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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 »

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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 »

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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 »

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Two shish kebabs on the grill_Adaptive Grilling

Summer Grilling: An Extension of Your Adaptive Kitchen Skills

September 1, 2020 | Leave a Comment

by Cody Froeter, CVRT

  Summer is still here! For many folks, that means there’s still time to fire up the grill for some great barbecuing! If you have vision loss, barbecuing can seem like a daunting task. In reality, adaptive grilling skills are incredibly similar to adaptive kitchen skills. With any cooking task, safety is always a priority. […] Read More »

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The iPhone 11

Life Without a Home Button

July 28, 2020 | Leave a Comment

by By Cody Froeter, CVRT

  For many individuals with vision loss, an iPhone is an essential tool for accomplishing a wide variety of daily tasks. The Home Button was one feature of an iPhone that many of my clients found useful. It was not only used for performing tasks, but it was a tactile landmark on the screen when […] Read More »

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Kathy's coronavirus garden

Looking Back at the Pandemic: What Are You Grateful For?

June 15, 2020 | Leave a Comment

by Kathy Austin, CVA

Could any of us have imagined on New Year’s Day 2020 what our world would be like just five months later? We have been isolated from our family, friends and co-workers. We may have taken ill with COVID19 or have grieved the loss of a loved one. We may have felt lonely during these past […] Read More »

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Kathy's guide dog, Rowen, patiently waiting on the front porch during the coronavirus

Keeping Your Guide Dog Sharp During the Coronavirus

May 7, 2020 | 5 Comments

by Kathy Austin, CVA

Rowen is a go-go, very active guide dog. When our stay at home orders were imposed because of COVID 19, I was a little concerned that our walks around the neighborhood for exercise wouldn’t be quite enough for him. My neighborhood is quiet with little traffic, very different from downtown Chicago on a busy weekday […] Read More »

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Emergency vehicle rushing down a city street

A Lifesaver in Your Pocket: How to Set Up Your Medical I.D. Profile

April 8, 2020 | 2 Comments

by Kathy Austin, CVA

These are scary times. While there is much we cannot control, there are some things we can do to make sure we are prepared if the worst happens. Especially now, with the Coronavirus circulating through our communities at a rapid pace. You want to make sure first responders know a little about you and how […] Read More »

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crowd of colorful figures representing people

Why You Should Participate in the 2020 Census

March 9, 2020 | Leave a Comment

by Second Sense

Your invitation to participate in the 2020 census should arrive in your mailbox this month.   Why Does the Census Matter to You? Here are some very important reasons: Transportation Billions of dollars in federal funds are distributed for transportation projects. This includes public transit, accessible pedestrian signals, truncated domes at intersections. Projects that improve […] Read More »

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Apple Watch 4 offers fall detection

The Apple Watch: A New Tool for Fall Detection

February 14, 2020 | Leave a Comment

by Cody Froeter, CVRT

  For many older individuals, falls are a major concern that can have serious consequences. According to the CDC, more than one in four seniors 65 years and older fall each year. People with vision loss have almost double the risk of experiencing a fall. These falls can lead to a lower quality of life, […] Read More »

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