Simple gadgets that have rocked my world
I am a geek. I love technology and I love gadgets, so when I registered blind and found out that there was a whole new world out there of gadgets ‘n’ stuff specifically designed for little old me, I was delirious. I spent countless hours trawling the internet to see what I could buy.
There are a lot of really cool things for visually impaired people, but I was also quite surprised at the hefty price tags on a lot of items. If employment rates of working age people in the UK who are visually impaired is estimated as 33%, then surely the cost of some of these gadgets must be prohibitive.
So, I thought I would share the gadgets that I use that I cannot live without and what is actually ironic is that these are the simplest and the least expensive.
Talking clock
This has got to be the ugliest thing I have ever seen. It is a big rectangular brick that has two buttons: one you press for the date, one for the time. That’s it. No fancy LCD, radio controls, etc. Just date and time at the press of a button. Simple. I use the thing all of the time and boy is my husband grateful......
Liquid level indicator
This is my best friend. I can make a cup of tea for myself without flooding the kitchen. You just pop it on the side of a cup; pour the hot water in and two beeps when it reaches the right level for tea or coffee and one long beep when you put the milk in. Genius.
Coloured chopping boards
As I have RP and have problems with contrast, having different coloured chopping boards for different coloured foods is now essential. I love cooking, so this one is a biggee.
Kitchen timer
This has big numbers and is very easy to use and allows me to just get on with cooking, which now takes a heck of a lot more concentration. Not to mention the fact that I am also hopelessly forgetful.....
Anything and everything by Good Grips
Well, the name says it all. All of their products are great because you just grab and can’t let go until you want to. Yes, in addition to being VI and absent minded, I am also a total klutz, so these bad boys have come to the rescue plenty!
But what about you? Any handy tips? Pearls of wisdom? Please share here.
About Sandi
Businesswoman Sandi Wassmer registered blind in 2008. In her blog, she shares with us the 'shenanigans of visual impairment'.
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Comments
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My braille watch is something I couldn't live without. It is a simple gadget as well, and a life saver for someone like me who likes to know what time it is, but doesn't want anyone else to know I'm checking the time.
Posted by Alena Roberts, 3 June 2009 (3 years ago)
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have you tried Vodafone for talking mobiles they put the Talk System on free, good choice of phones.
Posted by Trevor Merchant, 4 June 2009 (3 years ago)
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The range and availability of all of these toys can be a great source of reassurance and hope. Many things became more possible for me over the past thirty years since my registration as a blind person.
My most deeply-held frustration, however, is with the total lack of that most simple and obvious visual aid, a good magnifying glass!
You csn see them online, but who knows whether they will be fit for purpose.
Why don't "opticians" stock serious ones any more?Posted by Freddie Weldon, 8 February 2012 (3 months ago)
