Skip to main content
Second Sense - Beyond Vision Loss

Blog

Audio Book Month: National Library Service Player and Audible app on a smart phone

Audio Book Month: Narrators Brings Stories to Life

June 22, 2021 | Leave a Comment

by Kathy Austin

  The last book I read in print was The Osterman Weekend by Robert Ludlum, a CIA spy thriller. It was the second time I had read it and I struggled seeing the print under the dim light of a table lamp. Months later, I took my daughter to the library. I had to ask […] Read More »

Tags:
Man walking with a white cane.

Choosing the Right White Cane: Factors to Consider

May 26, 2021 | Leave a Comment

by Eleni Gaves, COMS

Getting a first cane can seem overwhelming up front. From different sizes to materials and then to cane tips, there’s a lot of variety. And certainly, there is a lack of clarity about what each thing does or why so many variations exist. Add in the fact that you may be wondering how to hold […] Read More »

Tags: , ,
Kitchen tools organized before starting cooking include a tray, magnifier, oven glove, seasonings and the recipe.

The No-Look Cook: Adaptive Cooking for People with Vision Loss

May 6, 2021 | Leave a Comment

by Cody Froeter, CVRT

Cooking is something every person will experience to some degree at some point in their life. Some people detest cooking. Others think of it as just another task that needs to be done. Some people view cooking as a hobby. Others make it a passion or profession. Regardless of the perspective, every person will, at […] Read More »

Tags: ,
Terracotta pots of all different shapes and sizes are perfect for a container garden.

It’s Spring: Start a Container Garden

April 1, 2021 | 1 Comment

by Kathy Austin

When I moved into my home 28 years ago, my backyard was a blank slate. I began digging up parts of the lawn to create flower beds, raised beds and a large vegetable plot. Over the years, some beds have gotten bigger and some have long since been turned back to lawn. I’ve watched the […] Read More »

Tags: , ,

Ready for an Outing? Effective Route Planning Strategies

March 1, 2021 | Leave a Comment

by Brad Blair

  Brad is hosting a route planning workshop on March 17 at 4:30 PM CST via our conference line, 312-809-1004.  This is a great opportunity to ask specific questions about the strategies he shares here.   The Coronavirus seems to be receding — finally. Restaurants, sports venues, movie theaters and art galleries are once again […] Read More »

Tags: , ,
Gear for mobility during winter travel

Winter Travel with Vision Loss:  A Common Sense Approach

January 6, 2021 | Leave a Comment

by Eleni Gaves, COMS and Brad Blair, O&M intern

  Whether you are fully sighted, losing your vision or blind, traveling in inclement winter weather is challenging. It requires planning and adaptations. These tips and methods will help you plan safe, productive travel. Many of these tips are similar to what anyone with 20/20 vision needs to do, but with methods adapted for those […] Read More »

Tags: ,
A large group of pedestrians crossing Michigan Avenue with the Chicago Cultural Center in the background.

GPS for the Traveler with Vision Loss: An Overview

December 15, 2020 | Leave a Comment

by Brad Blair

  Global positioning system (GPS) technology is nearly everywhere. Today, GPS is in nearly every car on the road and every phone carried in a person’s pocket or purse. It’s now taken for granted that if you are planning a route from Chicago to Portland, or even just across town, you will use GPS systems. […] Read More »

Tags: , ,
Setting icon on the iPhone screen

iOS 14 New Accessibility Features

November 18, 2020 | Leave a Comment

by Siobhan Midgley

  For all you iPhone users out there, some exciting new accessibility features have accompanied the unveiling of iOS 14! I’ll discuss some of the new features you may find useful if you have vision loss. Some of our clients have found some iOS 14 updates to be a bit of a nuisance.  If you […] Read More »

Tags: , ,
Person showing off their "I Voted" sticker after votingckground

Understand Your Voting Options this November

October 9, 2020 | Leave a Comment

by Kathy Austin, CVA

Air Never before has there been so much controversy about how we will vote in our National General Election. Today, with the coronavirus spreading, shortage of election officials, controversy about mail-in ballots and post office woes, you have to think carefully about how you are going to vote. November 3, 2020 is Election Day. Whether […] Read More »

Tags: , ,
Compass Directions on the outside of circle are used in creating a mental map

Mental Map: A Tool for Traveling with Less Worry

October 1, 2020 | Leave a Comment

by Eleni Gaves, COMS

  When you travel to a new destination, how do you know how to get there? What steps do you take to prepare so you will find your destination with minimal risk of getting lost? A sighted person can use GPS, consult a physical map, read street signs and look out for visual landmarks. People […] Read More »

Tags: , , ,