Courtesy tips for guiding people

Courtesy tips for guiding people

by | Mar 7, 2020 | Blog, News

Have you been asked to guide a person who is blind/low vision? Here are some pointers:

  • Allow the person you are guiding to hold your arm and follow as you walk.
  •  Move your guiding arm behind your back when approaching a narrow space so the person you are guiding can step behind you and follow single-file.
  • Stop briefly at a curb or at the beginning of a flight of stairs. Tell the person you are guiding whether the steps go up or down, and allow them to find the handrail and locate the edge of the first step before proceeding.
  • Do not grab the person you are guiding by the hand, arm, or shoulder and try to steer them. Nor should you grab the person’s cane or the handle of a dog guide’s harness.

Want to find out more about orientation and mobility for people who are blind/low vision? Reach out to us at 973-627-0055 ext. 1312!

How can you tell things apart?

How can you tell things apart?

by | Mar 4, 2020 | Blog, News

Ever wonder about how people who are blind/low vision can tell different items apart, even though they have the same shape?

• Technology! There are different apps that can read labels for you or get you real-time assistance from a sighted person.

• Braille Labels! If you can read Braille, using a Braille label is a simple solution for telling apart which can contains soup and which contains vegetables.

• Rubber bands. Tying some rubber bands around a shampoo bottle can help tell it apart from conditioner.

We teach several different techniques for organization, medication management, and more at our Essential Low Vision Program. The next session takes place on March 4th. Join us! Registration is required for this event. Learn more by emailing us at lgroszew@vlanj.org or by calling 973-627-0055 ext 1312.

Screen time

Screen time

by | Mar 2, 2020 | Blog, News

Happy Tech Tuesday. Let’s talk screen time 📱

How many hours do you spend on various screens per day and how does that affect your eye sight?

Although there is no consensus of how much screen time is “healthy” for adults or kids, most ophthalmologists and researchers recommend not spending more than 2 hours per day on technology devices/ television.

Excessive screen time can cause eye damage, mostly due to strain, resulting it eye irritation, dryness, headaches, fatigue or blurred vision. It can also affect posture and mood. What can you do about it?

⏱️ Set timers for yourself at intervals that work for you, and set reminders for when you should tune off of social media or shut the TV off.

📱 Use the screen time setting on your Apple device. The settings let you limit your access to various apps based on time of day or time of usage.

👀 Take an eye break. Every 20 minutes or so, look away from screens and try to focus on something more distant. Taking a walk to grab a glass of water, or looking out the window are great alternatives.

📺 Don’t watch TV or movies in bed and avoid looking at your phone screen right before bed.

🍽️ Eat your meals without a screen.

Courtesy tips!

Courtesy tips!

by | Feb 27, 2020 | Blog, News

If you see a person who is blind appearing to be in need of assistance:

  •  Introduce yourself and ask the person if they need assistance.
  •  Provide assistance if it is requested.
  • Respect the wishes of the person who is blind.
  • DON’T insist upon trying to help if your offer of assistance is declined.

Animation of Wet and Dry Macular Degeneration

by | Feb 23, 2020 | Blog, News

Not all vision is 2020 – February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) awareness month.

AMD is the leading cause of vision loss among people 50 years of age and older in the United States. What is AMD really like and what does vision typically look like with this condition? Watch this brief video to find out!