The Finger Reader

Now this is one invention I am super excited about. Since I came across a news article about it a few weeks ago, I've been thinking of all the ways I could use it and how beneficial it would be to the vision impaired.

The FingerReader is a prototype developed by MIT and is a ring which reads printed text. It really is incredible. Personally, I despise using any magnifiers in public, so I struggle to read things or ask for help. My mind has come up with countless uses for the FingerReader:

• I could actually read the menu for once, instead of making it up!
• I could actually read the price on tags when shopping, especially clothes, so no excuses for spending too much money!
• When I go to sign various forms, I could read through the document myself instead of relying on a dodgy person who really just wants my signature!
• I could tell who the mail is for, instead of opening everyone's mail!
• And the list goes on....

Personally, I don't find magnifiers useful for the above situations. I find that they are usually large, draw attention and time consuming as it takes time to focus on what I'm trying to read. 

I look forward to the progress of the FIngerReader and really hope it come to fruition in the near future.

Check out the MIT website.

FingerReader

Finally a pen I can see!

When I had my consultation with the vision impairment specialist, he suggested I invest in a Pentel pen. Usually he gives a freebie to all his clients but unfortunately he had run out. He said I was able to get the pen from my local Officeworks (stationary shop) and they came in a range of colours.

To my great disappointment, my local Officeworks didn't stock the particular pen, and I had to order them online in a box of 25 all black. So of course I procrastinated because 25 black pens was not appealing to me.

Today turned out to be my lucky day. My friend and I ventured to Officeworks to discover a huge new wall full of pens. Of course we had to try every one out and we found the Pentel I was looking for!

The Pentel's I bought are the S520 Sign Pen (0.8mm). They look like a marker but they write like a pen except in a more bold ink, making it easier to read. It also doesn't seep through the page unlike standard markers. The pens cost me $2.71 each (I bought 7!). 

Definitely worth a try! I highly recommend. 

IOS 7 and VIPs

Today I updated to IOS 7 on my iPad (I use a Samsung mobile). I'm not actually sure if previous versions have as many accessibility features, but I found the most useful feature for my vision was the "Larger type" text feature. It gives you the option to increase the font size in any app that has enabled the feature. Of course I made it almost to the largest and then I tested out all my favourite apps. 

The standard email app is now awesome. The font is enlarged in the content and title of the email and it makes it really easy to use and puts less strain on my eyes. 

The other app I barely used previously was the standard calendar. I found I could never read at a glance what appointments I had so I never used it. The design has changed and it is visually appealing plus the appointments are larger so I can actually see what I am supposed to be doing!

Other apps I use that I've found to be easier to see are: Music, eBay, Maps and Podcasts. I'm assuming the update would also be useful for iPhones, but I found the biggest problem I had with the iPhone was the size of the screen in comparison to the text sizes, which is why I switched to the Samsung.

IOS 7 is definitely worth an update.

New gadgets!

Today I had my second work place assessment to see if I need any more help since my vision has deteriorated. Once again I applied through Job Access, an Australian government reimbursement program. Originally I received my ZoomText software, a large screen and a hand held magnifier.

This time round I didn't really know what exactly I wanted or needed and really just wanted to see what technology was available that would help me. I learnt all about "eye fatigue" and ways to minimise this. Since my job is predominantly computer based, it is important to ensure I sit correctly, which is something I never considered. Usually I sit cross legged on my chair, swing around and use thousands of fluoro post-its. Luckily I am hopefully receiving a foot rest to stop me from sitting like a yogi and an arm for my screen which will help on the days where I am a little more tired and can bring it closer to my face without straining my neck.

I was also shown an array of magnifiers, from hand held to huge star trek looking things and I have been recommended for a few different magnifiers to help with reading long documents. 

I must admit at first the experience was slightly confronting, especially since it is in the work place and sometimes I do worry what people will think, but usually once I show them all the cool gadgets and software they get jealous. It's also hard to accept that I need more help to do my everyday activities and sometimes it takes more effort but the quicker I get over that feeling the better. It's a fact of my life and it's fine. I still manage to work well (I'm quite an exceptional worker if I don't mind saying myself). I am still reluctant to try more speech based applications but I am a very visual person so I am trying to find ways to maintain this.

It was a great shopping experience! Once my application is approved and I purchase my new toys I will share more!

For those that haven't contacted Job Access yet here is the link. It's a great scheme and is not only for vision impairment but any disability. 

Job Access Australia

Bionic eye update

Bionic Vision Australia has had vast media coverage in the past week with there bionic eye prototype. They have inserted the device into the first totally blind patient and she has been able to see flashing lights.

Check out their facebook page for links to articles:

Bionic Vision Australia Facebook Page

And here is their website:

Bionic Vision Australia

Bionic Eye

Have a look at this recent video on the bionic eye. It's crazy how maazing technology can be.

Increasing my magnification

As I have mentioned I use Zoomtext on my work and home computers. I have been using it a x2 magnification since I first got it, especially since I didn't like to slide all over the place too much. Recently I have noticed that I am leaning quite close to the computer to read. I didn't want to admit that I probably needed to increase my magnification.

I persevered for a while, but finally thought I'd give it a go just to see what it was like. So I increased the magnification to x3. What a difference it made. I had to slide across the screen more at work, although I could stay put in my chair and not be leaning in touching the screen with my nose!

I'll admit I'm in denial. I didn't want to increase the magnification because then I'd have to awknowledge my eyes are becoming worse. I know it's silly because it would reduce my strain but it is really hard to accept!!!

I also get slightly paranoid, especially at work, as my screen is so large anybody can read what I'm doing (not that I am ever doing anything wrong!), but it's just uncomfortable knowing that if someone looked over they could read it easily.

Of course I've kept my Zoomtext at x2. I'm really quite stubborn.

How to study with low vision

I have returned to uni this year to study my masters, and I have been having trouble getting back into the rhythm of it all. I study via correspondence, so I do not have to attend lectures, and have all my notes online. I find it hard to read substantial amounts on the computer as I get eye strain and the glare hurts my eyes, plus I have a highlighter addiction and I like to do that on paper (obviously). I have been printing out my notes, but struggle to read them as I have to put them up close to my face and concentrate extra hard, so in turn I lose interest quickly.

I have a hand held magnifier to read paper documents, but I find it quite hard to use, as you have to move it along the line you are reading then when you get the the end to go to the next line, I get confused and re read the same line. It slows down the process of reading and gets quite frustrating. Not to mention if I want to highlight I have to move the magnifier out of the way and then find it in the smaller font. All in all, I don't find the hand held magnifier productive for studying.

So where does that leave me? I've contemplated printing off the documents in larger fonts, although they are quite substantial in length already and I'd use hundreds of pages of paper.

The issue is causing me to avoid studying because it frustrates me and I end up with migraines and eye strain.

Any suggestions?

iPad Verdict

I know some of you have been eagerly awaiting the verdict on the iPad and I have been very slack over the past few weeks with updating you all.

I purchased the iPad 2 about a month ago now and I will say that it has been the most useful purchase I have made in a long time! I have not been able to put it down! I am constantly on it - playing games, checking emails, facebook or reading.

I was most excited to download books I've been waiting to read for some time now and that was the first thing I did. Using the iPad I have been able to read about a book a week. It is so easy and fabulous. I can make the font as large as I want and lie in bed with it and don't have to worry about lighting or how close it is to my face. Books download in less than a minute and I love that you can sample a book before you buy it.

I also use it to the newspaper. You can download an app (I downloaded the Sydney Morning Herald) and it updates every day. You can zoom in and read it in large font. I haven't been able to read the paper in years and now I can! You can also get magazines and cook books which is fantastic, as I find most recipe books have tiny font so I can take my iPad into the kitchen and read a recipe with ease.

I think the iPad is very beneficial for the vision impaired, although it is quite expensive and I don't think it can be subsidised as a visual aid. As mentioned previously I purchased mine for free on a plan with monthly data (which works out I pay the iPad off plus a little extra for the data usage) through Vodafone.

The iPad is definitely worth purchasing. It's capabilities are endless.

Xmas pressie for me

I've been a bit slack with posting in the past week, but I've been SO excited for Christmas!! I've already bought myself a pressie and am waiting for it to be delivered. Yep I gave in and got myself the iPad 2. I've never been so excited to get something and I can't wait to download all the books I've been itching to read and zoom them real big and lie in bed and catch up on what I've been missing. I recently bought a whole lot of books in my denial that I could still read, but I finally faced the fact that I can't and have to give them away. So I'm looking forward to using the iPad to read.

Another thing I can't wait to do on it (which is quite embarrassing) is play all my games that I struggle to play on my iPhone. I am currently addicted to My Town (I know such a childish game) and another game Temple Run. I really am a big kid! Having a bigger screen to play my addictions is probably only going to make my addictions worse, but nevertheless it will be fantastic!

I love ZoomText

ZoomText is my new best friend. After a long wait I finally had it installed on my work computer and I find it amazing. The majority of my job is computer based, and the programs that we use have the smallest font that even perfect sighted people struggle to read at times. I have spent so much time craning my neck and straining to read, and having ZoomText on my computer is probably the best thing I have done so far for my condition. I was finding that I was getting headaches and a sore neck, which I get no more!

I also put the software on my home computer, which I also bought a 27 inch monitor for (and it's HUGE!), and I am in heaven. I'm used to the sliding across the screen now and I can't use a computer without it.

The software has some nifty inclusions - changing colour schemes, changing the mouse so it's bigger or has a circle around it, making the cursor larger and the speech component, which I haven't had the need to use as yet, and when I have people wonder what's going on in my office when they hear a weird, computerised voice coming from it!

I highly recommend the software, it has changed my life!

As mentioned I purchased my ZoomText from Quantum in Australia and their website is below.

Quantum Reading Learning Vision

Zoomtext!

My Zoom Text finally arrived today!!! I am very excited to get it to work tomorrow and load it up! I have been waiting for this software for such a long time so it is a great relief that I finally have it in my hot little hands!


I must thank Quantum for their help, they have been really helpful and so quick to respond to all my queries. Once I purchased the software they sent it straight away. 


I'll keep you all posted on how it goes when I get it into work! I can't wait to read my computer screen with ease!


Check out Quantum, I strongly recommend them for all technology you might need!


Quantum

Finally!

I have FINALLY received my magnifier! I purchased it from Quantum Reading Learning Vision in Sydney and I received it within a day! I am loving having my own Compact Plus I have been using at work and at home. I think a lot of people around the office are jealous of my new gadget! It has heaped me greatly with my everyday work so now I can read paper documents a lot easier. 


It was hard to get use to at first as you have to move it across the page but once I got the hang of it I was loving it! My neck is thanking me as I no longer have to bend over to read things. I can not wait to get the rest of my stuff. It has taken a while but I have finally made progress!


This is me playing with my magnifier at work!

iPhone Magnifiers

I am constantly on my phone and download new apps every day. I'm also constantly texting and for a while now have been having trouble seeing the text on my phone! 


Having an iphone has been a great benefit for me. I finally figured out how to make the text message font larger, and I am currently on the 20pt text which is only the first magnification and it goes right up to 56pt. I could probably use it a bit larger, but I can't face that fact yet!!


I've also found a few apps that magnify text using the camera on the back of the phone. I currently have "Tap Magnify" and "Easy Reader". I personally prefer the "Easy Reader" as it uses most of the screen and uses the flash to illuminate the text when it magnifies. The only thing is it is quite slow to focus. Since I am still waiting on my equipment this is an easy alternative until I get a proper hand held magnifier. Best of all they were both free!! 


Has anybody else found any apps useful?

Help with Adaptive Technology

I've decided to try and organise purchasing my own adaptive technology for work and studying as I seem to just not be able to make it happen any other way. Since I am in between jobs, I find it really hard explaining to new or prospective employers about the condition and what I need to help me work. I also sometimes feel that some workplaces see it as a hindrance, so if I can have all my equipment and bring it in on day one, it just seems so much easier.


One thing I am really looking forward to getting is a hand held CCTV. I am also super keen to purchase one to help me with studying, as reading my textbooks are like torture and I constantly get a sore neck (which serves as a great excuse to get a massage). I was lucky to have Vision Australia lend me one to try out previously and have picked the Compact Plus mostly because it has a big screen and can magnify up to 10 times. 


Quantum based in Sydney, provides such equipment and the one that I am keen to get my hands on. Not only do they have my CCTV but also ZoomText and other adaptive technology like larger CCTV monitors and equipment that converts text to speech. 


At the moment there are only a few things that I feel I need to help me feel more comfortable at work, yet this website has so many other gadgets and software that would be beneficial in the future for me and would be beneficial to those who are at a later stage of the disease.


Check out their website. They are very helpful!!


Quantum Adaptive Technology

Help through technology!

I thought I'd share with you all my long process with accessing assistance technology for the workplace.

Since my diagnosis 18 months ago I have been in contact with Vision Australia to find assistance especially with regards to work. My work is predominantly computer based and I also have to read small text constantly, so I was struggling at work, and most my colleagues noticed I had my nose almost on the computer screen just to see my work!

I found it quite difficult to access assistance. I ended up going through Job Access Australia. To qualify, I needed to work a minimum number of hours per week. Vision Australia also came to my work to do an assessment to see what sort of equipment I needed.

My application was finally approved last week,  and I am on my way to receiving a new, larger computer screen, Zoom text software and also a hand held CCTV for my reading and paper based work! I am ecstatic to finally be getting my equipment so I can eliminate the headaches I get from sitting so close to the computer screen and my work!

The only issue I have had with Job Access is the fact that once you are approved for your equipment, you have to pay upfront and then they reimburse you for the entire amount. This can prove difficult for some people as the total often amounts to thousands of dollars.

Here are the links for both Vision Australia and Job Access. Check them out and see what other support you may be able to receive if you haven't already!

Vision Australia



Job Access