Services You Should Know When New to Vision Loss
When the doctor says, "there's nothing more I can do for you," what next? Who can help you make the most of your remaining vision and learn how to live more comfortably with vision loss? We break it down for you.
Hadley
Services You Should Know When New to 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, Steve Kelley and Eric Boklage join us as we discuss vision professionals you should know about. Welcome to the show, both of you.
Steve Kelley: Hey Ricky, hey Eric.
Eric Boklage: Hi Steve. Hi Ricky. Thank you very much for inviting me to join you today.
Ricky Enger: It is so wonderful to have you both here. Steve, you are on the tech team here at Hadley and Eric, you are a participant in our discussion groups frequently. We've even named you a Hadley Hero, and I know you've learned from our workshops as well. Again, so happy to have you both here. We're going to be talking about professionals if you're new to vision loss or maybe you have been experiencing it for a while, but you just don't know what is out there. What are these different types of professionals and what can they help me with?
I thought both of you would be perfect to talk about this because you have experienced this from both sides so to speak. You've been the person who's new to vision loss and you're out there learning what's available to help you, and then you made that transition at some point and decided to be the person on the other side of the desk. So you're helping people who are going through what you once did. Before we talk about these different professionals and what they do, why don't we just go through a couple of quick intros. Steve, we'll start with you. Take us from the beginning, where you started with this and how you ultimately decided to work in this field?
Steve Kelley: Yeah, I had a vision loss and I got the thing from the doctor saying, "Well, there's not much more we can do for you and there's the door." I went home and I panicked, am I going to lose my job? How am I going to take care of my kid? What about my mortgage? All of that. Fortunately, it wasn't like an overnight thing. So eventually I stumbled into vocational rehab. They kind of took me under their wings and the biggest thing was showing me zoom text and also introducing me to some people who had low vision and who were blind, because it's almost embarrassing to say this, but at the time the whole notion of blindness and vision loss was so anxiety-provoking because I didn't know. I assumed if I lost my vision or had low vision, I was not going to be able to work. I wouldn't be able to pay my mortgage. All of those things. Just had no clue that there was any support.
And to make the sad story a little bit shorter, let me just say that I was in the office of the assistive technology person and was surrounded by computers and tech and was talking with her, she was doing an assessment, and at some point I looked around the room and I thought, I know computers, I know technology. I'm comfortable in this room. And I thought, I can be doing this woman's job. And that's when things just kind of clicked and fell into place. So that's kind of the shorter version of how I got here.
Ricky Enger: Wow, I love that. And what you said about just that anxiety and not having any familiarity with vision loss before you were experiencing it yourself. It's such a common thing. Eric, how about you? How did you get from where you were to where you are now?
Eric Boklage: My story is a little bit different in that my vision challenges really started in my mid-forties. Over the course of the following 10 or 15 years, I had three retinal detachments and repair surgeries for those. Cataract surgery in both eyes, et cetera. And I was given a false sense of security because after each one of those surgeries, they'd have me read the Snellen eye chart and give me some corrective lenses and I was still able to read those charts. So I came away with some really good clinical outcomes, but I ended up with some optic nerve damage and lost some peripheral vision. I now have glaucoma and despite if you will, the false sense of security, I was still struggling. I had other kinds of vision issues that were associated in particular with optic nerve damage. Things like photophobia where you're sensitive to glare and staring at those computer screens or not having enough contrast.
I was fortunate enough to get a referral to a low vision clinic and one of the first things they did was to prescribe for me to wear dark glasses all the time because those dark glasses are tinted in such a way that they helped me to deal with both the glare and improve, if you will, the lack of contrast. They give me some sensitivity to contrast that I wouldn't otherwise have. And I ended up in a situation where I contemplated retirement after a 40-year business career, but then I decided you're not going to be comfortable doing that. You need to find something.
So I now have a new sense of purpose and that's vision rehab. After a four-decade hiatus away from, if you will, academia, I went back to grad school, I'm now studying to become a certified vision rehab therapist and a certified assistive technology instructional specialist. Long words. But the bottom line is that I'm currently studying so that I can become someone who can work with others who have vision rehab needs. In the meantime, not only have I learned a lot of things that I can use to assist them, but it's stuff that will continue to help me as my own vision journey continues.
Ricky Enger: What a great benefit. You're learning to help people, and, in that process, you are learning things for yourself as well, whether you were intending that or not, it is a nice bit of icing on the cake. So we've used this term a couple of times, we've said vision rehab or vocational rehab, and we never really talked about exactly what it is. When people think about rehab, they might be like, oh yeah, I went to the rehab facility after I had my knee replacement, and we did physical therapy and whatever. So is this a thing to make my eyes stronger? What are we talking about when we say vision rehab? What is it? What is the purpose of it and what does it encompass?
Eric Boklage: So to me, vision rehab is all about helping people to adjust and cope with what their remaining vision may be, regardless of what that is because some people end up with very severe blindness and others have other low vision related symptoms and implications. We initially meet with people and we talk to them and find out what are the parts of their lives that they're having difficulty with and trouble with. Then we work with them to find ways of modifying what they're doing or how they're doing it, in order to let them continue to be able to do all the things... Let me retract, not all the things, but many of the things that they want and need to do. We can help with a lot of the other day-to-day activities and doing everything that they might need to do throughout their daily lives.
Steve Kelley: Eric, you're exactly right. I think about it in terms of function. There's a bunch of research out there that shows that when we lose one of our major life functions, which could be driving, it could be reading, it could be anything, recreation, whatever. When we start losing one or two of those biggies, there's a really good chance, I think like 30%, that will fall into a clinical depression within a couple of months. And I feel like the vision rehab therapist or anybody in our profession, what we do is we get in there and we try to figure out some way to get that person back to accomplishing those goals in a slightly different way. And that's the importance of vision rehab, I think.
Eric Boklage: And it may take them longer to do what they used to do, and they might have to be more careful about the way they do it, but they're still able to accomplish much of what they wanted to do and need to do.
Ricky Enger: Yeah, I think that's so important. Many people who are new to vision loss may feel that they are the only ones dealing with this. I don't know anyone else who's had a vision loss. Anything I have picked up might be a negative stereotype that really has no basis in reality. So we know that people are feeling that anxiety that you talked about. How am I going to pay my mortgage? How am I going to take care of my kid? All of these things.
I think that knowledge is power and if we know, okay, who do I go to and what do they do, that helps to solidify some of those things, and you get those answers of how will I do this or that or the other thing. Why don't we just go down the line here and start with when you walk out of that office and the doctor says, there is nothing medically that we can do. If you still have some remaining vision, who's the professional who's going to help you get the most out of how your remaining vision works?
Steve Kelley: There's a whole group of specialists, and I'm just going to list them, and we can pick up on these later. You have the vision rehab therapist that we've been talking about. You have a certified low vision therapist who sometimes works with the low vision doctor. You have the orientation and mobility specialist, and then you also have the assistive technology specialist. All of these people oftentimes work for the state agency, and that's kind of like the ticket to ride, so to speak, or to find out a little bit more about those folks.
Ricky Enger: Absolutely. So let's break this down a little further then. We have this pile of professionals, thankfully, that can assist you, but each one does something a little bit different. So if you're going to your state rehab agency and they're referring you to various other people, let’s kind of give names to each of those types of professionals and what they do? So if you're looking for what glasses should I wear or what's available for handheld magnifiers? What can I do around the home to address my lighting situations? Who's going to be the best person to take that on?
Eric Boklage: I'll jump in and say that in most of what you just described, the kind of generalist that's going to deal with the vision rehab needs, it's going to be a vision rehab therapist. The acronym that goes with their little, the alphabet soup behind their name if you will, is CVRT, which is for Certified Vision Rehab Therapist.
Ricky Enger: Awesome. And then what about those things that we often call daily living skills? The challenges that you face when you get out of bed in the morning, how do I figure out which clothes match and organize my closet? How do I pour my cup of coffee so that I don't burn myself or make a big mess? What about keeping my house clean? Things like that. Who is teaching those kinds of skills? And I'm also kind of curious, how do people get those skills? Do people come to your home? Do you go to a center? What's the whole process there?
Steve Kelley: The vision rehab therapist, oftentimes they will come to your home, but you can also participate in a center-based program. For example, the National Federation of the Blind has several center-based programs that a person could go to if they were so inclined. And local communities also have them through their vocational rehab. I think a lot of it really depends on what the person is looking for and even perhaps the severity and suddenness of the vision loss. Again, it's one of those things that might come up during the assessment process.
Ricky Enger: Right. What about technology? Steve, I'm finding it interesting because you have all of these initials after your name, you have CVLT and CVRT and this next one too, talking about assistive technology. Who's helping with that?
Steve Kelley: Well, that one's a really, really interesting one for me because I want to say traditionally, that too has been the vision rehab therapist or maybe the low vision therapist as well.
Ricky Enger: Is there a difference between those two?
Steve Kelley: There is a low vision therapist. Their certification has more to do with optical devices, not necessarily refraction of glasses. That's the doctor for sure. But it has to do with optical magnification and stuff like that. You may find them also specializing in some of the electronic devices as well. But it's one of those areas that broke off of the vision rehab therapist. So you had people who were a little more comfortable, say with technology than they were with daily living skills like matching clothing or cooking or something like that. And now, Eric, you'll have to remind me, there is that certification for the CATIS, the Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist. It's a mouthful, but basically, they're the folks who are comfy with technology.
Eric Boklage: You're right, Steve. It's less than 10 years that there's been this little offshoot from the VRT scope of practice that includes the additional or more expansive assistive technology aspects of things. That is partially in response to what's been going on in the real world. There's been an explosion of technology. Fifteen years ago, people wouldn't have had anywhere near the kind of technology in your pocket that we have today with our smartphones, right?
That sort of explosion in technology has really been a driver behind this new classification of specialists who are there for assistive technology. Because like you said, it's a different comfort zone than working with people to deal with day-to-day things such as their laundry and cooking and what have you.
Ricky Enger: Yes, that makes a lot of sense. And not every person can be good at every single thing. You're going to have people who are great at showing you some of these daily living things. When it comes to technology, they're like, well, this is a necessary thing that I have to use. I don't feel great about it, and I certainly don't want to teach it. So it's good that there are professionals who do that.
What about when it comes to learning to get around? If you're losing your vision, you're getting around a little differently, and maybe that's using something at night that will help you see a little better if you're having difficulty with night vision. Of course, some of it is about learning to listen to traffic and whatever mobility aid you choose, that's part of it too. I think some of it is even, how do I get around safely in the house? How do I prevent myself from falling over things I didn't have to think about before? What professional helps with this transition of traveling safely and what do they do?
Eric Boklage: VRTs will do a number of things by helping people inside their homes how to navigate their home, help declutter, if necessary, in order to make walking paths easier to deal with, to reduce tripping options. They'll go over what's called human guide training, where you're literally taught how to work with someone who's going to be walking beside you or giving you guidance and assistance and how to turn that down when you don't really want it or need it. Sometimes people can get a little pushy if they want to try to help you across the street and you're not asking for it.
So, that is work that can be done and taught by both vision rehab therapists and orientation mobility specialists. When you start using a cane and you start dealing with the great outdoors and the world at large, the risks that are associated with navigating sidewalks and street crossings and things of that nature, that's when you really want the services of a certified orientation and mobility specialist or COMS. They're the ones who are really well-trained in how to help you stay safe in all of that wilderness of automobiles and street crossings and things of that nature.
Steve Kelley: I just want to also say that the orientation mobility specialist oftentimes shows up with a whole suitcase full of glare shields or sunglasses. It's not all about the white cane. It's meeting you wherever you happen to be. So, if your big issue is glare and you're not ready, willing, or open to check out a white cane just yet, then that's all that's going to be addressed is just the glare issue. I've had this conversation an awful lot, and there's a fair amount of anxiety around the idea of using a white cane, which is too bad because it's such a useful navigational tool. Don't let that prohibit you from talking about orientation and mobility and contacting that professional.
Eric Boklage: Yeah. One thing that I would add is that for those who are fortunate enough to live in a metropolitan area that has mass transit, a lot of the things that an orientation mobility specialist will do is to teach you how to access and understand those schedules. How to use the available information that's out there sometimes through a smartphone app and sometimes through other means, to know when are the buses running or what's the train schedule and how do I get from point A to B safely, despite the fact that I may have challenges with being able to read the signs or not be able to see them at all. They're really well suited to help an individual figure out how to get there and what's the best way for me to get there knowing that there are a number of options.
Ricky Enger: Yeah, that's a really good point. Even things that you might not think about like, I've gotten on the bus, now how do I know when to pull the cord so that they will stop, and I can get off at my stop? It's not just about the white cane. As useful as that is, it's all of these skills that you're learning to get around safely, whatever your mode of transportation happens to be.
We've covered certified low vision therapists and certified vision rehab therapists, low vision specialists might've gotten mentioned here or there somewhere, orientation and mobility. So there's all these professionals, and you might go to your state rehabilitation agency to see if they can get you set up with them. Are there other ways that people should go about finding these professionals? If you’re still waiting for the state rehab agency to call you back. Are there other ways that you can find on your own to see one of these therapists or O&M specialists, whatever it is that you've decided that you need?
Steve Kelley: You know Ricky, the short answer is yes. I'd like this pass out the Connect Center phone number, and that's 800-232-5463. For somebody who just doesn't know where to go, I would suggest calling that number. Chances are they'll probably direct you to your state's Vocational Rehab or Unit on Aging, or just call us here at Hadley and we can do the same thing. What's cool about the directory that we'll be using, that directory of services that Eric mentioned, is there's oftentimes a nice long list of other local agencies, usually nonprofits, in the community where you might find some of these professionals housed. These folks are not medical professionals per se. It really doesn't matter. They're oftentimes located in nonprofits. The cool thing about that, Ricky, is that usually there's no cost, low cost, or a sliding scale, but it's not like you're going to have to pay a lot of money for these folks if you have to pay it all.
So, looking for them in a nonprofit is the place to go. And then of course, come to Hadley. We do have a lot of that training available as workshop series that people can take online or what with talking book cartridges, braille or large print, all kinds of different ways. Sometimes there are some great YouTube alternatives too, which is where some of these professionals talk about this. I'm thinking about Mike Mulligan's Blind on the Move, which is really kind of cool. Eric, I think maybe you can speak to some of the workshops that got you interested in learning a little bit more about moving forward, right?
Eric Boklage: Absolutely. My introduction to vision rehab came through Hadley. And the reality is, even though, for example, I can't drive, I'm not legally blind, so I don't qualify for a lot of those state required functions or the state available functions. There are a number of people who may fall into that no man's land like me. Hadley is an absolutely phenomenal source for those snippets of information that help you figure out an easier or better way to do what you need to do. They give you insights through these workshops that are curated by topics. So if you have a topical interest in how do I deal with preparing a meal, how do I deal with potentially fixing my phone so that I can hear what it's trying to say instead of trying to magnify it so large that I really can't see it. There's just a wealth and a breadth of information that's available in the workshops.
There're podcasts like these that are very good and the Hadley discussion groups. Something that goes back to what you said early on in this conversation, Steve. People who are going through vision loss often have a sense of isolation. It's not just what am I going to do and how am I going to do it, but it's grief. It's the loss of something that was a part of their life. The discussion groups that Hadley hosts, it's not like you're talking to a therapist, but you're talking with and interacting with others who are also going through vision loss. The discussion groups have topics that are of interest to different people, whether we're talking about Tech It Out, or whether we're talking about Hadley Growers for people who like to garden, or whether we're talking about Book Nook for those who like to read and or listen to their books.
There's a variety of different discussion groups where you've got other people that are involved who get it and they understand and they're somewhere along the same path that you're on. So Hadley is a phenomenal resource for being able to get some aspects of vision rehab available to you. And that's also important because there's a fairly limited number of people throughout the country that have these certifications that perform these services. The population is generally aging. We've got more and more people that are entering those age brackets that happen to have vision rehab needs because all of a sudden, their eyes aren't operating as well as they used to. They've got various conditions like diabetic retinopathy, or they end up having ocular degeneration. Those are age related from a standpoint of the more you age, the more likely you are to acquire those particular needs. Having resources to be able to get into sometimes can be a challenge because there may be waiting lists. When that's the case, Hadley is a wonderful source to help supplement all of that.
Ricky Enger: That's wonderful. Thank you. And if there's a waiting list, people don't want to say, well, I will just put my life on hold for the next 10 months until someone calls me back. They want to know immediately what can I do? So certainly at Hadley, you're going to find a wealth of information. There are other places. It's not just Hadley, although we're happy when you come to us. There are places like OE patients, that's a blog with various articles about things of interest to those with vision loss. It can cover anything from the journey to deciding whether a white cane is right for you, or a list of technology phone numbers you should be aware of. So, there is a lot of information there. Vision Aware, Eric, you mentioned that early in the show as well, the APH Connect Center where you can call and get hooked up with professionals in your area.
So a lot of resources, and we'll certainly have links to those in our show notes. This has been really informative and a lot of fun actually. I appreciate how you have both shared aspects of things that you've dealt with and then ways that you're helping other people and professionals that are out there to do the same. Any final thoughts that you have before we wrap up? Steve, we'll start with you.
Steve Kelley: My final thought is just to remind folks that they're not alone as they go through this. There are a bunch of professionals out there. You can just give us a ring and we'll remind you or point you in the right direction.
Ricky Enger: Absolutely. Eric, how about you?
Eric Boklage: Well, my final thought is going to be along the lines that if there are others who feel that they want to explore this as a potential act two or three for them, don't just throw that by the wayside. If I can do it after a four-decade hiatus from academia, then anybody can do it. There are a number of programs that are out there that would welcome someone who has some lived experience to participate. So explore it and maybe we'll include some information about that in the show notes as well.
Ricky Enger: Yes, indeed. Wow, wonderful. Thank you both so much for sharing a little bit of your time with us and sharing your experiences. I've had a great time. I hope you have too. I'm so glad you could join us.
Steve Kelley: Oh, yeah. Thanks for the opportunity. It's always great to chat with you, and Eric, I loved talking with you as well. Thanks.
Eric Boklage: Thank you both. I greatly appreciate the invitation to join you. It's been an honor.
Ricky Enger: 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 [email protected]. That's P-O-D-C-A-S-T at hadleyhelps.org. Or leave us a message at 847-784-2870. Thanks for listening.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Episode 61
Karen and Dan Leonetti share how vision loss has changed their relationship and the advice they have for other couples.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Episode 32
Jan and Elgie Dow share how vision loss has changed their relationship and the advice they have for other couples.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Episode 27
World-renowned artist John Bramblitt describes how vision loss has shaped his painting and his life.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.