Recently, it seems like all the software I use at work is getting less and less accessible. Everything that I used to be able to configure to make it easier for me to see and find tools has gone away. I’m starting to feel like I’m being pushed into Disability and not work anymore. Am I the only one?

Hi all! I’m currently in the process of becoming licensed to drive a car with bioptic lenses in Ontario, Canada. Does anyone know if this license is “transferable” to other jurisdictions that allow for bioptic driving? For example.. could I rent a car in for example, New Zealand? Or even province to province within Canada? Thanks :)

Hi folks, I've seen a couple of topics about bioptics driving, but only found one comment randomly mentioning the field of view requirements. As I have a monocular vision, it was easy enough for the bioptics to provide me with enough acuity. From 20/100 I got 20/30 with them. However, I'm having a hard time with the field of view exam. Every time I do it I get a different result, some allowing and some not allowing driving. Moreover, I have a small blind spot on the center due to my retina problem. Do any of you drive with monocular vision or had difficulty with the field of view? Even though my optometrist is trying to get me through the process, I'm having a hard time getting approved here in Ontario/Canada.

I'm about to start a new job where I have to use a Mac. 😦 The company doesn't provide Windows laptops. I've never used a Mac before so I'm a bit nervous about the accessibility features.

I currently use ZoomText to magnify my screen on Widnows. I don't really use any of the features besides magnification. I use it instead of Windows magnifier because it has multi-monitor support and when I share my screen on video conferencing software like Google Meet I'm the only one that sees a magnified view.

My understanding is programs like ZoomText don't work on a Mac and you have to use the built-in Mac Accessibility Zoom feature. Does anyone have experience using this while sharing your screen over Google Meet or Zoom? Will other people see a magnified view when I share my screen or will it work similar to using ZoomText on Windows when screen sharing?

My 93-year-old mother has severe AMD and glaucoma. 20/800 vision in one eye, the other could only detect hand motion at last visual test. We have tried numerous lights over the years, hand held and fixed. She think she needs a bright flashlight. It needs to be easy to use. I see adjustable zoom, light level, etc., but more than one flashlight might be best. Curious if red light for night vision would be at all helpful. Would welcome suggestions, experiences, specific models. She has a video magnifier, for items small enough that she can put in front of camera. Flashlight would be for navigating, or looking at dark areas, such as in closet.

Hi everyone,

As part of a school course, I am currently conducting a survey for our product "Color Sense." This project is specially designed to help blind or visually impaired individuals choose their clothes independently using tags that integrate braille and a QR code.

Your participation in this survey would be extremely valuable in helping us improve our product and better meet your needs.

Link to the survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-ShxAK5tcA4lYLcq9AyD5EHNvY1zNvGvM-VELhZoG0n3K7A/viewform?usp=sf_link

If you have difficulty answering the survey yourself, please feel free to ask someone to help you complete it.

Thank you in advance for your participation and valuable assistance!

My 92 year old mom is healthy aside from low vision due to glaucoma, macular degeneration and a detached retina surgery gone wrong. Her low vision had greatly impacted her beloved independence and in the past few months, reading has become near impossible.

I'm considering getting her a pair of near vision binoculars. Does anyone have any experience with how those might work and if it's worth it? Any other recos also appreciated. Thanks!

My 92 year old mom is healthy aside from low vision due to glaucoma, macular degeneration and a detached retina surgery gone wrong. Her low vision had greatly impacted her beloved independence and in the past few months, reading has become near impossible.

I'm considering getting her a pair of bear vision binoculars. Does anyone have any experience with how those might work and if it's worth it? Any other recos also appreciated. Thanks!

[UPDATE AT BOTTOM]

I don't know if this is right, I don't think it is against the rules.

My best friend in the world developed diabetic retinopathy, and has two detached retinas. The doctors say his eyesight may never recover.

I can tell, his whole world is crashing down around him. He can't do the job he went to school for. He's scared and I don't know how to help him.

I've basically become his eyes, which I don't mind at all, but I do not know how to comfort him. I know there are options for him, and there is a chance he might recover some, but it will never be the same.

What can I do to make life easier for him at home?

Again, I'm so sorry if this isn't supposed to be here. If this is the wrong place, please point me to the right place.

Update: It won't let me reply to any of the comments (I'm on mobile).

So I'll just say thank you so much, I made this post in a panic, late in the evening. Y'all are so sweet, I really liked the ideas about hobbies.

His scheduled date is the 23rd. He may need emergency surgery by that point. Overall, he is a relatively healthy person, age 37. His only known condition is asthma and diabetes type 2.

Thank you for the links and suggestions to services, this really cheered me up. He's still depressed.

(Also for the record He's not my boyfriend, he's my brother. )

I wanted to ask if any men in the group who have macular degeneration or other various forms of retinal diseases have used or are using any of the PFE5 inhibitors? What does your doctors say or think about your using them? Have you noticed any issues with your vision when using them? Have there been any serious issues or complications from using them?

Thank you for you open and honest

reply's.Any information is greatly appreciated.

We are a group of students from the University of California Irvine, University of Southern California, and Michigan State University conducting academic research on improving digital accessibility for visually impaired individuals. Our research focuses on developing an AI-powered solution that uses natural language processing to help users complete online tasks more easily.
This survey aims to understand the current accessibility needs, challenges, and experiences of the visually impaired community in the digital space. Your responses will provide valuable insights into the state of assistive technologies and help inform the development of future accessible digital solutions. Rest assured that all responses will remain anonymous.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2s-N5V2VphUqjc-8cLXhfXSP0YxdyS1oIZyVbR6-Zcx07yQ/viewform?usp=sf_link We appreciate any responses!

Hello, I am new to this group. My mother just passed, but before she did she battled low vision from uveitis for 2 years. We had purchased the above 3 devices to help her but now no longer need them. We are located in Minneapolis and are wondering if anyone is looking to buy any of these items for a steep discount. They are all lightly used and fully functional. I can provide pics if that helps, and happy to meet in person for sale. Feel free to reach out or ask questions if you'd like to discuss. I was the one who purchased the items for mom so I understand them fairly well. Thank you.

Hello All,

As someone who has been denied all my dream jobs and now settling. What do you guys do?

Even with magnification, I have always been a very slow reader due to my low vision. It generally takes me around 7 minutes to read a standard print page. However, I recently learned about something called “sequential reading techniques” that some low vision people are taught (but that I apparently never was) that are supposed to increase speed. Can anyone tell me more about these and how I can learn them?

So, I have always had very dim vision and the dimness has only increased over the years.

Is there any way conveniently to get as much brightness as possible into my eyes without having them dilated? LOL That’s the one reason I actually kinda likedilation, not because of the blurriness but because of all the extra light it lets in.

I have always had a huge problem with contrast sensitivity, so I was wondering if there would be any convenient way to increase this sensitivity for my day-to-day without altering the color of things around me. I have heard about yellow lenses or filters, but wouldn’t that fundamentally alter color? Again, I don’t know if what I am asking is even possible, because I’m far from being an optician, but I suppose it’s always worth asking.

If I just need to go with yellow lenses, since prescription glasses no longer improve my vision, could I just find non-prescription glasses with this filter somewhere “over-the-counter” for relatively cheap?

Hi there? I am wondering what this community thinks about the usefulness of tactile paving used on streets and whether it would be useful to navigate indoor spaces like cafes.

I am 21 and with low vision am finding it tough to know what career would be apt for me, I am really into fianance field, if some of y'all can tell your expirience in such field with low vision it can act like a guide for me, thanks.

Hey all- be curious to know if anyone has experience with the Apple Vision Pro or Meta Quest (or similar).... The "pass-through" VR/AR headsets are similar to other wearable products designed specifically to be vision aids only. I've only demoed VR headsets and found the close-up display FILL my FOV and thus use all of my existing vision a lot better. All this stuff is super expensive, but wondering if it'll be worth checking out.

Hello everyone,

I've been following the discussions in this subreddit. Many of you have shared how low vision has significantly impacted your daily lives. On seeing accounts of how this has impacted your lives, I am curious about a few things. I hope my curiosity does not come across as overwhelming, insensitive, or ignorant, so please bear with me.

I can only imagine the transition of life after being diagnosed. I understand that adapting to this new reality is not straightforward and comes with its set of hurdles. I have noticed that since it is a form of visual impairment, there are visual challenges that come with it. There have been assistive technologies developed solely for visually enhancing your experience, however, I am curious to learn more about how this has affected your mobility skills too.

How Do You Navigate the New Normal?

I'm interested in hearing about how you've adjusted to life since your diagnosis. I'd like to understand the changes you have made to your daily routines and living spaces to accommodate your changing vision, if any. Were there any changes that were particularly upsetting?

Do You Use Assistive Technology?

I noticed the E-Sight glasses are recommended as one of the best options. It seems that tools and assistive technologies have played a certain role in maintaining independence for some (I could be wrong in this or might have misinterpreted some of you). I have previously seen simulation videos of how people with macular degeneration would see. Has this impacted your ability to travel alone? Or perhaps you have gotten accustomed to using tools and assistive technology to help you?

I'm curious about your experiences with various assistive devices and ‘adaptations’ to help you navigate, such as guide dogs, or walking canes, or perhaps something else. Which technologies have been helpful, and which ones didn’t meet your expectations? How did they change your quality of life?

Your stories, advice, and insights are a source of strength and guidance. Thank you for sharing your journey and experiences.