Your Booming Market Awaits

I met Andy Karp, of the Jobson Optical Group, at LITE 2009 and he graciously extended an invitation to write a guest column for Vision Monday, an online and print publication covering the optical industry. I was delighted to do it and used my 350 words to reconfirm (just in case anyone was wondering) that we (people with low vision) want good looking things, too!

Read my column titled, “Your Booming Market Awaits.”

Signs of The Times

The printed newspaper, before long, will be a piece of nostalgia. I understand the desire of some to hang on to their dependence on newsprint, as I was forced to quit some time ago. It was not a habit I particularly wanted to kick, but one of the first things to go with declining vision is the ability to read newsprint – small fonts, bad contrast.

With such difficulty, one might think it best to let go, turn on CNN and be done with it. I tried, but quitting for me proved equally as difficult. It is no surprise that I moved with the herd to The New York Times on the Web, and while a definite improvement, it was still not the news-reading experience I was dreaming of.

Then, just a few months ago, I had, what I consider, a major breakthrough. Having signed up (reluctantly) for nytimes.com daily emails with “Today’s Headlines,” I was delighted to discover that I could scroll through article headlines, synopses, and links to full articles. Once linked, I click on “Print” to get a cleaned-up version of the article, which makes reading much easier with my eyes--or with my computer’s speech, a satisfying experience.

Sounds like a pretty simple solution, and indeed it is. Took me a while, but today I’m feeling it was worth the trip. Especially since so many people I’ve shared this with are switching, happily, to my method of reading nytimes.com, whether they were struggling or not. Good for me, better for everyone. Try it!

I continue to dream of the day I will be able to choose how I read the “paper” online. I will be able to select the font, the contrast, the layout, and I even get to choose the voice in which the paper is read to me, aloud. I know that day is coming!

Share The LIKE

I want to hear from You!

Last week, hundreds of you joined us for LITE 2009, Lighthouse International Technology Expo, showcasing a variety of accessible tech items, designed to make life a little easier, for people with impaired vision.

I, like you, am seeking information, and my best resource, always, is people, passing the word. I have a long list of tips from others, and I always hope to repay the favor, by passing it forward, sharing it with another..

I’ll kick off the sharing with my biggest “LIKE” from LITE 2009 – Universal Access. Wickopedia’s definition: Universal access refers to the ability of all people to have equal opportunity and access to a service or product from which they can benefit... (read more). Certainly not a new concept, but somewhat of an emerging movement in accessible technology, driven by the massive ageing population, which I am delighted to be advantaged by.

This is the stuff my dreams are made of. LITE presentations by Apple and Google representing their passion and commitment to Universal Access. Their success proven by the fact that I use many of their products every day; iPod, iPhone, Google Accessible Web Search, Gmail, Blogger, Goog411.

Now it’s your turn to “share the like.”

What did you like at LITE?

Did you find what you were looking for?

LITE 2009

Lighthouse International Technology Expo 2009

The day we've all been waiting for is almost here! Join us on Thursday, September 17, from 9:30am -- 4:30pm for LITE: a FREE technology expo showcasing assistive and everyday accessible technologies that make life easier for people with vision loss.

Throughout the day, see demonstrations, ask questions and get the latest information from more than 25 exhibitors showcasing their products and services. Visit www.lighthouse.org/LITE for a full list of vendors.

And don't forget to RSVP for one (or all) of our exciting seminars, including:

11:30 am Apple Innovations in Accessibility
1:30 pm Google's Accessible Solutions
3:00 pm Jitterbug's Simple Approach

All seminars are completely free, but sign up early, last year's events were crowded! To RSVP, or for more information on each of the seminars, visit www.lighthouse.org/LITE
See you Thursday!

Goog-411 Will Set You Free

I lean heavily on 411. I use 411 information not only for the obvious telephone number searches, but also as my own (backup) navigation tool. For instance, if I am trying to find a store or restaurant in a location unfamiliar to me, I will call my destination ahead via 411 direct dial and ask for specifics like side of street, how many buildings from corner, color of awning, what is next door? With the push of a button and a few clearly spoken words, I can find the nearest Starbucks, or talking ATM at Bank of America. It’s my own version of the “easy button.”

Everyone needs 411 from time to time, and at a rate of $2 per call, just one call a day can double your cell phone bill for the month. If your vision impairment is significant, you may qualify for a 411 exemption with Verizon or AT&T (documentation required).
Or anyone can use 800-GOOG-411, Google’s free 411 business directory. It’s simple and I find the results better than the ones you pay for. Remember, GOOG-411 provides business listings and you can search by name or category. Program it to your speed dial: 800-466-4411.
Come on, get yourself free!