifully written blog, author Nicole shares her view on fear, tackling it head on and living life to the fullest regardless of abilities or disabilities.

As a visually impaired mother with continually declining sight, she has had to face many problems and overcome her fears to move forward. Her blog post is an inspiration.

We can help people going through vision loss. See how.

One Thing That Scares You

 The New Mexico Museum of Space History has recently begun a project to make themselves more user friendly for the blind and visually impaired.

The initial part of the project included a week long camp for visually impaired students to learn more about astronomy. Borrowing and creating models, the museum let students feel miniature versions of various stars and systems to help them understand the scope of what is out there.

The museum plans to expand their offerings to ensure visually impaired visitors are able to fully experience what their exhibits.

To read more about The New Mexico Museum of Space History’s changes, visit the article here.

For more information on the programs that we offer to blind and visually impaired people, visit our programs page.

Museum adds models for visually impaired

Images online are a source of aggravation for many visually impaired web users. Websites don’t always provide accurate or detailed descriptions, or they use the space to game search engines with more key words instead of proving information about what the picture actually is.

Photo recognition software is being developed, but currently doesn’t come anywhere close to the accuracy that the human eye can supply. And that is why Niamh Parsley has developed Depict, a browser add-on to help connect sighted and visually impaired people in need of photograph descriptions.

Although Niamh states that Depict isn’t the final solution, it will help users while we wait for photo recognition software to be more accurate and user friendly.

Read the full article here.

Have you tried Depict? What were your thoughts?

How a Simple Browser Add-On is Changing the Way Visually Impaired People Use the Web

A recent invention uses virtual reality developed for the gaming world to help people with low vision to see in more detail. Using a headset linked to a camera phone, the device allows the user to choose brightness and magnification levels.

Still in its early trial stage, work is still being done to try to make the device less clunky and to minimize issues with nausea that are common.

It’s always exciting to see what is being developed in the realm of assistive technology and this one is no exception.

We can help people going through vision loss. See how.

Visionize uses virtual reality headsets to help people with low vision

Ronnie Fernandez has been legally blind for most of his life, but that hasn’t stopped him from graduating first from university, then from law school. He passed the bar on the first try and is now an attorney at a successful Miami based firm.

Because a majority of his work is done with clients over the phone, he shares the story of a client who he had worked with extensively over many months who didn’t realize he was blind until they met. His visual impairments don’t hinder his job performance and in some ways, have prepared him for his role in the field of law.

Read more about Ronnie’s journey in this article.

Can we help you adjust to vision loss? Visit our programs page to see how we can help.

Legally Blind with the Law on his Mind

It’s amazing what 3D printing has done for the visually impaired. Take this example of a regular guy who decided to create a Braille Rubik’s cube so that his blind friend could experience the frustration that this puzzle has previously only offered to the sighted.

Using 3D printing and numbers instead of colors, the Braille Rubik’s cube is easy to assemble following the detailed (and simple) instructions in this article.

Have you used 3D printing to create assistive technology? Share your comments.

Custom Rubik’s Cube in Braille

Trevor Thomas lost his sight at the age of 35. From the time he began having problems to the time he completely lost his sight was only 8 months and there was little time to adjust before going blind.

He founded Team Farsight, an organization that challenges the misconceptions related to the abilities of visually impaired people and breaks down the barriers between sighted and non sighted individuals.

He also hikes. A lot. Over difficult terrain. Trevor says that “hiking literally gave me my life back.” Providing the ability to be independent and achieve goals on his own, his walks also allow him to enjoy nature in ways that many sighted people miss.

To read 5 questions and responses from Trevor, visit this article.

We can help people going through vision loss. See how.

5 Questions to a Pedestrian: Trevor Thomas, the Blind Hiker

Nearly 65,000 books, magazines and music scores in audio and Braille formats are available through a free mobile app from the Library of Congress. Registered users with Apple or Android devices can use the app which allows “searching, downloading, and reading books and magazines on one fully accessible, mainstream device," NLS director Karen Keninger said in a June 18 press release. "It's a library in your pocket."

For more information on this great resource, view the full article.

Do you have any other good resources for books and magazines in audio or Braille formats? Share yours in the comment section.

Library of Congress gives mobile access to blind, physically disabled users of Android devices

A new GPS unit, call Navi’Rando has made it possible for five visually impaired people to traverse a French mountain without any sighted guides. 

The unit gives precise instructions to hikers using the directions of the hands of a clock to let them know when to and where to turn. Navi’Rando is still in its trial stage, but developers are working to make it work without GPS signal, and in all environments.

The five hikers went equipped with the Navi’Rando and their white canes as their only assistive technology for the walk and spent six days to hike the trail. 

To view the full article, visit this link.

Where would you use the Navi’Rando? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Blind French Hikers Cross Mountain with Special GPS

Just a few years ago, an allergic reaction to a medical procedure caused Steve Gass to lose his sight. Multiple surgeries prolonged limited vision but complications meant that he recently lost all sight.

While still living with some vision, Steve learned to use a white cane, navigate without full vision and learn new activities to keep busy, all of which is thankful for now that he has lost his remaining sight.

Read more of Steve’s positive attitude and what skills he is working on to make living independently possible.

We can help people going through vision loss. See how.

Modesto Man is Learning to Live Well Without Sight

It’s the season of birds. We see and hear them all around us, but often don’t stop to pay attention.

But a group in Maine is promoting birding using sound rather than sight to include visually impaired participants.

The naturalist involved in the project says, “birding by ear puts you a step ahead. There’s a limited field of what you can see, but you can hear things all around you.”

The trend to include sounds in birding is growing with sighted birding groups learning more about the songs of different species. This article includes six tips to learn more about birding by ear that can help sighted and visually impaired birders.

For help with First Steps After Vision Loss, please visit this page.

Falmouth ‘birding by ear’ a hit with visually impaired Mainers

Six tips for birding by ear

In the near future, our $10 bill will be redesigned to highlight a woman who made an impact on democracy during her lifetime. The bill will be released in 2020 and will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Constitution’s 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote.

The U.S. Treasury department is polling the public for their suggestions on which woman of history to feature on the new bill through social media and an upcoming website.

Just as exciting, the redesign will include tactile features to make bills accessible to people with visual impairments.

To read the full article, visit this link.

Which woman would you like to see featured on the new $10 bill?

Finally! Woman to be on new $10 bill

Summertime can be the best time of year for anyone who loves the warmth and outdoor activities. If you’re stuck for ideas of how to keep kids with visual impairments busy, this article rounds up some of the best ideas of the web.

Some of the articles in the roundup look at helpful tips to going new places with your visually impaired child, fun summer activities and orientation and mobility-themed summertime fun.

If you’re looking for some helpful information to keep your kids busy and happy this summer, visit the roundup.

Looking for help with First Steps After Vision Loss? We can help.

Summer Blog Party: Hot Fun in the Summertime for Kids Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

Chris Goodman had 20 years of experience as a mechanic when he started to lose his sight. Now unable to drive, and legally blind, he is back on the job training to do both mechanics and business aspects in new ways.

He is able to tell a lot about what is wrong with a car by smell and sound and uses talking tools to assist him. He is also using the computer system to book appointments and accept payments.

To read more about the program that Chris is working under and his experience getting back to work, visit the article here.

For help with First Steps After Vision Loss, please visit this page.

Veteran mechanic, now blind, back on the job

Beep Ball was created to help people who are blind or visually impaired to get involved in sports and community and has extended to encompass sighted players as well. Sighted players don blindfolds to put them on par with the visual levels of other players.

Using a ball that emits a loud beep, tall bases that make a noise to direct players towards them and sighted guides to assist in directions and safety, beep ball has all the necessary adaptions for the visually impaired.

This video shows the sport and interviews both blind and sighted participants on the challenges and enjoyment of the game. The accompanying article outlines the experience of a sighted player in the game.

Have you tried this sport or another similar sport adapted for the visually impaired? Share your comments below.

When being blind(folded) makes you see

 Paul Demeyer says he sees “through a keyhole” and can’t make out fine detail. Yet, by looking at the big picture, he has become a world class animation film director putting his name to such movies as Rugrats in Paris.

Diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy 25 years ago, Paul took time to take stock of his abilities before moving from animation to directing. He concentrates on “the overall flow and look of scenes and characters” using a small telescope and screen magnifiers to help his eyes.

To read more about Paul’s achievements, visit the article on the LA Times.

Looking for help with First Steps After Vision Loss? We can help.

Vision Disease Can’t Stop Paul Demeyer, Animation Director

When Alex was 12, he witnessed a visually impaired woman struggling to cross a busy street without any assistive technology. It inspired him to try to create something to help people like her.

Over the next few years, Alex worked on creating iAid after school and during holidays. Though he says it took a lot of time and dedication, it has been an amazing experience.

He’s recently won an award for his invention and intends to use the award money to further his creation.

Watch the video of Alex on a morning news program here.

Do you think this invention would be helpful in your daily life? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Nature inspires teen inventor’s navigation aid for the blind

Paul Schroeder is a well known voice of the American Foundation for the Blind as he speaks often on employment and legal issues. He is blind and offers an authoritative view.

In this short news item, Paul shares some thoughts on employment for the blind and visually impaired. He openly discusses that the fault is not one sided and everyone needs to overcome the stigma associated with people with disabilities working in normal jobs.

Hear what he has to say in this short video.

We can help with employment training.

Paul Schroeder of American Foundation for the Blind on Employment for the Visually Impaired

Though a few years old, this video is worth watching again.

Tommy Carroll lost his sight at the age of two. He could have let that define his life, but he hasn’t.

He starting skating at ten years of age and watching him on his skateboard, you would never know that he can’t see the edge of the ramp, or how far down he is going to fly.

Tommy credits safety gear and his ability to listen to the wheels for his success on a board.

To see how we can help you adjust to vision loss, please visit First Steps After Vision Loss.

Tommy Carroll, Blind Skateboarder, Shares Incredible Story in Viral Video

From an interview with Erik Weihenmayer and Amy Van Dyken-Rouen, this article will inspire you to overcome adversity and go for your dreams.

Erik is a blind mountaineer while Amy is an Olympian who was paralyzed recently. Both have worked hard not to let their physical problems keep them from their dreams.

They encourage us to dream big and aim high and will both be speaking at the upcoming No Barriers Summit this summer.

For help with First Steps After Vision Loss, please visit this page.

Harnessing Adversity: A Chat with Erik Weihenmayer and Amy Van Dyken-Rouen

Sargy Mann is a well known painter who began his career with low vision, and continued through vision loss to full blindness.

In this essay, he talks about the strategies he used to paint during the various stages of his vision loss and how he managed to paint once he was completely blind.

His story shows that anything is possible and we shouldn’t let any abilities or disabilities stand in our way.

Do you undertake any creative endeavours? Share your stories in the comment section

Sargy Mann: How a Blind Painter Sees

New assistive devices are constantly entering the market. OrCam takes a different approach.

According to the designers, in a recent interview,
“the OrCam device’s main added value is a core improvement in daily life – the goal is not to augment reality, it is to translate visual information into audio.”

Using a camera that attaches to any pair of glasses, the minute computer takes visual information and feeds it to the user via bone-conduction technology that gives audio cues without blocking the users ears.

The product is still in its infancy, but seems like there may be some potential to assist people living with vision loss.

To see how we can help you adjust to vision loss, please visit First Steps After Vision Loss.

Low Vision Assistive Device by OrCam

A recent campaign from Sport Chek has highlighted the ability of visually impaired runners to enjoy the activity outdoors with the assistance of a running guide.

In this short video, Nic talks about his running career and shouts out commands to his blind running partner. Holding on to a guide rope, the two of them enjoy a run in the bright outdoors.

It’s great to see different ways that visually impaired people can be physically active.

Have you run with a guide or been a guide to a visually impaired runner? Tell us about your experience.

Nic Sweats for This – Sport Chek