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Why I Love Being a Visually Impaired Person

October 15, 2019 | 5 Comments

by Amber Miller, Guest Blogger

  There are plenty of challenges that come with blindness. Cats lounging on camoflaging area rugs. Eye contact. Stairs…bedeviled stairs. There are, however, some unexpected perks. It sounds cool. The acronym VIP makes me feel important. ‘Nuff said. Fewer distractions. When performing a reiki session, intuitive reading, or even getting to know someone on a […] Read More »

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Weller, a beautiful black lab puppy, looks up at the camera

Special bonds: Guide Dog Handlers and Their Puppy Raisers

September 13, 2019 | 8 Comments

by Kathy Austin, CVA

  Puppy Raisers A lot of love, hard work and dedication go into the first year of life for a guide dog puppy. Who does this kind of work? Families of all sizes, single men and women, kids in 4H and FFA, grandparents and college students, just to name a few. They have all done […] Read More »

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Scene of the Chicago River at light

Traveling at Night: It’s a Cinderella Story

August 15, 2019 | Leave a Comment

by Rachael Eschbach, COMS

  Do you turn into a pumpkin if you are not home by a certain time? For Cinderella, midnight was her unforgiving curfew.  But for many people with vision loss, it’s around dusk. Many adults with partial vision express that they have more challenges when it becomes dark outside. Although they may travel freely and […] Read More »

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WINDOWS + A is a quick keystroke to take you to the Action Center where you can manage all your notifications in Windows 10

Saying Good-Bye to Windows 7

July 22, 2019 | Leave a Comment

by David Flament

It is time to say goodbye. Yes, it is time to say goodbye to Windows 7. Many of you may be saying, “No I love my Windows 7! I don’t want to switch to Windows 10.” So, why do you have to upgrade to Windows 10? Microsoft has been saying support for Windows 7 will […] Read More »

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Simple with Siri: Making an iPhone Accessible Regardless of Tech Know-How

July 2, 2019 | 4 Comments

by Cody Froeter, CVRT

With technology’s ever-progressing advancement, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed when considering a new smartphone. Smartphones, particularly iPhones, are impressive devices that can perform a plethora of tasks and settings out of the box. With accessibility features and apps, there are even more options available to users.   Start with the Basics The beauty […] Read More »

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Mary Pat uses her cane to detect the back wall of her house and the beginning of the patio.

Learning to Use a White Cane: Mary Pat’s Journey

June 12, 2019 | Leave a Comment

by Cheryl Megurdichian

Learning to use a white cane can be terrifying. You have to trust this simple tool to find your way in a world that can be very complicated – from cracks in the sidewalk to traffic signals to electric cars that make no noise. For 20 years, Mary Pat let fear dictate part of her […] Read More »

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iPhone with visual assistance app, Aira.

Live Visual Assistance: Comparing BeMyEyes and Aira

May 23, 2019 | Leave a Comment

by David Flament

Sometimes, you just need to borrow a pair of eyes! Today, that personal visual assistance has become a reality with two apps, BeMyEyes and Aira. With the improvements in cameras on smart phones, a live person is ready and willing to assist. Aira and BeMyEyes are two apps that connect you to a person who […] Read More »

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Rosemary standing with her Seeing Eye dog, Clyde next to her artwork, Underwater Cave.

The Power of Art

May 1, 2019 | 2 Comments

by Rosemary Fortney

  Born an Artist Drawing and being an artist was always in my genetic makeup. It has developed through years of art exploration and fine arts studies at Mt. Mary University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Cardinal Stritch College in Fox Point. Art to me is the warmest, most fulfilling experience of my life.  Sharing something […] Read More »

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Andrea with Fiona in San Francisco during guide dog training

The Importance of Trust

April 15, 2019 | 2 Comments

by Andrea O'Donnell

  Meeting My Girl I will never forget the day I met my first guide dog, a beautiful black Labrador retriever named Fiona. It was around 1:00 in the afternoon, and I was patiently waiting in my room at Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) in San Raphael, California. I could hear the sounds of […] Read More »

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Gear for mobility during winter travel

Weathering Mobility Challenges Season to Season

April 1, 2019 | Leave a Comment

by Rachael Eschbach, COMS

Mobility in Every Season Chicago! It’s so wonderful to have all four seasons. Of course, every season presents its own set of challenges when traveling with vision loss. Here are some of the mobility problems that crop up season-to-season.  And some tips for overcoming them.   Winter Ice Ice is something that worries everyone, vision […] Read More »

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