Welcome

I’m Hannah Fairbairn and this is my blog. I’m here to help you with questions you have about personal, home, and social life with vision loss. Comment on any post, email me, or subscribe to receive occasional email updates:

Hannah@VLPRBLOG.com

Vision Loss and Personal Recovery

An exciting announcement from a big provider of online streaming entertainment

As detailed in the press release, DareDevil [which features a blind superhero] is available today and other Netflix originals will be available with audio description in the coming weeks. Hopefully, Netflix will continue this trend and make audio described movies and tv from other providers available in the near future. For those of you using […]

For a person with little or no sight there are practical and emotional difficulties about using a public restroom. So much of vision loss is about finding things with your hands, and also not being able to find things you need like the flush. You are also afraid of what your hand might touch! You […]

When you first lose vision you may not want to go near the TV set or the movies for a long time. You miss the faces, the expressions and the action too much. And it is horrible having to keep asking what is happening or where the ball is. After some years this may change […]

Two of the big interviews; Bob McGillivray on video magnifiers (March 24 ) and Vicki Vogt on accessible TV and movies, were delayed first by the outrageous amounts of snow we had in Massachusetts, and now by the looming tax deadline. Vicki and a ton of good information will be posted next Tuesday, April 7. […]

What does each kind of video magnifier do? Who can get good use from them? Where can you get one? How much will you pay? I interviewed Bob McGillivray, Director of Low Vision Services at the Carroll Center and Low vision Engineering Consultant to the Mass. Commission for the Blind. First what is a video […]

This is the first of the three interviews announced in January. . This week, how a compassionate and caring rehab teacher works with clients who are often stunned by their loss of good sight. He is asking his clients to use a white and red cane and go out into traffic! How can he help […]

It is March and the snow continues to drizzle down. We all wish it was spring, but why not take advantage of the snow to make your houseplants happy? You can use snow for watering and even feeding houseplants. Snow melt may give plants extra nitrogen, and certainly avoids the chemicals used to treat […]

Do you have any of these in your home? ~ Steps and stairs without railings ~ Clutter and unorganized spaces ~ Tripping hazards such as cords running across the travel paths ~ Corner of a bedspread drooping onto the floor ~ Furniture in the travel path so you have to turn sideways to get through The Safe […]

The Good Old Money folding system This works best if you have a long slot or pocket in your wallet that will hold the 6-inch bills unfolded. There are alternative folding systems but here is a good one: The $1 is left open and unfolded either in a front pocket for easy access for tips […]

How to use Be My Eyes After a short and simple registration, you tap the screen to connect to a helper, and then point the camera at whatever you need read or explained. What is different about this crowd sourcing app from previous ones like VizWiz is the voice connection with your helper. Your helper […]

Vision loss and Personal Recovery

WHEN YOU CAN'T BELIEVE YOUR EYES

Welcome

When You Can’t Believe Your Eyes

Speak Up Skills

Vision Loss and Personal Recovery

An exciting announcement from a big provider of online streaming entertainment

Do You Know when Your TV Shows Are on? Do They Have Audio Description? Or Are You Still in the Dark?

Help With Your Tax Return : April 15 is 2 weeks away!

Video Magnifiers: An Expert Leads You Through The Maze

Interview: A Mobility Professional Discusses the Art of Getting Clients Past Their Fear

If Life Gives You Snow, Water Your Houseplants!

A Hazard-Free Home for Seniors with Vision Problems: the Safe Home Project

Organizing Your Cash By Touch: Part 2 of Identifying Your Money, The Good Old Money folding system

Be My Eyes: A New App For a New Kind of Public Assistance!