Living with sight loss

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Living with sight loss

Where can I buy a talking watch or a white cane?

Submitted by Lindie van Zyl on Mon, 2011-01-24 10:24
Photo of various assistive devices

I need assistive devices like a talking watch, a white cane or a magnifier. Where can I buy these devices?

You can buy them from our Resource Centre. We have the largest Resource Centre in Africa. Click here to see our catalogue.

How does a blind person thread a needle?

Submitted by Lindie van Zyl on Mon, 2010-11-15 15:22
Photo of a blind lady threading a needle

Fortunately, help is at hand with an ingenious invention known as a self-threading needle!
The eye of the needle has a tiny hinge on a spring. When the thread is pressed down firmly, it springs open and, hey presto, the needle is threaded.

What should you do when you meet a blind person?

Submitted by Lindie van Zyl on Mon, 2010-11-15 14:59
Photo of three people in front of a house, one with a white cane

1. Always announce your name, even if they know you. Don't expect them to recognise your voice.
2. If necessary, touch the blind person gently on the elbow to get their attention. Don't grab a cane or pet a guide dog without asking permission first.
3. Offer your help, but don't be offended if the blind person prefers to cope on their own.
4. Address the blind person directly, not through their companion. There's no need to raise your voice; blindness is not deafness.

How does a blind person learn Braille?

Submitted by Lindie van Zyl on Mon, 2010-11-15 14:54
Photo of a girl reading braille

 

Sighted people who come into contact with Braille often remark that they don't know how blind people make any sense at all out of the rows of tiny raised dots.

So, how difficult is it to learn Braille? In fact, it's not difficult at all.

Mastering the basic alphabet seldom takes more than a few weeks and then, as with anything else, practice makes perfect!

How does blind people count money?

Submitted by Lindie van Zyl on Mon, 2010-11-15 14:47
Photo of the Coin Selector and the Money Template

What should you do when you meet a blind person?

Submitted by Lindie van Zyl on Mon, 2010-11-15 12:49
Photo of three people in front of a house, one with a white cane

1. Always announce your name, even if they know you. Don't expect them to recognise your voice.
2. If necessary, touch the blind person gently on the elbow to get their attention. Don't grab a cane or pet a guide dog without asking permission first.
3. Offer your help, but don't be offended if the blind person prefers to cope on their own.
4. Address the blind person directly, not through their companion. There's no need to raise your voice; blindness is not deafness.

How do I make visual presentations accessible to VIPs?

Submitted by Lindie van Zyl on Mon, 2010-11-15 08:20
Photo of Dr Rowland giving a presentation

Follow the link below for the WBU PowerPoint Guidelines on how to make visual presentations accessible to audience members who have a vision impairment.
 

Council, like the World Blind Union, recognises that visual aids are a standard feature of modern presentations, and often house styles and colours are required to be incorporated into them. The following guidelines are not intended to be prescriptive, but rather suggestions of good practice. They are designed to help presenters include all members of their audience.

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