Here are some great ideas for visually impaired people that you might not know about, particularly if your blindness has crept up on you, maybe in your older years.
Most people born blind or become blind in their early years will probably have been told about and supplied with many useful aids that will help them lead an active life. But as we become older and our vision deteriorates we aren't often aware of what is available and with modern technological advances prices are dropping so that the products are more accessible to all.
Being blind you can lose track of time and there are talking watches will keep you informed. But I discovered this table-top talking clock and calender which is really useful. It is self-setting, just place on a window-sill and it will pick up the radio Greenwich meantime signal. Its particularly useful when you are alone. For example in the night you will have no idea of the time, whether it;s daylight or darkness and whether you can afford another 5 minutes in bed. Just reach out, locate the clock and hit the big button on the top and it'll tell you the time. How easy is that.
For sighted people making a hot drink is simple. Put the tea bag or spoon of coffee in a cup, add sugar if necessary and add water. The top up with milk. But imagine if you are blind and can't judge how near the top you have poured the boiling water. This handy water level indicator is brilliant. Firsly it's magnetic so you could always leave it on the fridge door, for example, where you could easily find it.
Slip it over the side of your cup with the prongs inside and our in the water. When the level hits the lower prong it bleeps and vibrates and then when it reaches the shortest prong it bleeps and vibrates continuously. Great result. Now you could stop when it reaches the longest prong, then add mild up to the shortest prong and you'll get a perfect drink, no spills no burns.
For deaf people a useful device is the doorbell/telephone/fire alarm light flasher. This is installed by a competent electrician onto the main lighting circuits and operates on all the lights in the house. When the door bell or telephone rings all the lights in the house switch on and off giving different sequences for the phone and doorbell or even a fire alarm.
With regard to fire alarms the vibrating pillow is another useful aid and this does the same, it alerts you to a fire alarm, but can work off other devices too. The vibrating pillow works of noise and so doesn't have to be hard-wired into the alarm system.
A really simple system for the door-bell is a vibrating or flashing wireless free system, available from many shops. This replaces a standard door bell push. The receiver is carried and when the door=bell is rung, then the receiver flashes or vibrates
Many people with hearing aids still find it difficult to hear the TV without the volume being turned up, which can be a distraction for other people in the room or even neighbours. Fitting a low cost domestic loop system is easy. This is a simple wire that runs around the room, either at ceiling level or floor level. Its plugged into the TV. By changing the setting on your hearing aid to "loop", you'll pick up a clear signal and hear well without being distracted with other background noises.
Most people don't realise that hearing aids just magnify all noises and don't filter out background so its often difficult to use anyway.
Another good device is a portable hearing loop which will be battery operated. It either stands in front of the TV speaker or plugs in. It transmits to the hearing aid. Some people use these in meetings whether the look transmitter is placed on the table centre and picks up all voices.
Use disability aids to improve your life.
We are a disability access consultancy and welcome access audits and other commissions. See our clients at http://accessaudit.blogspot.co.uk/p/client-selection-past-and-present.html and our access audit page at http://accessaudit.blogspot.co.uk/p/book-access-audit-now.html
When the Disability Discrimination Act was announced hundreds of Access Consultants suddenly appeared and major Companies felt the fear of not complying. Consultants were pulled in and audits carried out resulting in huge reports with minute detail of barriers and other hurdles that needed adjusting to increase access.
Now most architects have taken the access issue on board when designing new buildings, mainly because they have to show it has been a consideration in new build and have had to provide an access statement.
It is strange, however, that many didn't include any consulting with disabled people to see what they needed or in fact wanted. The very group that the legislation was aimed at to improve their access and indeed quality of social life. Unfortunately the result has been mixed. Many organisations have taken steps to implement some recommendations, a few have implemented everything but many have taken no action at all. In fact I recall calling on a store that was part of a national chain and talking to the manager to see if they had ben audited. His answer was "We aren't going to bother. If we are sued then we will make changes before getting to court" And that seems to have been a common reaction.
So has the whole issue died away and disabled people are putting up with bad access? I think in general that access is "so so" but certainly not good. In buildings with front steps many Companies bought ramps but I've seen many gathering dust in cupboards. Users generally shie away from these barriers and just go elsewhere if they can. Some have told me its too much bother that they will just get on with life.
But is this good enough? Shouldn't we still be looking at existing buildings and seeing what can be done. Much involves little or no cost, maybe a new procedure. And if adjustments cannot be made at a reasonable cost then alternatives can be introduced. Although there is a legal obligation isn't this equally a moral issue? Shouldn't we be looking after everyone in our society.
If you feel an access audit would help you and would increase the footfall in your business call me. I work pragmatically and always consult with disabled users wherever possible. Sometimes access can be improved with a bit of imagination and creativity.
"There is so much to do here to make the building accessible that we can't afford it!" "We are on rhe first floor so we can't get disabled people in here"
Both these statements are wrong. Both are said be people who are either mis-guided or don't want the trouble that they imagine disabled people would be. And when you speak about disabled people most think of just wheelchair users.Wheelchair users make up a tiny number. Many have impairments you wouldn't even know about. Look around you now. How many people can you see who have a heart condition, bad ashma, can't walk far or up steps, have poor eyesight or can't hear very well. The list goes on. A bit like an iceberg. We only see the tip.
So you should be thinking about an access audit if you haven't done so already. It's not too late.
Up til now most cases that have been brought against businesses in relation to disability discrimination have been settled out of court and so you don't know about them but it is happening. I think that this is going to change. On the whole disabled people have been patient and understanding. Well! In many cases they don't know their rights and often they don't feel they can make a difference.
An access audit is completed with a report laying out the steps you need to take to make your business accessible to all. Many are written by surveyors and architects and give exact specifications and are couched in technical terms. This is great if being read by some-one with the knowledge. But often the facilities manager or person responsible doesn't undestand and just passes the list onto a builder. When the work is complete they have to rely on the builder that the work is technically correct.
Mike Leahy writes script reports in layman's language that are easily understood and include the reason for the adjustment too. He takes a pragmatic apprioach and often knows of a quick fix or low cost adjustment. He'll also grade recommendations so you can deal with the priorities first and perhaps leave the "best practice" items til last.
If you haven't assessed what is necessary or taken any action do so now. It will ensure you comply with the legisltaion but equally important will broaden your customer base.
Being blind you can lose track of time and there are talking watches will keep you informed. But I discovered this table-top talking clock and calender which is really useful. It is self-setting, just place on a window-sill and it will pick up the radio Greenwich meantime signal. Its particularly useful when you are alone. For example in the night you will have no idea of the time, whether it;s daylight or darkness and whether you can afford another 5 minutes in bed. Just reach out, locate the clock and hit the big button on the top and it'll tell you the time. How easy is that. 
Slip it over the side of your cup with the prongs inside and our in the water. When the level hits the lower prong it bleeps and vibrates and then when it reaches the shortest prong it bleeps and vibrates continuously. Great result. Now you could stop when it reaches the longest prong, then add mild up to the shortest prong and you'll get a perfect drink, no spills no burns.
