Reading After Vision Loss
Whether you like to read for enjoyment or need to check your mail, reading is an essential part of your day. We're sharing tips and tricks for how to continue reading, the best low-tech and high-tech gadgets, and the benefits of learning braille.
Hadley Presents
Reading After Vision Loss
Presented by Ricky Enger
Ricky Enger: Welcome to Hadley Presents. I'm your host, Ricky Enger, inviting you to sit back, relax, and enjoy a conversation with the experts. In this episode, we explore options for reading after vision loss. Our guest is Hadley learning expert Steve Kelley. Welcome to the show, Steve.
Steve Kelley: Hey, Ricky. Thanks for having me.
Ricky Enger: Yeah, great to have you back. For those of you that don't know you, maybe this is their first episode, why don't you just give a quick intro and tell us a bit about yourself?
Steve Kelley: People may have heard me on one of three discussion groups that I'm a part of, Get Up and Go is one, Crafting Circle, and Book Nook. I'd love to see anybody who hasn't already heard those join in. Then my day job is working with you in the tech group, which I absolutely love.
Ricky Enger: Yeah, we have a fantastic time and I think it's interesting that you are a co-host on Book Nook, and I think that experience will certainly come in handy for our topic today. I know that you've done some work in the field with people who have experienced vision loss, and you have some personal experience with that too, so just really looking forward to diving into this topic because there's a lot here to cover. What we're talking about today is reading after vision loss, which is a pretty broad topic and there are so many different things that we can cover because there are lots of different ways even to think about reading. Are you reading for pleasure? Are you reading because you have to? Once you decide that, then how are you reading? What's available? What techniques can people use? I think a lot of people just don't know what's available, so that's why we wanted to have this discussion.
I guess we'll start with what happens when someone is starting to lose their vision. Maybe it's gradual or maybe it's very sudden, but in either case, there's probably some change in how they're reading. Maybe they're trying to read in the same way they always have, but it's not as easy as it once was. So, there's this adjustment period. What kinds of things do people try when they're in that period of figuring out, hey, I still want to read but I'm kind of struggling?
Steve Kelley: Oftentimes, when I was working as a vision rehab therapist, I would often show up and somebody would pull out grandpa or grandma's handheld magnifier from the 1930s or something like that. They oftentimes were not having a whole lot of success with it and just weren't sure why. I've just seen all kinds of other things like that. Sometimes there's stuff in the TV that we see, or you walk into a box store and there are some handheld magnifiers there. Unfortunately, a lot of times, they don't work as well as people think they're going to. The reason is because one size doesn't fit all. There's just all kinds of different things out there. Handheld magnifiers are great device, don't get me wrong, but you want one that fits where your vision happens to be. That's where I saw the failure in that method happening, was people just weren't really having an assessment and figuring out which one was going to be the best one.
Ricky Enger: Well then, how do people know? I'm sure this too is not a one size fits all. I think there's this feeling that if I just try hard enough, I can make this work and maybe I'm the problem or I'm not using it right or maybe this will just get better if I keep at it. How do people know then when it's time to investigate some other technique that might be a little more successful?
Steve Kelley: One of the things that I've observed both personally and with clients in the past is that none of us likes change. Maybe I should just speak for myself, I certainly don't like change. So those of us who have spent most of our lives reading with our vision, that's what we want to hang onto, and we are going to hang onto it tooth and nail no matter what happens.
Let me just give you a quick story. When I started a master's degree about 18 years ago, I showed up on campus and we had done some reading beforehand and I was woefully behind in my reading and that's not really who I am. But at the time, I was doing my reading with a handheld magnifying glass because I had always read visually and highlighting and putting notes in the textbook, the printed textbook, which by the way, was just in regular print. It wasn't working. I knew it wasn't working, but I wasn't willing to do anything differently because that's the way I had always done it.
One of the students who was blind in the workshop seemed like she was all caught up and knew all of the answers and everything, so I finally said to her, "How are you doing this?" And she said, "Well, I went to the Office for Students with Disabilities and I got the text on a CD and I'm just using my computer to do the reading text to speech,” which is where the computer or whatever device you happen to be using is just reading everything on the screen out loud to you. And I'm like, "Oh, the Office for Students with Disabilities."
Here's the thing. I did not see myself as somebody with a disability, but because of the frustration and also being concerned about my grades and all of that other stuff, that's where I was the very following morning at eight o'clock filling out the paperwork and getting my CD with it. Then I put it on my computer, and I started using the text-to-speech, which I had some familiarity with.
It wasn't smooth and it wasn't seamless, and I didn't get it at first. It was a bit of a struggle, but it was a heck of a lot better than what I was doing with the handheld magnifier. I just kept at it because that's what I needed to do in order to succeed in those classes. I don't think that I'm not that much different than a lot of other people. I have to remind myself to be mindful about efficiency and trying things differently when things aren't working.
Ricky Enger: Yeah. I guess it really does take some kind of motivator because change really is hard and perhaps you have to have something that you're trying to accomplish that's just become too frustrating to ignore that may get you to that point. Perhaps you're proactive and you're learning things before you necessarily need them, which may also make that transition easier. I guess it's different for everybody.
Steve Kelley: You bring up a really good point. I should say, I just spoke to somebody on the phone within this last week who was being extraordinarily proactive. She's an 85-year-old writer. She has things that she needs to write, and she was checking in with vocational rehab and learning how to use the iPhone and then VoiceOver on it so that she could master it because she wanted to continue doing those things. She still had some functional vision, so she was being very proactive, and I just really applauded that personality type. It's just not mine, but there are people out there who do that and that's wonderful.
Ricky Enger: I guess there are, well, I guess at least two types of reading. There's reading because you want to, curling up with a good book, reading for pleasure, and then there's reading because you have to. I want to know which mail is junk mail or how do I cook this thing or what medication is this. Why don't we talk about ways that people can do that necessary reading. Are there devices or products that are available that are really well suited to that kind of reading?
Steve Kelley: This is a great distinction that you bring up because that piece of mail that just came in or that quick short note or label that you need to read, a lot of those things can be quickly and easily done with a good handheld, for sure. In fact, my go-to magnifier is just a 5X Bausch & Lomb magnifier that I have in my right pocket every single day. It's really not a great magnifier because there's no light on it. In most situations, I can do what's called spot reading with it. I can see enough of it to know what's going on. That's the low-tech approach. The other go-to thing is I've always got my phone on me. It's a smartphone. Oftentimes, I open up the camera, use the magnification gesture on that to make things a little bit larger, again, for spot reading. You're not going to read a magazine article or anything like that.
Then when you have something that you really want to read for pleasure, like a magazine article or a book or something, then you have a whole new set of tools perhaps in your toolbox. I always think of it in terms of a toolbox because there's not just one device that's going to do this stuff. You might have a pair of reading glasses. You might have that handheld magnifier. Or maybe you’ve got a desktop video magnifier where you’ve got a platform and you put your cookbook or other reading material right on the platform and above that is a camera that takes a picture of the text and puts that up on the screen, so then you can zoom in or magnify and it makes it easier to read. Again, for me, if I'm doing research, then I completely switch to text-to-speech almost entirely. I just use something on the iPhone or my computer that reads the text on the computer screen because I can always pause it and go back and that sort of thing.
I too make a real distinction between what I'm reading, say for pleasure, or what I'm just reading real quickly like the mail or something like that and it's something that's a little bit more complicated or more in-depth. I know that you read in different ways too, and I suspect that you too have a way that you'd prefer to read something that's a little bit more in-depth versus, say casual or pleasure reading, right?
Ricky Enger: Yeah, definitely. I have no vision, so if I'm reading something that's the equivalent of spot reading, I too am going to use a tool on my smartphone. Whether it is something like an app called Seeing AI, and hey, we have information on the Hadley website about that. So, there's Seeing AI. There's an app called Envision. These are apps that allow you to get just a quick and not always super accurate, but accurate enough idea of that text, enough to figure out, oh, this is junk mail, oh, this is that business card that I wanted to call the person back to come mow my lawn or whatever. Those are the kinds of things that I would use for spot reading, either that or I would get some visual assistance. Now that could be someone in my home or more often than that, I will choose to use a visual interpreting service. This is a thing where you can call somebody up using your phone with a camera.
Generally, they're smartphones, but there are a couple of less smartphones that also have this capability where you can, again, call the person, they can see what's happening through your camera, give just that quick spot reading for you, and then off you go about your day. That's what I do for spot reading. Then for something that's a little more involved, whether it's pleasure reading or something that's going to take a lot longer to read, then I'm probably on my computer or perhaps I'm reading it in braille, lots of different ways to go about reading that longer text. Why don't we talk then about that? If you're doing some research or you're reading a long article, or again, if you're curling up with that good book for pleasure, what do you tend to use?
Steve Kelley: If I'm pleasure reading, I will probably get something that is narrated by a human being. These days, if I'm pleasure reading, I am going to go to Audible where you've got a human-narrated book, or actually I'm first going to check to see if it's on Talking Books. If it is, then I'm going to download it because that's a human-narrated book. It's enjoyable. I just really love reading that way for pleasure. Although oftentimes, I'm not reading for pleasure, and in that case, then I'm going to download the book as digital text. Usually, I'll use something like Bookshare, but not always. I might just download something off the internet or whatever and then I'm going to use text-to-speech. It's usually my iPad. I'm either going to have VoiceOver read it to me or I'm going to use a Voice Stream Reader or one of the other apps that will read it because I want to be able to go back to reread certain sections. I want to be able to put a bookmark in. I still like to highlight, and I like to add notes, and you can do that with all of those different apps. That's definitely the distinction between the two for the most part and I definitely have a preference, for sure.
Ricky Enger: Yeah. I'm much like you in that there are those same tools in my toolbox. We mentioned talking books, that's the NLS BARD service and we'll have information about that in our show notes, of course. Bookshare, another service that allows you to download texts. But in all these cases, we're reading them, in your case, you could use magnification on your computer screen or again, text-to-speech. It just feels more efficient, especially if you have a situation where you have vision that is only good for so many hours. If your eyes are getting tired, you want to use that vision for something that you don't have an alternative for. So, reading in text-to-speech could be a lot easier on your eyes whether or not you can still see that large print. I think it's interesting that we do, again, have the same tools in our toolbox. It's audio, whether it's text-to-speech or whether it's a human narrator. Did you have any techniques that got you more accustomed to not looking at that text as it was being read?
Steve Kelley: Yes and no. Again, it wasn't really anything that I can take any kind of credit for. It's one of those things where it came down to efficiency. When you start realizing that your efficiency using your vision is really slow, it becomes a lot more appealing to listen to it. That's part of that transition where maybe you might be frustrated at the time and gosh knows I was and still am sometimes. As you start making progress with some of these other alternatives and you start realizing, oh, my efficiency with this is getting much higher if I turn on text-to-speech or if I get that narrated book to keep up in my book club or something like that, that I think is what moves us along, is just recognizing that this new path is a little bit easier and is a little less frustrating and we're actually getting the things done that we want to get done. So, I think that's part of the process for those of us who aren't a little more proactive. The proactive people are going to figure this out logically and make steps in that direction.
Ricky Enger: Well, I guess it's no surprise that braille is going to come up on a Hadley podcast. I think it's the first thing that people think about when they start losing their vision. In some cases, it's the only thing they think. So, there's probably this huge sense of overwhelm, like, "Okay, I am struggling to read print, so I have to learn braille. I have to learn it now and it is going to be the only method by which I'm ever able to read anything forever." It's a little more complex than that. Is there a way that braille can fit in and have a logical place and yet there are some other techniques as well? Are there reasons that people might learn braille that don't involve reading everything in braille forever more?
Steve Kelley: When I first realized that what was going on with my vision was progressive and that I would get perhaps to a point where I was having trouble reading print the way I normally did, it was like the very first course I took at Hadley once I figured out my way and it was bumpy. But I got a braille course because I assumed exactly what you said. Oh, gosh, my only opportunity is going to be braille. I was actually pleasantly surprised when I took the braille course, which was just the alphabet in braille. It was actually simpler than what I thought and at the same time, I thought, "Now how am I going to read a book in this?" because that piece of it was quite challenging. I think where braille fits in really well for somebody with low vision is for labeling, putting a quick label on something in a letter or two that you just touch and right away, you know "Oh, this is the Advil," or "This is the cleaner that I want," or whatever, especially in places where it's dark, underneath the cupboard or maybe in the freezer.
There are plenty of places that braille can be used on a regular basis for somebody with low vision. They're probably not going to be literary braille readers, but if that's something that they wanted to pursue, of course, yeah. The other thing that people don't realize is you've got a whole world of braille with braille displays connected to the computer. A lot of folks who are real readers or real literary people may actually, even with low vision, want to learn, get to that place where they're literary braille readers with their braille displays because again, it might be more efficient or more enjoyable for them.
Ricky Enger: Wow, I love that, just a whole spectrum of ways to use braille. We do have courses for learning braille, both visually and tactile braille that still can involve some of your vision if you still have it. Those initial lessons will engage both your eyes and your fingers. If you're looking to learn braille, you've come to the right place and Hadley's got you covered for that. But we have talked about not just braille, but magnifiers, text-to-speech, smartphones, talking books, digital books, this huge list of things, and all the different types of magnifiers. If somebody's sitting there going, "I heard a lot of information and some of it might apply to me, but I'm feeling really overwhelmed just thinking about this. Where am I even supposed to start and what do I do?" How can someone figure out where to start? How do they try some of these options without just shutting down and feeling like it's too much?
Steve Kelley: I think the very first thing that I would do, and we'll put this in the resources, I'm sure, I would get a hold of the National Library Service Talking Book program, and here's why. The reason I'm suggesting the National Library Service is one, it's free, two, the talking book player is probably one of the easiest machines that you ever learn how to use. You can literally pick it up and use it in the minute you get it. There's no charge for it. You can get library books. You can get magazines.
And here's the plug for Hadley too, of course, you can also get many of our workshops right on the talking book cartridges that play in the machine. The reason that I'm suggesting that as priority number one is because it will take you to the next steps whatever those next steps happen to be. You may not use it later on, but it will help you get to those next steps. So that would be priority one.
The second thing, Ricky, I would suggest is I would suggest people get in touch with their state vocational rehab agency or their department on aging, and every state's got one. Those are the places where you are going to find some additional training, maybe some demonstrations for some of these devices. The quickest and easiest way I can think of to do that is to call me, and I do this on a regular basis, and I'll look it up for you and give you that information as well. But the reason I'm saying that is you want to get an assessment for some of these things. So many people, as I mentioned before, have that magnifier that's not working. It's in the top drawer. They don't use it and they don't use it because it was the wrong one.
Get someone from one of those agencies to come out. There's usually no charge for it. Have an assessment. Figure out what it is that's going to work best for you and also find out about that broad spectrum of stuff that's out there that will keep you reading. There's a bunch of it and they know more about it than you do so you can learn something from them.
Ricky Enger: That's really well said. It's great to know that there are so many resources because I think that's one thing that people struggle with is they know that they're having trouble with something, but now what? Where am I supposed to go? What questions do I even ask? I don't know what I don't know.
Steve Kelley: I think half the battle is just figuring out what some of the options are and knowing that you do have options.
Ricky Enger: Well, Steve, thank you so much for sharing your experience and just the ideas that you have about things that people might try. The show notes are going to have a ton of information for you to check out if you're wondering where to start. If all that is maybe a little bit much, Hadley's always here to point you to the right things. We'd love to have a conversation with you, so do give us a call, and again, happy to point you in the right direction.
Steve Kelley: Oh, it's always great chatting with you, Ricky. Thank you.
Ricky Enger: Thanks so much, Steve. Got something to say? Share your thoughts about this episode of Hadley Presents or make suggestions for future episodes. We'd love to hear from you. Send us an email at podcast@hadley.edu. That's P-O-D-C-A-S-T @hadley.edu or leave us a message at 847-784-2870. Thanks for listening.
-
Products
-
Websites
All Episodes
-
Episode 106
Sometimes, navigating life with vision loss goes a bit sideways. Things don't always turn out exactly as we've planned, and it can help to just laugh at these strange situations.
We've shared several episodes of listeners' stories, what we're calling vision loss bloopers. Today, Ricky Enger and Doug Walker share some more of these bloopers along with a few of their own.
-
Episode 105
Prevent Blindness' patient advocacy program empowers people facing vision impairment. Patients learn how to promote change with their physicians, their families, drug companies, and even policy makers.
-
Episode 104
Ever thought about getting a guide dog? Listen in as we chat with members Jeff Flodin and Ed McDaniel about their experiences with guide dogs and some common misperceptions.
-
Episode 103
The National Library Service has a free talking book program for anyone in the US with vision loss. Tonia Bickford, an advisor from Michigan's talking books program, joins us to discuss how to get the most out of this free service.
-
Episode 102
This week we learn more about visual hallucinations that sometimes accompany vision loss, a condition called Charles Bonnet syndrome.
-
Episode 101
Sometimes vision loss can make us feel less secure. This week we talk about personal safety with Hadley's Chief Program Officer, Ed Haines.
-
Episode 100
For many living with vision loss, watching TV is less enjoyable as they can't see what's happening on the screen very well anymore.
Audio description fills the void by narrating key visual elements. Listen in as Ricky chats with Hadley member and avid audio description user, Judy Davis. -
Episode 99
Listen in to our conversation with Dr. Mondal, a low vision optometrist and professor at the University of Wisconsin. We chat about what to expect from a visit to a low vision specialist and the kind of help they can offer.
-
Episode 98
Have you listened to Hadley's community-generated audio podcast yet? In this episode, Ricky and Marc Arneson, Hadley's Director of Community, share a few stories from Insights & Sound Bites and discuss how to contribute your own story. Insights & Sound Bites | Hadley
-
Episode 97
Listen in as artist Chloe Duplessis explains how a degenerative eye disease changed, and didn't change, her life and love of art. "I thought art required sight. I was wrong."
-
Episode 96
Dr. Judy Box, a Hadley member living with macular degeneration, shares her tips for managing those important conversations with your eye doctor.
-
Episode 95
In this episode, the Hadley team talks all things gifts. Giving them, getting them, what's on their wish lists, and how vision loss may, or may not, impact these activities.
-
Episode 94
Friendships often change when one has vision loss. Whether it's adaptations to the activities you enjoy together, asking for help, or turning that help down … there are conversations to be had. Let's tune in as two Hadley members, Eugenia DeReu and Tara Perry, share their experiences with what's changed for them — and what's stayed the same.
-
Episode 93
Losing some vision can make for shopping challenges. Here are a few mishaps that Hadley members have run into. Have your own to share? Email us at podcast@HadleyHelps.org
-
Episode 92
This week we chat with the chief technology officer from Envision as he shares how their free mobile app or camera-enabled glasses can help those with vision loss. It speaks aloud written information, describes surroundings and objects, and even tells you who's nearby.
-
Episode 91
Lots of questions, concerns, and stereotypes connected to use of the white cane. In this episode, we address several of them from past discussions on the topic.
-
Episode 90
Listen in as Hadley's Director of Community, Marc Arneson, chats with Hadley members Bill Massey and Gregory Peterson about their participation in Hadley's new Peer-to-Peer program.
To learn if getting a peer connection is for you, call us at 1-800-323-4238. -
Episode 89
Listen in as we chat with Ed Haines about getting the most out of our magnifiers.
-
Episode 88
Listen in as we chat with animal lovers Debbie Worman and Sheri Robinson about the joys and challenges of caring for a pet when you have vision loss.
-
Episode 87
Listen in as Hadley member, Wendy Spencer Davis, shares why she decided to learn some braille and how it's helping her in everyday life.
-
Episode 86
Ed McDaniel, a psychologist with low vision, joins us to talk about common emotional triggers people with vision loss face and how to recognize and manage them.
-
Episode 85
Jessica Grogan from the American Diabetes Association joins us to talk about managing your blood sugar with vision loss.
-
Episode 84
Tune into our chat with Sarah Clark, a visually impaired marriage and family therapist, as she offers her unique insight into some common family dynamics that often make adjustment more challenging and how to navigate through them successfully.
-
Episode 83
Join us as we chat with Hadley member, Kris, about her experience living with vision loss in a senior community.
-
Episode 82
Listen in as Hadley staff share their real-life bloopers—times when things didn’t quite go as planned.
-
Episode 81
Join us as we take a dive into the features of the BlindShell cell phone.
-
Episode 80
Listen in as Pastor Scott Himel shares his advice for participating in religious services no matter your level of vision.
-
Episode 79
Join us to learn about how ScripTalk technology translates medication labels into speech and where you can find a participating pharmacy.
-
Episode 78
Join occupational therapist from Duke Eye Center, Fay Tripp, in a conversation about bioptic glasses—what they are and who can benefit from them.
-
Episode 77
Listen in as we chat with birding expert Freya McGregor who shares her tips on how you can enjoy this hobby, no matter your level of vision.
-
Episode 76
Listen in as Hadley's Doug Walker and Ricky Enger chat about how they use GPS in their daily lives. From walking directions to finding items or assisting a driver by navigating a trip, GPS can be a very handy tool.
-
Episode 75
Listen in as we chat with Dave Steele about his life, poetry, and vision loss.
-
Episode 74
Listen in as we discuss some common situations that can make us feel unsafe and share ideas on how to address them. We're joined today by Christy Ray and Ricky Jones of STRIVE4You.Org
-
Episode 73
Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for feelings of shame to creep in when we've lost some vision. Join social worker Jeff Flodin and psychologist Ed McDaniel, both visually impaired themselves, as they explore where these feelings come from and how they have worked through these emotions in their own lives.
-
Episode 72
Listen in as Dorrie Rush of OE Magazine shares how she resisted using a white cane for years, the stigma she feared, and the confidence and security she found once it was in her hand.
-
Episode 71
Learn how CVS pharmacy customers throughout the US can access a free service that reads aloud prescription medication information.
-
Episode 70
Join us as we chat with author Hannah Fairbairn about the tips and tricks she has learned to take some of the stress out of holiday get-togethers, no matter your vision.
-
Episode 69
We're joined by the creator of The Blind Life YouTube channel, Sam Seavey. Sam shares his personal journey with vision loss and advice he has for people who are newer to vision loss.
-
Episode 67
Chief Innovation Officer Doug Walker chats with us about the launch of Hadley's newest podcast, Insights & Sound Bites. This new podcast will offer short stories shared by listeners. By tapping into the power of our community, we hope to share ideas, discoveries, and moments of inspiration along the journey through vision loss.
-
Episode 66
Jim Hoxie and Joanna Jones join us to discuss their children’s book, "Grandpa's White Cane." Jim shares how vision loss shaped his life and how he and Joanna, a retired teacher, began instructing children about the importance of white cane awareness and the do's and don'ts for helping people with visual impairment.
-
Episode 65
Blogger and social worker Jeff Flodin talks about his personal journey with vision loss and how his passion for helping people led him to blog about his experiences.
-
Episode 64
Hadley has partnered with the National Eye Institute (NEI) to offer a Spanish-language version of our popular cooking workshop series. Devina Fan, director of the National Eye Health Education Program at NEI, joins the podcast to talk more about this new initiative, NEI’s expanding Spanish content, and the importance of connecting Hispanic and Latino communities to important vision resources.
-
Episode 63
A change in your vision may make some parts of your job more challenging. But with a bit of help and some new skills, you may be able to stay in your job. Hadley Chief Program Officer Ed Haines and Learning Expert Steve Kelley join the podcast to talk about our new Working with Vision Loss workshops and to share tips for where to find support and how to ask for what you need.
-
Episode 62
Certified accessible travel advocate Melvin Reynolds joins the podcast to share tips for getting the most out of traveling, no matter your level of vision. Melvin gives advice on what to research ahead of a trip, considerations for traveling with a guide dog, and how a certified accessible travel advocate can help.
-
Episode 61
Karen and Dan Leonetti share how vision loss has changed their relationship and the advice they have for other couples.
-
Episode 60
Rabbi Lenny Sarko joins us to talk about how his vision loss journey led him to create a first-of-its-kind braille Sefer Torah that people around the country can access.
-
Episode 59
Actor and artist Bruce Horak talks about his personal journey with vision loss, how he got interested in painting, and his role in the new television series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
-
Episode 58
CEO of Eschenbach Optik of America Ken Bradley joins the podcast to discuss how Eschenbach has adapted through the pandemic to help people with visual impairment access low vision devices remotely. Through their "Telelowvision" program, you can try out magnification devices from the comfort of your home to find what works best for you before you buy.
-
Episode 57
Scottish radio broadcaster and podcaster Steven Scott loves finding and talking about tech stuff. He's especially fond of apps and gadgets that make life easier for him and others with vision loss.
-
Episode 56
NYT Columnist Frank Bruni returns to the podcast to talk about his new book. Frank describes his personal experiences with vision loss and how, with time, his perspective has grown.
-
Episode 55
IT professional and stand-up comedian Todd Blenkhorn talks about his personal journey with vision loss and how his passion for stand-up helped him find and share the humor in daily interactions.
-
Episode 54
In this episode, we're sharing highlights from previous interviews with a glaucoma specialist, retina specialist, and a low vision doctor. Listen in to learn more about common eye conditions, treatments, and what to expect at these specialist appointments.
-
Episode 53
Master Gardener Sue Brasel and Hadley's Chief Program Officer and gardener Ed Haines join us for a chat about gardening, no matter your level of vision or gardening experience. They share tips for how to get started, common challenges, and the many benefits of gardening.
-
Episode 52
We're joined by Carol Mackey, an avid discussion group participant, and co-host Debbie Worman to chat about what Hadley groups are, how to join, and what you can get out of them. With 10 groups on a variety of topics, there's something for everyone. Listen in or chime in – it’s up to you.
-
Episode 51
Bold Blind Beauty blogger Stephanae McCoy joins us for a chat on beauty, style and confidence. Stephanae talks about how vision loss shaped her life, and then shares some of her favorite fashion and beauty tips.
-
Episode 50
Hadley staff share their favorite kitchen gadgets and tips. Whether you're an experienced home chef or a total novice, you're bound to pick up a few ideas that fit your vision needs and make your time in the kitchen more productive (and fun).
-
Episode 49
We sat down with Kim Walker, co-director of research and development at Hadley, and Mark Andrews, one of the Hadley advisors who reviewed our exciting new approach for adults with vision loss to learn braille. From labeling items in your home to identifying buttons on an elevator, braille can be a wonderful tool for everyday use.
-
Episode 48
New York Times Best-Selling Author, Gretchen Rubin, chats about her research on how tapping into different senses can enrich our lives and connect us to each other in surprising ways.
-
Episode 47
Twin sisters Jenelle and Joy join the podcast to share their personal experiences with vision loss and adjusting to it emotionally. While they look identical, their perspectives and journeys differ, highlighting their mission to show that "there is no right way to go blind."
-
Episode 46
Hadley learner Sharon Noseworthy shares tips and tricks for hosting get-togethers of any type or size, no matter your vision. Sharon has always loved the role of hostess and has learned to adjust her approach now that her own vision has declined.
-
Episode 45
We're joined by Teepa Snow, occupational therapist and founder of Positive Approach to Care, to learn more about the challenges of having both vision loss and dementia. Teepa addresses common misconceptions about dementia and shares practical tips for supporting someone with both conditions.
-
Episode 44
We sat down with several Hadley staff members and asked them about their favorite tech tips, apps, and gadgets. Whether you consider yourself a tech expert or novice, the group recommends a variety of high-tech and low-tech options that fit your comfort level and interests.
-
Episode 43
Judge David Tatel has served on the second most powerful court in the country since 1994. He also happens to be blind. Judge Tatel joins us to share his story on building a law career and family while dealing with changing vision, the technology and resources he's found useful, and what made him consider getting a guide dog in recent years.
-
Episode 42
In honor of White Cane Safety Day today, we're joined by Hadley learner Larry Carlson and Orientation and Mobility Specialist Elijah Haines for a conversation about this important tool. Larry shares what made him decide to use a white cane, and Elijah shares tips for what to consider and how to adjust to using a white cane.
-
Episode 41
Supriya Raman, manager of the Disability and Multicultural branches of the TSA, shares tips on traveling among shifting COVID restrictions. Supriya covers what to expect at the airport and what resources are available for people with visual impairment.
-
Episode 40
Photographer Michael Nye chats with us about his latest art exhibit, "My Heart is Not Blind," a collection of photos and audio interviews of people with visual impairment. Through these stories, Michael provides a look into what he calls "our shared humanity and shared fragility," as well as common misunderstandings about blindness.
-
Episode 39
Champion blind golfer Chad NeSmith talks about how vision loss shaped his life, and how he shares his passion for golf with others with vision loss.
-
Episode 38
Doug Walker, Hadley co-director of R&D, and Ed Haines, Hadley Chief Program Officer, chat about the making of Hadley's "Adjusting to Vision Loss" workshop series. The series guides people through the emotional aspects of vision loss. Doug serves as the series' personal storyteller and narrator.
-
Episode 37
In this episode we chat with ophthalmologist Dr. Angela Elam from the University of Michigan. Dr. Elam addresses common questions and concerns, and shares her advice for returning to the eye doctor among shifting COVID restrictions.
-
Episode 36
Dorrie Rush, OE's Chief Content Officer, joins us for a chat about this wonderful online resource chock full of tips for living well with vision loss. You'll find great articles on using tech tools, tips for health and well-being, stories from others living with vision loss, a terrific podcast, and more.
-
Episode 35
Learn about a new service that’s just launched in 2020 called Accessible Pharmacy. Accessible packaging and labeling and personalized customer support all free of charge to the end consumer, and specifically designed for those with vision impairment.
-
Episode 34
Audio Describe the World! That’s the mantra of UniDescription: a free smartphone app that provides audio descriptions and navigation tips for US National Parks and other public places.
-
Episode 33
In this episode, we chat with low vision optometrist Dr. Mark Wilkinson from the University of Iowa. Dr. Wilkinson answers common questions and shares his advice for getting the most out of low vision optometry appointments.
-
Episode 32
Jan and Elgie Dow share how vision loss has changed their relationship and the advice they have for other couples.
-
Episode 31
Join Hadley advisor Eddie Becerra as he shares about losing his sight from diabetic retinopathy, and how he gained a new perspective on life.
-
Episode 30
Classically trained chef Regina Mitchell shares how vision loss shaped her life. Regina worked her way back into the kitchen and is now helping others cook with confidence, no matter their vision.
-
Episode 29
In this episode we sit down with the director of Well Connected, an organization that offers free, call-in groups for adults over 60 on a wide variety of interest areas: games, music, meditation and more.
-
Episode 28
Support groups can be a great way to connect with others who "get it." Listen in as as low vision support group leaders Lynndah Lahey and Judy Davis describe how their groups are run and what their members get out of them.
-
Episode 27
World-renowned artist John Bramblitt describes how vision loss has shaped his painting and his life.
-
Episode 26
In this episode, we chat with Dr. Tim Murray of the American Society of Retina Specialists. Dr. Murray treats eye diseases such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. He answers common questions and shares his insights into the future of treatments.
-
Episode 25
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jullia Rosdahl, a glaucoma specialist from the Duke Eye Center, and ask her some of the many questions we’ve heard about glaucoma, its risk factors, and how to treat the disease.
-
Episode 24
Hadley learning expert Jessica Smith shares her experience raising a puppy that may eventually become a guide dog. She covers what she’s learned and things to consider if you’d like to volunteer to help out a guide dog school.
-
Episode 23
October 15 is White Cane Safety Day, a day to recognize this important tool that empowers people with visual impairment to travel safely and independently. It also brings attention to the general public to be mindful of visually impaired neighbors, giving them additional consideration and right-of-way when needed. We sat down with Kellee Sanchez, an orientation and mobility specialist, to talk about the history of White Cane Safety Day, and how a white cane can help those with vision loss.
-
Episode 22
Be My Eyes is a free smartphone app that connects visually impaired users with sighted volunteers for help with visual tasks. We sat down with Will Butler from Be My Eyes to hear how the app started, tips for using it, and exciting new features that provide specialized assistance, including with Hadley.
-
Episode 21
Tracy Simon from Eye2Eye peer support program shares her story of vision loss, how her program works, and the benefits of connecting with and supporting each other.
-
Episode 20
Ophthalmologist Dr. Lori Provencher chats with us about how the coronavirus pandemic has changed doctor's visits. She shares tips for staying safe, questions to ask, and what to expect before, during and after your next office visit.
-
Episode 19
Mindfulness expert Tiffany Guske returns to the podcast to share tips and insights on how to cope with life's challenges, such as vision loss or an illness, building resilience and focusing on self-compassion instead of judgment.
-
Episode 18
Author of "When You Can't Believe Your Eyes," Hannah Fairbairn, chats with us about how to communicate in everyday situations when you can't rely on visual cues. Hear Hannah's own story about losing vision, her practical tips on adjusting to vision loss, and advice she has on regaining confidence in social situations.
-
Episode 17
In this episode, we continue the conversation on living during the COVID-19 pandemic with a visual impairment. Listen in as we share some experiences, tips, and strategies for coping during these difficult times.
-
Episode 16
The COVID-19 crisis has brought a wave of change and uncertainty to our everyday lives. Listen in as we share personal experiences, resources and some helpful tips...all from a blind or low vision perspective.
-
Episode 15
Assistive technology experts Ricky Enger and Steve Kelley review BlindShell, a mobile phone built for those with visual impairment. They discuss the basic features, how it differs from a traditional smartphone, and how to decide if it's right for you.
-
Episode 14
This week we sit down with Dan Roberts, author of "The First Year-Age-Related Macular Degeneration: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed" and founder of MDSupport website and support group. Hear Dan's own story about being diagnosed with macular degeneration and what prompted him to reach out to others facing similar circumstances.
-
Episode 13
Listen in as we explore the basics of using hand tools with a visual impairment. Gil Johnson, a visually impaired home repair expert, shares tips on everything from measuring, to leveling to hammering.
-
Episode 12
Elections are right around the corner. So we gathered a panel to talk about options for voting no matter your level of vision. Listen in as we explore everything you need to know, from registering to vote to the many ways you can cast your ballot.
-
Episode 11
Ricky sits down with Android Accessibility Product Manager Brian Kemler to discuss what is available on Android phones for those with visual impairment. From adjusting font size and color, or opting to listen with TalkBack instead, the commitment to making these powerful tools more useful to a wider audience is clear.
-
Episode 10
In this episode, we chat with Gil Johnson, an experienced home repair and woodworking enthusiast about things to consider when undertaking home repair with blindness or low vision.
-
Episode 9
Hadley's Debbie Good sits down to continue a conversation with author and visually impaired world traveler Dr. Wendy David. Together they explore a wide variety of helpful hints covering train, plane, and cruise travel as well as practical information on traveling internationally and navigating hotels.
-
Episode 8
In this episode, Ricky Enger chats with Joe Strechay, associate producer on the Apple TV+ series SEE. The show takes place in a future where, after a viral apocalypse, all humans are blind. Joe takes us behind the scenes of the show and his work to help build an inclusive set for the cast and crew, including those with low to no vision. From casting to costumes, scripting to scenery, hear how Joe helped create a science fiction world that strives to be authentic to life with vision loss.
-
Episode 7
Hadley's Debbie Good sits down with travel author Dr. Wendy David in this latest episode. In part one of this two-part interview, Debbie and Wendy discuss tips for traveling with confidence as a blind or low vision person, advice on picking destinations, considerations for traveling alone and in a group, and more!
-
Episode 6
Ricky Enger is joined by Hadley's Debbie Worman and mindfulness expert Tiffany Guske in this latest episode. Debbie and Tiffany talk about what mindfulness is and the specific benefits that mindfulness can offer for those living with vision loss. Tiffany then walks listeners through a short mindfulness exercise.
-
Episode 5
In this episode, Ricky Enger speaks with New York Times columnist Frank Bruni, who shares the story of his sudden vision loss from NAION. Bruni speaks candidly on his adjustment to the change, maintaining a realistic attitude towards his vision loss, and the failure of medical professionals to provide resources after diagnosis.
-
Episode 4
Listen in as we share practical tips on how to keep your handwriting readable. This resource-packed episode includes many useful techniques and solutions to common handwriting challenges. Hadley Learning Expert Jennifer Ottowitz chats with Sue Dalton, Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist.
-
Episode 3
In this episode, Hadley's Steve Kelley speaks with Kendra Farrow, from the National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision, located at Mississippi State. The episode serves as a guide for those new to vision rehabilitation, including determining who is eligible for services, key differences between the medical and social services models, and how to locate services in each state.
-
Episode 2
In this episode, Ricky Enger chats with Microsoft's Jeremy Curry, a Senior Program Manager with the Windows Accessibility team. New vision accessibility features are now available in Windows 10 for low vision and screen reader users.
-
Episode 1
In the inaugural episode of Hadley Presents, Ricky Enger and Jonathan Mosen of Aira chat about the ways in which a visual interpreter service, such as Aira, can be used to gain valuable visual information and enhance travel and leisure activities for blind and low vision users.