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Friday, July 27, 2012

Flick the solution for all the visually impaired students

Being a visually impaired student presents you with different challenges than a sighted student would normally experience. A typical student wouldn’t think twice about being able to read hand outs or books, or copying notes off the board or even writing your own. These tasks cannot be completed in the traditional way for a visually impaired student. Without help from another person or adaptive technology it becomes nearly impossible to succeed in the classroom.


Most visually impaired students want to remain independent and do not want to rely on another student or classroom aid for assistance. That is where adaptive technology comes in. In the past few years adaptive technology for students has come a long way.

The flick is the perfect solution for any kind of visual disability that you may be faced with.

Flick being easy to use it helps rather than distracting you. As other portable video magnifiers take time away from learning flick lets you do the work faster than ever before. The camera being design with the visually impaired in mind it is the simplest to operate. You will never find yourself troubleshooting ever again due to the great easy to use software that comes with along with is camera.

The flick is able to magnify anything it’s pointed at, up to 80x times with incredible image quality. Which Is grate when you look in the distance and at print while still having the same crystal clear sharp image, this one camera Is also able to (OCR). Having the ability read back any piece of paper that you decide to throw under the lens, taking the strain off your eyes and take in information in an auditory way/

The small sleek and compact design is great when you don’t really want to stand out and not become the center of attention. Carrying it around is not a struggle when your classes are not close to one another. Other than just removing the camera and arm of the base and slipping it in to its bag, letting it be carried around without an issue.

The flick has its own built in 9 hour battery, so it will not draining your laptop or windows tablet. Letting you get the most out of your assistive technology

Overall this camera is perfect for anything, being a student and telling you from my first hand experience I just can’t recommend this camera enough.



Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Fantastic Ideas for Summer Fun

Having low vision is difficult, often times you may be the only individual within your group who has low vision and you may have trouble finding activities that everyone is able to enjoy.


Since it’s the season of hot weather, it would be a crime to go the whole summer without going swimming. This would be a great way for one with a vision impairment to step out of their comfort zone and do an activity with the same amount of confidence as if they did have perfect vision.

Another thing that a lot of visually impaired people seem to miss out on is bike riding; but there can be a way to experience the same thrill. With your help and a little thing called a tandem bike, this allows the sighted person to steer and the visually impaired individual to pedal. This allows both people to experiencing the same thrill and rush of wind.

Hiking is another great activity to consider. Although, it doesn’t offer the same adrenaline rush as biking – it can be a fantastic way to get outside and enjoy nature. Be sure to describe to the visually impaired person what the scenery looks like and enjoy it along with the sighted individuals in the group. There is nothing quite as relaxing as taking a calm stroll through the woods appreciating nature’s beauty.

For most blind or low vision people walking in an unfamiliar place is a terrifying struggle that doesn’t have a happy ending. Depending on how sever the vision impairment is, walking may be dangerous without a sighted buddy.

Now for a something a little more extreme but still a lot of fun – indoor rock climbing! This is perfect for someone that’s visually impaired because it’s safe and everything is in a controlled environment. Going indoor rock climbing can be loads of fun and it gives you the sensation of actually climbing on a real mountain side, but it is completely safe.

Have a child or teen with low vision? Look into the following camps!

The following camps are one week long summer camps for children/teens with low vision. Both camps, “Life” and “Campabilities”, are designed specifically for blind or visually impaired kids.

At “Campabilities” you sleep in a cabin along with other campers and have an opportunity to do things such as water skiing, archery, swimming, hiking, and many more great activities. This is the perfect opportunity for any child with a visual disability to interact with peers who are also visually impaired.

Another great thing about gatherings like this is that you get to meet other people with the same kind of vision problems that you are facing; making you feel more comfortable. These camps are a ton of fun and the kids always look forward to going back the following year.

I hope that these summer activities help you to have a great summer!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Spring is Here! Get Walking



Spring is here and it is time to get outside and enjoy the nice weather so put on your walking shoes. For many who are visually impaired getting outside to stay active can be a daunting task. However, walking and hiking can be a great activity that can be enjoyed if you follow some helpful tips.

First consider meeting with an Orientation and Mobility Specialist who is trained to teach you safe techniques for maneuver your journey. You will want to let them know if you will be walking alone or with friends and family. Here are some other things to consider. Create a routine our route that you can follow consistently to learn the particulars of the route, such as sudden drop-offs, curious pets, brush or protruding branches.

Walk with a friend or family member who will be able to point these things out and let you now if there are unforeseen objects in your path including construction. Ask if your local parks have special paths for bicycles and joggers so that way you'll know what side to walk on. Carry water for hydration and a mobile phone in case of an emergency. Try taking a sensory walk or hike so the focus is on enjoying the environment with your senses instead of focusing on the distance. The other thing you may want to consider is joining a walking club in your area.

This will allow you to get outside and meet some new people and enjoy a healthy activity. So get out there and enjoy this beautiful weather! Please let us know what types of other activities you are doing to stay active. ruth@visiondynamics.com

Friday, March 9, 2012

" I wish I could read but I can't see a thing"



So you want to read but you feel like there is nothing out there that can help you accomplish this because your vision is almost non existent or you are completely blind. Well I am here to tell you that is malarkey. Whatever your vision challenges are you CAN read. We are so excited to introduce NEW scan and read products from ABiSee! Smart Magnifiers that read printed text ALOUD to you. Just sit back and enjoy effortless reading with confidence that you wont miss a word. The Eye-Pal Vision and Eye-Pal Reader are completely redesigned with simple to use buttons an impeccable quality camera that will amaze you with its accuracy, and an easy listening voice that allows you to choose a female or a male. The Vision's reliability, accuracy and ease of use will enable users to overcome challenges of everyday life and create opportunities to enhance their quality of life at work and at home. With the auto-focus zoom able camera you will be able to read pill bottles, recipes and other fine printed materials as well as documents and your favorite books and magazines. Multiple pages will no longer be a problem. Say goodbye to eye strain. The monitor allows an added feature to follow along and is the perfect size for the magnification mode. The Vision also serves as a powerful electronic magnifier to view photos, crossword puzzles, billing statements or packages that come in the mail. You can place just about anything under the camera and even change the contrast with the push of a button. This is a much simpler and hassle free way to read with no training required.

For those blind users or those of you that would like to give your tired CCTV eyes a break let the Eye-Pal Reader take over by reading out loud to you! Instantly scan an entire 8.5 X 11 page without missing any text lines. The Reader does the same thing as the Vision without the magnification mode. Give yourself the gift of reader and contact us with any questions about these wonderful new products. Live better, your worth it. Call today! We look forward to hearing from you. 203-271-1944

Friday, February 17, 2012

Staying active this winter.

We have had such a mild winter here in Connecticut that it has allowed many of us to stay active outside. Regular physical activity benefits both physical and psychological health. and reduces the risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and stress-related illnesses. It has also show that along with some simple lifestyle changes and a regular routine it can significantly improve the quality of our lives and increase our chances for longevity.
There are many activities for visually impaired people to enjoy and participate safely in. Jogging and running is a great one. A site challenged person can use a sighted guide to help direct them in there running course or they can use a tether which would be an item, such as a towel or rope, held between the guide and the individual with the vision impairment. This allows the runner the ability to feel free and safe while running and it also gives them the ability to enjoy an activity with others. If you have low vision and do not need assistance then running on a track can be a great option for those of you who want to be independent but not alone. Most tracks have high contrast lines to mark the lanes and do not have bumps or other items that may inhibit a runner. Some people use a caller. This technique requires someone to run towards a voice or a sound. The runner is able to freely move and is not restricted by having to hold anything. If you are the caller you can use verbal commands or even a bell. This technique is often used at track meets for the visually impaired athlete and allows him or her the ability to compete in a sport for there school. Another option, if it's too cold out or there is bad weather, is a treadmill. These machines can be enjoyed in a controlled atmosphere and gives people the sense of confidence and independence because they can do this activity on their own.
Whatever your visual impairment or level of fitness is anyone can benefit from some physical activity so get out there and give it a try. You will feel better!