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Making Life Easier:

Making Life Easier:. Low-Tech adaptations for Living independently Presented by Jean Johnson & Paul Deeming. Overview. Becoming a Creative Thinker Use of Direct Lighting Eliminating Glare Use of Color Contrast Use of Relative Magnification Marking Appliances Labeling Techniques

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Making Life Easier:

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  1. Making Life Easier: Low-Tech adaptations for Living independently Presented by Jean Johnson &Paul Deeming

  2. Overview • Becoming a Creative Thinker • Use of Direct Lighting • Eliminating Glare • Use of Color Contrast • Use of Relative Magnification • Marking Appliances • Labeling Techniques • Organizational Skills • Useful Tools For Home Management • Four Important Gifts

  3. Becoming A Creative Thinker • When living in a visual society, the challenge for the visually impaired is to think and develop non-visual ways of performing daily tasks at home. • Must become a “Creative Thinker”. • It is hard to change old habits. • Over the years we are constantly changing in order to grow and survive. • Remember, life is change!

  4. Use of Direct Lighting • Light shining directly on a task or work site. • Need to experiment with types and intensities: • Incandescent • Fluorescent • Halogen • Full Spectrum (Ott-Lite) • LED • Flashlight can be an effective tool around the home. Note: Lighting that enhances vision for one person may not be effective for another.

  5. Eliminating Glare • Place shiny objects where light will not reflect off them. • Place dark, absorbent material on reading or work surface. • Wear glare-reduction glasses. • Wear a visor. • Install window treatments: • Shear shades • Horizontal/vertical blinds • Window film (glare control)

  6. Use of Color Contrast • Make print or objects more visible. • Examples: • Black print on white background or white print on black background. • Black contact paper to line one side of refrigerator or medicine cabinet. • Black and white dinner or cook-ware. • Use contrasting plates, tablecloths, placemats and napkins.

  7. Avoid busy prints or fabrics. • Paint the edge of dark steps with yellow/white or use yellow tape. • Paint cabinet doors to contrast with countertop. • Install knobs or handles of contrasting color. • Install contrasting cover on electrical outlets. • Place low tables on a different floor surface (contrasting area rug).

  8. Use of Relative Magnification • Definition: Bringing the object closer to the eyes. • Examples: • Bringing reading materials closer to the eyes. • Lowering wall clocks to eye level. • Placing frequently used food items on top shelves inside the refrigerator door. • Sitting closer to the television.

  9. Marking Appliances • Keep it simple. • Use color contrast if possible. • Useful tools: • Hi-Marks • Bump-Dots • Velcro (adhesive backing) • Puff-Paint

  10. Considerations: • Use Hi-Marks or Velcro for marking stove dials and thermostats. • Use Bump-Dots for appliances with touch pad controls (digital oven, microwave). • Use Hi-Marks, Bump-Dots or Velcro for washer/dryer. • Note: Marking washer/dryer dials with clear overlays can present a problem. Tape the overlay to the dial so it will move with the dial. 6/1/2013

  11. Labeling Techniques • Useful tools for labeling household or personal items: • Magic marker ( large print “homemade” labels) • Puff-Paint • Rubber bands • Safety pins • Voice label recording/playback system (Penfriend)

  12. Methods for Labeling: • Canned Foods • Frozen Dinners • Medications • Clothing

  13. Organizational Skills • Organize, organize and organize! • Developing a simple and easy system to help you remember what you have and where things are. • Return things in their place and ask family/friends to do the same.

  14. Examples of organizing: • Use of cafeteria-style tray when preparing a recipe • Use of multi-drawer storage unit • Zip-Lock bags for placing coordinated accessories together • Arranging furniture to facilitate walking inside the home • Wearing a carpenter apron when working on a project

  15. Useful Tools For Home Management • Scissors Tray/plate for spillage • Set of funnels Liquid Level Indicator • Needle nose pliers Marked measuring cups • Ove glove Marked measuring spoons • One Touch Can Opener Turkey baster • Pull Ring Can Opener

  16. Hi-Mark/Puff-Paint 20/20 pen • Bump-Dots Signature guide • Velcro Check guide • Digital recorder Letter guide • Ott-Lite Envelope guide • Power surge protector Safety pins/rubber bands

  17. Four Important Gifts • Gifts a visually impaired individual can give to oneself: • 1. Patience • 2. Organization • 3. A good friend to listen • 4. Self-Advocacy

  18. Paul Deeming, M.S. Vision Loss Resources, DeafBlind Services Minnesota 612-843-3442 pauld@dbsm.org

  19. Jean Johnson, C.R.T. Vision Loss Resources 612-843-3410 jjohnson@vlrw.org

  20. @VLRcommunity Let’s Connect! facebook.com/VisionLossResources Company Page: Vision Loss Resources

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