Please help: The Importance of Access for the Blind

[Christopher]

I figured folks in this group would understand the importance of technology and entertainment. And so would understand the importance that access of said is to everyone. So I am going to leave this link here and hope you help.
http://www.afb.org/section.aspx?Folde...

[mark, personal space invader]

I agree with supporting this and just updated the topic title to make it a bit more clear what this is about. wasn't sure if I should use "blind" or "visually impaired" but since the website uses the former, that's what I went with.

[Christopher]

Thanks, sorry i wasn't more clear. And yes we tend to use the word blind. Or legally blind in some cases. The PC terms change so often i am never sure what I am supposed to be offended by from week to week.

[Mickey]

I take care of my 86 year old mostly legally blind mother that has macular eye disease in both eyes that lives with me.
I try to make her life as Independent as possible.

She can watch television a little but she has to keep her chair within two feet of the 40 inch TV.

I have gotten her an atomic self setting speaking watch that speaks the time and date when she presses just one of only two buttons on the watch.

I have gotten her a talking home wall phone that speaks the name on the caller ID that who is calling. The phone also has few big buttons that she can make out the location on the phone. The phone also has a talking phone book (I pre programed ) with names of her most called friends, doctors and places (about 30 names and numbers programmed into the phone that speaks to her). One of the numbers is my cell phone in which I keep with me at all times, even when working outside and she does not know where I am.

A weather alert single machine button for knowing the weather.

A remote control with her favorite shows in which she can change with a single favorite button she knows on the remote. Same with the radio. She mostly prefers shows that are talking shows like the news that are not so visually orientated.

For some reason she does not like talking books? I think it because of losing track of the story.

I have several bottles of different shapes, sizes and colors in which I put her medications into. All medicine bottles have the same shape and size that are not good for visually impaired people. She knows now by heart which medicine she needs without being too dependent upon others.

Extra meals in microwave plates for between meal snacks. She can make out the location of the single reheat button for beverages and meals.

I take her anywhere she wants go, market or shopping, I have to tell her how much everything is on those tiny labels.

One thing my mom does have is, that she still has a very sharp mind and her health otherwise is still very good.

Sorry if this is the wrong forum for such a topic. But technology has made her life a little more independent.

[Mickey]

For me, I cannot wait for the google car to become common place :)