RESOURCES
Types of Visual Impairments
A visual impairment refers to both eyes having significant loss of vision that cannot be fixed with glasses. There are two categories for visual impairments, low vision and total blindness.
In order to be diagnosed with low vision, one must have sight with a visual acuity of 20/70 or less, that cannot be corrected with glasses. With a visual acuity of 20/200 or less, an individual is considered to be legally blind. Those with legal blindness usually are able to distinguish light and may be able to see forms.
Total blindness refers to possibly having some light perception, but little else.
Having a visual disability can be challenging. It’s also difficult to watch your loved one grapple with how to function in a sighted world. Hopefully the links below will assist you or your loved one to find some tools that will improve one’s quality of life.
Visual Aids
Handheld or electronic magnifiers
CCTV
iPads – Apple has visual accessibilities built-in
Talking and enlarged clocks
Talking and enlarged phones
Enlarged reading materials
Apps for the Visually Impaired/Blind:
Seeing Al—narrates the world
See It—video magnifier
Nearby Explorer—describes your environment
Be My Eyes—connects to sighted helpers
KNFB Reader – reads text