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IAAP VI SIG

By George Mueden posted 03-13-2016 18:16

  

 
    At least nine IAAP members have identified themselves as being   Vision Impaired and there must be more.  Our profiles and Directory do not recognize the visually impaired as worth identifying. I think that we should be regarded as a resource.  We should be learning from each other, but no mechanism exists that would provide a special space for our discussions of VI problems.
    An IAAP VI SIG based in a blog would seem to be a good place.  It has been suggested that its purpose and direction be spelled out at once, but I feel better about just providing the place and seeing how it grows as directed by the participants' contributions.
    As a start, it would be helpful to know what visual limitations are present and what we do and use to cope with them.  So here goes:
George Mueden,  eye reader, computer and CCTV set at 150% and high contrast, Windows 7 and IE, bothered by glare from graphics and by invisible information on the web.
     Your turn.  One joins by adding to this post and introducing oneself and offering whatever comment you have.

Cheers, gm

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https://accessibilityassociation.connectedcommunity.org/blogs/george-mueden/2016/03/13/iaap-vi-sig

Comments

Ike Presley
03-28-2016 09:39

Hi All,
I was born into a family with congenital cataracts back in the '50s. Grew up wearing "Coke bottles" glasses until my first clinical low vision eval at 16. First great tool was a bioptic for reading music in band. I loved it and eventually got another pair to became a bioptic driver in FL during the mid '70s, but FL decided to discontinue program after a few years. Have always used a 3-4X pocket magnifier for spot reading but learned to use an electronic/video magnifier (CCTV) in grad school at Florida State. Moved to Atlanta as a TVI in late '70s and found another low vision specialist who prescribed a conta-telescopic system that brought my acuity from approximately 20/160 down to about 20/70. This system is composed of a +25 spectacle lens worn over a -23 contact lens to form a telescope. It works very well and made a huge difference in my ability to better observe social interactions, general mobility and perform many other independent living skills. In 1992, Georgia passed a low vision driving law so I once again became a bioptic driver and have been driving ever since, daytime only, but still use public transportation when appropriate.
I work for AFB as a project manager and use several tools to help me do my job:
32" monitor on fully adjustable monitor arm
3x pocket magnifier
4x illuminated hand-held magnifier
older electronic magnifier connected to 32" monitor
ZoomText DocReader for longer reading tasks
Large print books (14-16 point) for pleasure reading
Audio books
I am really excited to hear about this group. It seems that too often the needs of people with low vision are overlooked because most people with low vision seem to find a way to "get by." This is especially true in K-12 education and it concerns me that we are not providing adequate services for these individuals to maximize their potential.
Okay, I'll get off my soap box and be quiet for now. Thanks for reading,
Ike

Kelly Wills
03-16-2016 13:26

I have light perception only, as a result of retinitis Pigmentosa. I primarily use JAWS with Windows 10 via Bootcamp on my MacBook. I also sometimes use Window Eyes and NVDA. I am comfortable with VoiceOver on the Mac side too, but do not use it as often as I use Windows. I currently use an iPhone as my primary smartphone, but have used Android in the past.
Unfortunately, with my current schedule, it is likely that I will not be able to contribute much on this site for the next couple of months.

Vincent Frank Martin
03-15-2016 17:03

I guess I have officially joined the fold. I also will be taking the certification exam next Tuesday.

Timothy Hornik
03-14-2016 12:54

I believe a special interest group of visually impaired IAAP members is warranted to allow us to interact with each other and share experiences. My sight stems from trauma, resulting in total blindness in the left and residual in the right. I primarily use Voice Over in OS 10 and iOS, with limited experience using NVDA in Win10 through a VMWare.

Erich Manser
03-14-2016 09:54

Great idea, George! Introducing myself, losing my sight progressively to RP (retinitis pigmentosa), currently on magnification (ZoomText or MAGic) using inverted color schemes with 2.5x magnification (limited voice, but now dabbling in screen readers). Also use Win 7. Firefox for browser. CCTV, iPhone 6 and assorted low-viz apps.