How to Improve Your Work and Personal Life with Low Vision Accessibility Tools
The above picture is of a keyboard. One of the large keys has the word "accessibility" written on it.
Improve Your Work and Personal Life: Low Vision Accessibility Tools
It's perhaps true that we live in a visual world. Any smartphone is a tap away from browsing images, video reels, or recipe inspiration. But could that new world become a barrier for those with vision impairment?
The short answer is no, and here's why. The same yearning for new ideas has led some bright sparks to invent accessibility tools that are changing the lives of those with vision issues. Read on to learn more.
What Is Low Vision? A Definition
Low vision is a specific category of visual disability. For most people, glasses, laser surgery, or contact lenses can correct any problem with our eyesight. But that's different for those with low vision.
Low vision can mean considerable blurred vision or blind spots that impact your everyday life, including moving around and carrying out a job. It can also include difficulty seeing in dim or low lights.
Plus, those suffering color blindness would also fall under the category of a low-vision impairment.
There are many causes for low vision. You may have genetic factors, or it could be age-related. Injuries around the eye and head can also create low vision issues.
Low Vision and the Impact On Your Working Life
If you have low vision, it can impact your work and career in various ways.
Low vision can make it hard to read documents, emails, or spreadsheets if you work on computers. That can slow your productivity and cause strain or stress in your working day.
Some with low vision find it difficult to recognize faces, which can present a challenge if you have a job where you work with people.
It can make it harder to communicate and interact, particularly if you have a customer-facing role.
You may also find it harder to work in jobs that require a high level of detail.
You will also need to consider the safety aspect of your working life if you have low vision. For example, you may find it hard to see warning signs, such as hazardous labels on materials.
Low Vision and the Impact On Your Personal Life
Low vision can also impact your everyday life. It can make using smartphones or watching your favorite TV program harder. It can also affect your ability to participate in hobbies requiring good eyesight.
Low vision can make everyday tasks like driving, shopping, or paying bills more difficult. If you need to take medication, there is also a safety issue because you have to read labels and instructions.
Low Vision Accessibility Tools
Fortunately, new low vision technology has emerged. If you have vision issues, here are the tools that will impact your home and working life.
Reading Tools
You can buy a magnifier to help as a reading tool. Modern magnifiers come in a range of sizes and styles.
So you can opt for one on a stand when reading desktop screens or a handheld one for printed documents. You can also buy electronic magnifiers.
These are either desk-based or portable; you can use them to zoom in on text or images. You can change the magnifying settings to a level that suits your needs.
Screen Readers
Another technological innovation is the screen reader, which is becoming more effective. You can add a screen reader to your computer or phone. These reader tools will speak the text on a screen.
That can be a massive benefit if you work on computers all day. It will give you a tool that reads out any text you need to do your job, whether email, report, or a website.
Speech Recognition Software
You can also use tools that help you create text documents on a computer, alleviating you from the challenge of viewing or checking the text on screen.
This speech recognition software turns everything you say into text, and you can use it to write emails, reports, or other documents.
Large Print Keyboards
You can buy keyboards with larger text and characters to help as a visual aid. Some of these keyboards also offer higher contrast colors too.
It makes it easier for you to see what you type and reduce the problem of errors. It's also a helpful productivity boost as you won't have to run so many checks on what you order.
Glare Reduction Aids
Reducing glare can help those with vision problems as it helps you avoid straining your eyes.
You can have desk lamps with special filters to help lower brightness. You can also buy special sunglasses to help reduce glare outdoors or when active.
Mobility Aids
You can find tools that help you get around.
For example, many navigation systems have a setting with voice instructions, providing you with an auditory guide. You can also use canes when walking in busy places to help you avoid obstacles and crowds of people.
Audio-Descriptions for TV
When watching something on screen, you can use audio descriptions to help you understand what is happening.
These audio tools will explain characters or objects on the screen that aren't explained via dialogue. You can also use these tools when gaming. And modern cinemas also offer audio support for those who are visually impaired.
Kitchen and Home Tools
There are also helpful gadgets you can buy for your kitchen. For example, you can find talking scales, making it easier to weigh ingredients when following a recipe.
Voice-command systems like Siri and Alexa are also valuable to those who find it difficult to browse the web on their phone.
Accessibility Tools: Making Positive Changes to Your Life and Work
Vision issues may feel like something you have to live with and adjust your life accordingly. But never forget the power of innovation to dramatically affect many aspects of your life.
Accessibility tools have transformed the lives of many with vision issues, and they could do the same for you, too.
At disABLEDperson, Inc, we don't believe disability is a barrier to your career dreams, which is why we work with top employers committed to diverse hiring. Search for our latest jobs here.