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Willow tree with branches hanging into a brook.

Charles Bonnet Syndrome: Seeing Images That Are Not There

January 15, 2020 | 1 Comment

by Kathy Austin, CVA

  “It started in a dimly lit restaurant where I was dining with my brother. He gradually disappeared behind tall grasses, shrubs and soon was hidden by a weeping willow tree with a brook running by. I looked to my side, looked back, and my brother was back. The bucolic scene was gone but it […] Read More »

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Man's hand holding out car keys

When is it Time to Give up the Car Keys?

December 13, 2019 | Leave a Comment

by Reprinted with permission from the International Low Vision Support Group Newsletter, Volume 14, Issue 11 – November 2019

  You are the best judge of when driving is no longer safe. But, don’t wait until you have an accident before you give up the car keys.   Signals That Might Mean it’s Time to Give Up the Car Keys You are nervous behind the wheel. Your reactions are too slow due to your […] Read More »

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Cheeseburger on a seeded bun with french fries

What Has Your Vision Loss Done to Your Overall Health?

November 15, 2019 | Leave a Comment

by Polly Abbott, CVRT

It’s easy to get caught up in a daily habit of making many small choices that seem harmless at the time. But, these can end up creating a giant snowball of health-related issues. I am not a nutritionist or health professional. However, over the past 20 years of working with people with vision loss, I […] Read More »

Photo of Amber Miller

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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