Selected Articles from Past Newsletters

• Friends and Relatives (Sumer 2003)
  
  
• The Lighter Side of Low Vision (Winter 2002)
  
  
• Reading through listening (Summer 2002)
  
  
• That's Entertainment (Spring 2002)
  
  
• Enjoy your life! (Spring 2002)
  
  
• Moving Toward a More User-Friendly World. . . (Winter 2001)
  
  
• The Lights of the Season (Winter 2000)
  
  
• Making It Work, Working It Out (Winter 2000)
  
  
• New High-Tech Aids (Summer 2000)
  
  
• Attitude is Everything (Spring 2000)
  
  
• Envision Technology (Spring 2000)
  
  
• Support Groups (Winter 1999)
  
  
• Low Vision Accommodations at Area Theatres (Fall 1999)
  
  

Friends and Relatives

Many of you reading this newsletter do not have low vision but instead love someone who does. You want to be supportive but sometimes feel uncomfortable and unsure about the amount and type of help to offer a person with a visual impairment.

A client with macular degeneration supplied these tips for assisting a relative or friend who has low vision:

• Allow me to do as much as I can, even if it takes longer to accomplish a given task. I’ll let you know if help is required but let me take the lead in determining the amount of assistance needed. I’d rather take more time and remain independent than have you do everything for me.
  
  
• Provide specific directions. Rather than “the book is over there,” say “the book is on the far right side of the coffee table.”
  
  
• Push chairs under tables and keep cabinet and closet doors closed.
  
  
• Don’t assume a specific task is impossible because I have a vision impairment. Most activities can be pursued using appropriate low vision aids and adaptive strategies.
  
  
• Understand that it makes complete sense that someone with low vision can have trouble recognizing even familiar faces yet still notice a speck of dirt on the kitchen floor.
  
  
• Do not take my arm to guide me around; instead allow me to hold your arm just above the elbow. Alert me to obstacles such as stairs, doors, curbs, or thresholds. And don’t forget to let me set the pace.
  
  
• One of the sweetest sentences you can say to me is, “I have some extra time this week. What can I help you with?”
  
  
• Put items back where you find them. I often locate objects like canned goods by remembering their exact location; i.e. chicken noodle soup is on the right; clam chowder is on the left.
  
  
• Laugh with me. A sense of humor makes everything easier, and I haven’t lost mine, even if I have lost some of my vision.
  
  
• Communicate often and openly. (Obvious but often overlooked.)
  
  

The Lighter Side of Low Vision

All too often we focus on the difficulties and challenges presented by low vision. Not today, for in this issue of Vistas, we share with you a few humorous vignettes, none of which would have been possible without the story teller’s vision loss. We hope these four tales will add some extra sparkle to your already happy holidays. And from all of us at LVIC, best wishes for a wonderful 2003.

From Elly Waters, macular degeneration:

When I ordered season tickets to the Studio Theater, I explained that I am visually impaired and would appreciate seats as close to the stage as possible. Lo and behold we were given four seats, front row center. I was delighted but still pulled out my binoculars which help me see facial expressions. Very shortly I found out that the play's title, Privates on Parade, had a double meaning. It included not only military life but also male nudity. Not wanting to be known as a dirty old woman, I put the binoculars back in my purse.

Sooz Stein, macular degeneration

I was having lunch with some friends at a very formal restaurant. With my fork I speared what I thought was a potato. Unfortunately, it was actually a very sour lemon wedge. As my lips puckered, I tried to unobtrusively take the lemon out of my mouth, but of course, everyone noticed. The delightful part of having such good friends is that they laughed with me, not at me.

Anonymous, diabetic retinopathy

As everyone knows, faces are particularly hard to discern, so at a recent wedding, I stood in the receiving line shaking hands and accepting congratulations from many people, none of whom I could truly recognize. I was thanking one young man for attending the wedding when he said, laughing, “Wouldn’t have missed it, Dad!”

Stan Cohen, eye muscle weakness and macula problems

I am not aware of many advantages that are available for those who cope with low vision, except perhaps a handicapped parking sticker. But on a recent Elderhostel excursion from Prague up the Elbe River to Berlin, my perils on river boat gangplanks, inside dark Cathedrals, and on cobblestone streets proved to be an ice breaker which caused arms to reach out in concern for my welfare. Most often they were women instinctively substituting for my wife who was otherwise diverted at that moment, but some were men. Things like this never happened during the decades when my eyes performed as nature intended. Walls between strangers tumbled down, and it was the shortcut to many pleasant conversations and friendships with fellow travelers which substantially enhanced a memorable vacation adventure.

Reading Through Listening

Is reading The Washington Post too difficult, even with your good lighting, magnifier or CCTV? Then listen to The Post -- and other newspapers -- instead!

The Washington Ear and Newsline both read aloud via the telephone The Washington Post and other national newspapers cover to cover every day. The Washington Ear offers a radio option, too. Both are free services. Because Newsline is a computerized voice and The Washington Ear uses human readers, you should try both to see which you prefer. The Washington Post's free Post Haste service also offers news over the telephone.

For more info:
Washington Ear 301-681-6636
Newsline 301-946-0653
Post Haste 202-334-9000

[Editor's note" The Post Haste service was discontinued in May 2005.]

That's Entertainment

Do you enjoy movies but wish it were easier to follow the plot or understand the visuals? Luckily, there is video description that can help people who have low vision enjoy their favorite movies both in the theatre and at home.

Video description is a wonderful, free service that consists of narrated descriptions of visual elements -- actions, costumes, gestures, etc. -- woven into a film's audio track.

On your home TV, the Turner Classic Movies (TCM) cable station features a described classic movie every Saturday night at 6:00 pm, and every subsequent broadcast also contains the video description. Major networks, including PBS, Nickelodeon, CBS, and Lifetime, are also starting to feature video description on some of their most popular programs.

You can also rent described videos at many local video rental stores or buy them though DVS Home Video (www.wgbh.org/dvs or
888-818-1999 for a catalog of available titles.)
It's incredibly easy to access video description on your TV. All you need is a stereo TV or a VCR with S.A.P (Second Audio Program). S.A.P is a standard feature on nearly all televisions and video players. Simply activate the S.A.P. feature on your TV or VCR (follow the manual or call the manufacturer if you need help) and you will hear the video description.

Away from home, the General Cinema Owings Mill in Maryland (443-394-0060) and the General Cinema Springfield Mall in Virginia (703-971-4203) show video described movies. The Smithsonian Natural History Museum IMAX Theater also features video description.

With all these wonderful options, people with low vision can still enjoy both old favorites and the latest Hollywood blockbuster.

Enjoy Your Life!

Are you allowing your low vision to get in the way of experiencing the important, small joys of life, like preparing a favorite meal, visiting with friends or sending cards to grandchildren? Do you permit your visual impairment to determine what fun you will have? If you are, even a little bit, we've got one word of advice -- DON'T!

Utilizing low vision aids and coping strategies, you can usually do whatever you wish; you just may need to employ alternate means to reach your objective. For example, take Metro Access to meet some friends for lunch or use a bright orange ball to play golf (18 hole or miniature). Record a letter on cassette or use a writing guide to stay in touch with faraway grandchildren. Learn to use contrast and other tricks to cook.

Borrowing a cliché from Nike, just do it!

Moving Toward a More User-Friendly World for People with Low Vision

On November 14th, the Low Vision Information Center hosted a fascinating discussion about coping with low vision in the real world, the world in which people must bank, shop, dine in restaurants, and navigate our busy streets and sidewalks.

Before we summarize the event, we'd like to thank our outstanding panelists who not only offered important information on how their businesses and organizations provide extra services to people with low vision but also listened attentively to the many suggestions provided by the enthusiastic audience.

• Odonna Matthews, Giant Food
  
• Gerry Hemming, Giant Food
  
• Beth Ziebarth, Smithsonian Institution
  
• Claude Andersen, Clyde's Restaurant Group
  
• Denise Pope, Chevy Chase Bank
  
• Bruce Mangum, Mont. Dept. Public Works
  
• Stan Smith, Bradley Drug/Strossniders
  

Everyone learned from the dynamic interactive discussion between the panel and the audience, and the panel left with a great deal of knowledge about how large, readable fonts, talking devices, attentive customer service, and high contrast signs can make it easier for their visually impaired customers to handle everyday activities.

Chevy Chase Bank announced that they will soon be operating talking ATM's in select locations across the metro area, and Giant Food noted that they are working to make shelf labels, aisle signs, and ads as easy to read as possible. The Smithsonian reminded everyone that through tactile tours and large-print or recorded material that its museums can be enjoyed by everyone.

Strossniders and Clyde's discussed how they are able to assist visually impaired customers due to their well-trained staffs who are happy to read a menu or find a particular item. The Montgomery County Department of Public Works announced a new type of pedestrian walk signal in Silver Spring that makes it easier to cross difficult intersections.

To the many people who shared their ideas and to our wonderful panelists, thank you, and let's hope that this was just the start of many discussions between people with low vision and our community's stores, restaurants, and institutions.

The Lights of the Season

Twinkling lights on the Christmas tree, candles in the menorah. In the darkness that is the winter solstice, lights have traditionally been a way to celebrate and illuminate.

For those with low vision, lighting is especially important. Good overhead and task lighting are some of the most important keys to maximize remaining vision.

If you have a home full of appropriate light, including lamps to focus on your work, indulge yourself with an extra holiday cookie. But if you're sitting in a dim, poorly-lit room as you read this newsletter, give yourself the gift of light this holiday season. Fill your home with natural light, remembering to adjust the blinds to prevent glare. Buy some adjustable desk lamps to focus light on what you read. Treat yourself to lights in the kitchen that bring your counters out of the dark.

Let the right lighting -- whether it is fluorescent, incandescent or halogen -- brighten your holidays and all your days.

Making It Work, Working It Out

It's not often that we feature someone with low vision in our newsletter. Actually, we never have. Whether it offers you inspiration or simply entertains you for a moment, Bea's story is one worth reading.

Bea Dubroff, 75 years old, learned she had wet macular degeneration about 30 years ago. Determined to continue working, she searched for grants to purchase low vision aids and persuaded her employer to buy her a CCTV. She also was the first person to get a computer at her office and used cassette tapes to learn how to use it. Bea finally retired two years ago, which has been fortunate for the hundreds of LVIC clients to whom she makes follow-up calls through her volunteer job.

"Finding tools and community resources is the most important thing," Bea advises. A monocular allows her to enjoy exhibits at the art museum and plays from her front row seat at Arena Stage. A variety of magnifiers, from 4x to 9x, help her read bills and medicine bottles.

When she’s not taking Tai Chi classes, she uses a computer to write letters and Talking Books to continue her love of literature. She sits close to her TV, preferring a small screen to a large one, to watch the few programs she feels are worth watching. Bea also makes use of Newsline, free 411 service, Metro Access, and other local transportation services. Bea’s kitchen, tape recorders, computer, and other appliances are covered with bump dots she can see and feel.

Bea laughs when people call her a role model. "I just live my life. I cook, I shop. I get to doctor’s appointments and go to the movies with friends. You have to accept your vision loss and move on. I’ve got macular degeneration and a cataract in my right eye, my left eye has no vision from some treatment for a tumor on my retina, and I live alone. We’re lucky that in the Washington area there are so many community resources. And there are so many low vision aids that make an enormous difference. It takes initiative, but the results are worth the effort. My cup is definitely half-full."

New High-Tech Aids

In addition to magnifiers and non-optical products, new high-tech devices may help you maximize your remaining sight. Called CCTV's, reading machines or video magnifiers, these devices may be just the thing to help you read, write or do crafts. Recently, manufacturers have developed new types of CCTV's, so there are now many video magnifiers in a wide range of prices, each with unique strengths and quirks. Click here for more information on CCTV's.

We encourage you to investigate whether these low vision aids are right for you. A wide selection of these video magnifiers can be seen at Envision Technology (301-654-3568), Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (202-462-2900), and other places. Also, the Low Vision Information Center is proud to announce that it now has two new CCTV's in our office for you to try.

Along with its black and white Aladdin CCTV, the Low Vision Information Center now has Flipper and Max available in its demonstration center. Flipper is a small, portable, color CCTV that can flip to magnify material either on the table or on the wall across the room. The Max is an inexpensive, handheld, portable CCTV that looks like a computer mouse. The magnified images produced by both the Flipper and the Max can be viewed on a regular television or via a special pair of glasses called the "Flipperport" or "Maxport."

For people who prefer to wear their CCTV, there are head-borne devices that present magnified images onto small screens in front of your eyes. The Occutech-Autofocus, the Keeler and the Jordy are three such devices. These video magnifiers can be cumbersome and cannot be used for mobility, but they may be a viable option for managing your visual impairment.

Three color CCTV's are mounted on arms. One CCTV, called the Clarity, has an autofocus camera mounted on a swing arm. The Clarity connects to a television and comes with an XY table for easy reading. The Prisma model is mounted on a stationary arm but is easily portable and connects to any standard TV monitor. The Video Eye is also mounted on a swing-arm.

If you are interested in learning more about these CCTV's and video magnifiers, please call us at 301-951-4444. We'll help you now figure out if CCTV's can help you. Also, if you would like to see our new Flipperport and Max video magnifiers, please call us for a free appointment.

Attitude is Everything

By Amy Gabala, Executive Director

I've been Executive Director of the Low Vision Information Center for just about two exhilarating years. One of the most important lessons I've absorbed from this always-interesting job is how absolutely essential a positive attitude is to managing one's visual impairment.

I've seen some clients (fortunately not too many) who have minimal vision loss yet are convinced they can't cook or enjoy books. Instead, they resign themselves to living in a cold, dark world, rarely leaving their homes. On the other hand, I've had many clients who have severe vision loss yet continue to lunch with friends, manage their finances, and go to the movies. The only difference is attitude

There are many proven tricks for battling one's low vision and hundreds of adaptive aids to assist in that fight, but they only work if you have a 'can-do' attitude. The right attitude will help you succeed, whereas a negative attitude can only discourage you.

Most of our clients, if not all, have felt great loss and sadness from having low vision. Family and friends, low vision support groups, or therapists can help you deal with the anger, denial, frustration and depression that all too often accompanies a visual impairment.

Whether you're 55 or 85, whether your vision loss is moderate or severe, your life can be fulfilling and happy. Knowledge of adaptive aids along with a healthy dose of determination can prevent low vision from stealing the joy that rightfully belongs to you.

Arm yourself with a positive attitude and information. Give yourself the time to learn new ways of doing things. And please let us know if we can help.

Envision Technology Partners with LVIC to Provide Clients with High-Tech Help

Curious about dot coms and ecommerce? Want to learn how to e-mail your grandchildren? Need to know the tricks to making computers low vision friendly? Envision Technology is your answer.

Located in Bethesda, Maryland, Envision Technology can help you do all the above and more through their computer training for visually impaired people. Their personable, patient and proficient staff will help you use special low vision software programs such as Zoom Text or Jaws, as well as help you learn basic computer skills such as the fundamentals of Windows, word processing and e-mail.

Envision Technology can also help you choose computer and other high-tech products that will help you maximize your remaining vision. Their products, which include stand-alone and computer based reading machines, CCTV's and computer software designed for people with special needs, may just be the thing to help you read, write and enter the exciting world of the Internet.

To discover if their services are right for you, call Envision Technology at 301-654-3568. (Don't forget to mention that you learned about their services through the Low Vision Information Center.)

Support Groups

One of the most common questions we receive is "Do you know of any support groups?" Luckily the answer is "yes." With so many different groups and seminars, you are sure to find one that offers you the support, camaraderie, and information you need.

• National Capital Citizens with Low Vision - Meets at the Cleveland Park Library in DC. Contact Herb Guggenheim at 202-537-3346.
  
  
• Internal Light for Senior Adults - Offers three different support groups in Maryland. Contact Evelyn Sailes at 301-881-0100 ext. 6748 for more information.
  
  
• Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind - Meets the first Wednesday of every month from 10am to 12pm at the Columbia Lighthouse in DC. Contact Daniel Martin at 202-462-2900 ext. 3040.
  
  
• Glaser Murphy Retina Treatment Center - Offers seminars on macular degeneration every month at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD. Call 301-896-3100 for more information.
  
  
• Independence and Information for the Blind (and low vision) - Meets the first Thursday of each month at 10am at First United Methodist Church in Hyattsville, MD. Contact Gloria Garrett at 301-248-5044.
  
  
• Low Vision Support Group - Geared toward the employed and those seeking employment. Meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at Jewish Community Center in Rockville, MD. Contact Anita Cohen at 301-299-7077.
  
  
• Macular Degeneration Network - Offers three different support groups: (a) one Saturday morning a month at Sibley Hospital in DC, (b) every third Wednesday of the month at Holiday Park in Silver Spring, MD, and (c) changing day and time at the Fairfax County Government Center Auditorium. Call 202-234-1010 for more information.
  
  
• Macular Degeneration Network Share Groups - Offers two different support groups: (a) the fourth Tuesday of every month from 11am to 2pm at the Friendship Heights Community Center in Chevy Chase, MD, or (b) the third Tuesday of every month from 1pm to 3pm at the Falls Church Community Center in Falls Church, VA.
  
  
• DimView - Offers two different groups: (a) first Saturday of every month from 10am to 12pm at the Sherwood Regional Library in Alexandria, VA, or (b) second Friday of every month from 2pm to 4pm at the Little River Glen Senior Center in Fairfax, VA. Contact the Fairfax Access Services at 703-324-8380.
  
  
• VIP - Meets the first Friday of every month from 2pm to 4pm at Reston Regional Library in Reston, VA. Contact Gloria Sussman at 703-742-9070.

Low Vision Accommodations at Area Theatres

Many theater performances are accessible to members of the low vision community. So enjoy a show this year - with so many theaters, you're sure to find one that deserves your personal standing ovation.

• Arena Stage: 202-554-9066, ext. 234

  Large print program at all performances. Audio described performances on select Thursday evenings and Saturday matinees.
  
  

• Ford's Theatre: 202-638-2941

  Large print program available with advance notice. Audio described performances on select Sunday matinees and Tuesday evenings.
  
  

• Kennedy Center: 202-416-8727
  Large print program available at all performances. Audio described performances at select matinee and evening performances of all theatrical presentations.
  
  
• Olney Theatre: 301-924-4485, ext. 105

  Audio described performances on the third Thursday of each five week performance.
  
  

• Shakespeare Theatre: 202-547-3230, ext. 2520

  Large print program at all performances. Audio described performances on select Thursday evenings and Saturday matinees during each production.
  
  

• Metropolitan Washington Ear: 301-681-6636)

  Provides transportation to people with low vision to attend audio described shows.