Living independently with visual impairment can present some challenges, but it can be made significantly easier with the help of living aids, in particular hearing and vision aids. With so many aids out there, it can be difficult to know which ones will be most beneficial. So, to make things simple, we’ve put together a brief guide to some of the many products that can help people with limited vision to live more independently and enjoy greater freedom in their daily lives. However, it is important to choose which aids will be best for you or your loved one with personal preferences and needs in mind. You should also bear in mind any advice given to you by medical and care professionals.
What kind of household items for the visually impaired are available?
There are now many aids for the visually impaired that can help them to retain their independence in the home. Some are simply oversized versions of ordinary household products, such as reading aids for low vision, whilst others use advanced technology to enable a wide variety of domestic items to be identified. Below are some examples of household items for visually impaired people that can be of great benefit:
- Big button telephones
- Large format items
- Audio labelling devices
- Clocks, watches and kitchen scales
- Braille aids
- Magnifying glasses and reading aids for low vision
- Electronic magnifiers
- Extra bright reading/daylight lamps
Big button telephones
Phones for visually impaired people have large, clear, high-contrast buttons that allow them to be easily seen and operated. They sometimes feature backlighting to ensure greater visibility in low light. Another useful feature of these aids for the visually impaired includes single-button memory dialling or picture phones, which enable the user to dial pre-programmed numbers simply by pressing a photo on the keypad. This feature removes the need to dial long numbers and is also helpful for people who may be prone to confusion.
Large format items
There are several types of aids for the visually impaired that have enlarged features to make them easy to see and operate. Some examples of these include TV remotes with oversized controls or computer keyboards with large, high-visibility keys.
Audio labelling devices
Audio labelling devices are ingenious systems that allow the user to make customised labels for all manner of household items. These can be used for items such as canned food or bottles, or to add important notes to calendars and shopping lists. A short message, corresponding to the label, can then be recorded and the system will play it back when the reader is passed over the label.
Clocks, watches and kitchen scales
Clocks, watches and kitchen scales come in visual-impairment-friendly variations with large, clear numbering and high-contrast characters - typically black on white. Some of these products also feature backlighting and a speaking function that can be used to conveniently reveal the time, date or weight.
Braille aids
Braille can be extremely useful to people with visual impairments, and manufacturers have now developed various products that make use of it. Examples of these products include braille-labelled plug grips that make it easy to recognise which plug matches which appliance, and braille pill organisers that enable the user to select the right tablets for the right day.
Magnifying glasses and reading aids for low vision
This is quite a broad category of visual impairment aids, though both help in enlarging small things that could be hard to see clearly. The most useful kinds of magnifying glasses are light and wieldy with a comfortable, easy-grip handle. Many also come with additional built-in lenses to give extra magnification, and with integrated lights to enhance visibility in darker conditions. Also available are hands-free magnifiers that can be worn around the neck or placed on a table top on their own adjustable stands.
Electronic magnifiers
With displays that are often brighter and significantly more powerful than conventional lenses, electronic magnifiers come in a variety of sizes and configurations. They range from small, hand-held devices with their own in-built screens, to systems that combine a television screen with a hand-held reader that is used in a similar way to a computer mouse. Such systems can produce high-contrast displays with very high magnification (e.g. 24x magnification on a 20-inch television screen.)
Extra bright reading/daylight lamps
Daylight lamps that give natural colour rendition and a brighter, higher contrast light are ideal for people who enjoy reading or handicrafts. Look for lamps with low-energy, daylight-coloured bulbs; 11 to 13W might be sufficient for a low-level desk lamp, but a higher floor-standing lamp might require as much as 27W.
Household items for the visually impaired at Complete Care Shop
With plenty of household items for visually impaired people in our range of disability aids, you can find just what you need to live your life independently at Complete Care Shop. If you need any further help with our products, we have plenty of services available to assist you.
Our qualified and friendly professionals will be more than happy to help you when using our Expert Advice services. For help in deciding which aids for the visually impaired will best meet your specific needs, you can speak to one of our Occupational Therapists who can advise you in detail. For any other queries and support, don’t hesitate to contact us.
