I'm always looking for ways and things that can help me see better with the vision I still have
Daryl Pratt chuckles when saying the last thing he needed was a pandemic that forced people to wear masks. After all, it was hard enough for this Vietnam vet and retired Motorola salesman to identify people's faces due to the macular degeneration he was diagnosed with 25 years ago. Now, it's even harder to recognize others while their faces are partially covered.
Thankfully, he says, the new Hadley website has tools in place that make life a little easier. "I've never been very good at deciphering things that lack contrast, like faces or white text on a black background, so the fact that the new website allows me to choose from different contrast and background color options is a real game-changer."
The longtime Arlington Heights, IL resident says he was diagnosed with macular degeneration when he was in his mid-50's.
Daryl was among a core group of low vision individuals that Hadley relied upon for feedback and suggestions during the important phases of the design and implementation of the new Hadley.edu. His input, along with others across the country, served as an invaluable tool in ensuring that our new approach satisfied the needs, wants, and desires of visually impaired adults.
"I'm always looking for ways and things that can help me see better with the vision I still have," says Daryl. "Fortunately, the new website contains so many things that if you didn't have low vision you would never think about. The technology help has been life-changing. I also love to work in the garden and can't wait to start listening to some of the gardening discussion groups."
Daryl belongs to a Wheeling Township low vision group, where he has found a wealth of emotional support from those who, like him, seek out helpful ways to accomplish day-to-day tasks while living with a visual impairment. "I come in contact with a lot of folks who are recently diagnosed with macular degeneration," he says. "It can hit you like a Mack truck—they go from having perfect vision to being nearly totally blind so quickly that it is really scary."
Thankfully, Daryl is there with helpful advice and is able to point group members in the direction of Hadley, where we have the tools to assist.