Guide
Seven tips for adapting to newly acquired vision loss
Tips for how to adjust to a new diagnosis or newly acquired vision loss or low vision, from someone with low vision that has progressed through the years.
Over the years, I have received a large volume of messages from people all around the world who are learning to adjust to newly acquired vision loss. Details such as their level of usable vision, the circumstances behind their sight loss, and their age can vary greatly, but my core advice about learning to live with acquired temporary or permanent vision loss remains the same, with a heavy emphasis on education and adapting existing tools. Here are my tips for adapting to newly acquired vision loss, or a new low vision diagnosis.
BECOME FAMILIAR WITH COMMON ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TERMS
It’s hard for someone to know what to ask for when they aren’t sure what is available. If I could go back in time, I would teach the younger version of myself and all of my teachers and family members about different assistive technology terms and tools that would help me tremendously as someone with low vision, as I never heard the term “assistive technology” until I was in high school, and even then I thought it was only for people who had vision worse than mine. I have a post with common assistive technology terms for low vision linked below.
RELATED LINKS
- A to Z of Assistive Technology For Low Vision
- Computer Lab Accommodations For Low Vision Students
- Five Myths About Assistive Technology
- What I Wish I Learned About Assistive Technology Before Starting College
- My Talk At A Future Date: What I Wish I Learned About AT Before Starting College
ADAPT FAMILIAR TECHNOLOGY AND DEVICES FOR VISION LOSS
One of the common assumptions about people who are blind or have low vision is that they are unable to use devices such as smartphones, tablets, or computers. This isn’t the case at all, as many consumer technology companies have invested in accessibility so their devices can be used by as many people as possible. I recommend going through the Accessibility section of the Settings menu and experimenting with large print, screen magnification, color filters, screen readers, and similar tools.
RELATED LINKS
- How To Make iPad Accessible for Low Vision
- Accessibility Settings I’m Using In iPad OS and iOS 13
- Low Vision Accessibility Settings For MacBooks
- Low Vision Accessibility Settings For Windows 10
- Low Vision Accessibility Settings For Android Phones
IF NEEDED, CHANGE HOW ITEMS AND SPACES ARE ORGANIZED
With my vision loss, a lot of objects appear to be blurry or run into each other, which can impact how I organize items or spaces that I spend a lot of time in. Some examples of adaptations I have made to items that I frequently use include:
- Having high-contrast, colorful items that easily pop against surfaces- it’s easy to find my purple purse or bright green duvet cover
- Arranging furniture so I am less likely to run into it
- Grouping/labeling cords and other small objects
- Organizing my jewelry in a light-colored hanging organizer so that I can easily see the different colors
- Storing items in a consistent location
- Using wall art and other visual landmarks to help with navigating a space
RELATED LINKS
- How I Decorate My Dorm Room With Low Vision
- How To Hack An Accessible Dorm
- How To Organize and Identify Cords For Low Vision
- How Do People With Visual Impairments Get Dressed?
- Twelve Blindness Cane Storage Solutions
- Adapting Keys For Visual Impairment
DOWNLOAD APPLICATIONS THAT CAN HELP WITH ACCESSING INFORMATION
There are so many awesome free applications and services available for people with visual impairments that can help with accessing information independently. For example, visual assistance apps can connect users to a live assistant or use machine learning tools to help with identifying a product or reading short text, while simplified reading displays can help to reduce the clutter on a display so that it is easier to read. Users can also choose to install third-party apps that can change the display of features on their devices such as the font size, keyboard, or home screen- in fact, my first ever post was on this topic!
RELATED LINKS
- Ways To Use Visual Assistance Apps For Virtual Classes
- Make Any Android Smartphone Accessible For $8
- How To Use Select to Speak on Android
- Microsoft Immersive Reader Review
- Be My Eyes App Review
- Google Lens Review For Low Vision
- Veronica With Four Eyes app tag
DON’T TRY TO LEARN EVERYTHING ALL AT ONCE
It’s common to feel frustrated over not being able to use a certain technology or to complete a specific task, and one of the main pieces of advice I have for people who are new to the world of vision loss is to be patient and not try to learn everything at the same time. While it is helpful to have a basic understanding of lots of different tools, it is unrealistic to try and learn how to use all of them simultaneously. I recommend choosing one task or tool and learning several different ways it can be completed or used- for example, if I wanted to be able to browse social media I would look at using on-demand screen reading tools, large print, simple screen magnification, and adjusting settings within the app.
RELATED LINKS
- Tips For Improving Confidence About Using Assistive Technology
- Dealing With Anxiety About Accommodations
- Ways To Read Webpages Without A Traditional Screen Reader
- How To Add Alt Text On Social Media
- Black Or White: Choosing Dark Mode For Low Vision
APPLY FOR SCHOOL OR WORKPLACE ACCOMMODATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Whether people are experiencing short-term or long-term vision loss, it’s helpful to apply for school or workplace accommodations as soon as possible, as it is much better to be proactive about getting services instead of being reactive and trying to figure out what services are needed after there is already a problem. It’s also worth noting that accommodations aren’t set in stone and can be adjusted as vision changes over time- for example, my accommodations from high school versus college were drastically different as my vision changed and I became better at self-advocacy and figuring out what I would need in the classroom.
For people who have long-term vision loss that need to learn how to do different tasks related to their job or independent living, vocational rehabilitation services can be an incredibly helpful resource, as they provide training and educational resources related to going to school and gaining meaningful employment. Many states have their own programs, so I recommend running a web search for vocational rehabilitation programs available in different regions.
RELATED LINKS
- Common Classroom Accommodations For Low Vision
- Ways To Practice Self-Advocacy In The Virtual Classroom
- Why You Should Get A Disability Services File
- How To Create A Disability Services File
- Vocational Rehabilitation for Students With Vision Impairments
FOCUS ON USABLE VISION
When adjusting to newly acquired vision loss, one of the most important things a person can do is focus on their usable vision and understand what they can see, instead of thinking about what they can’t. This is especially important for older people who are experiencing vision changes, as they are at a higher risk of depression and isolation related to vision loss, but it is important for people of all ages to be able to explain what they see in a brief and easy-to-understand way. It’s not enough to be able to just name a diagnosis, as many eye conditions can affect people in drastically different ways, or interact with each other to cause unpredictable vision loss. I have an entire post about developing explanations for usable vision linked below.
RELATED LINKS
- Learning To Explain Usable Vision
- Addressing The Trauma Of Sight Loss
- Blindness Canes and Paparazzi: Navigating College Campuses
- Answering Stranger’s Questions- Glasses Edition
- Answering Stranger’s Questions- Eyes Edition
SUMMARY OF TIPS FOR ADAPTING TO NEWLY ACQUIRED VISION LOSS
- Become familiar with common assistive technology terms
- Adapt familiar technology and devices for vision loss
- If needed, change how items and spaces are organized
- Download applications that can help with accessing information
- Don’t try to learn everything all at once
- Apply for school or workplace accommodations as soon as possible
- Focus on usable vision
By Veronica Lewis/Veronica With Four Eyes, www.veroniiiica.com
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