Disability Talks

Visually impaired

Carrie Tynan

I was born with my visual impairment along with my other disabilities. Out of all my disabilities I feel my vision is the worst one. At a very young age I was fitted for glasses small enough to fit a cabbage patch doll.

Visual impairments are the result of functional loss of vision through eye disorders. Such as retinal degeneration, albinism, cataracts, glaucoma, corneal disorders, diabetic retinopathy and congenital disorders. There are several types of vision impairments the first one is partially sighted meaning special education services are needed due to vision problem. Low vision refers to an initial that is unable to read a newspaper at a normal distance even with glasses. They use adapted methods like large print materials, special lighting and brail. The third type is legally blind meaning a person has less then twenty / two hundred vision in their better eye or a very limited field of vision. Being legally blind also means you are unable to obtain a driver‚s license. In some cases people with vision impairments can qualify for a day driver‚s license. But due to my low vision I do not qualify for driver‚s license instead I have a state identification card. Totally blind individuals learn to use their other senses and learn brailed.

Like with dealing with any disability early intervention is the key to a Child‚s development. Vision problems can hinder their reading skills and small motor skills. Resources like brail or large print materials and magnifiers are brought in to enhance the Childs education. In school I had large print textbooks and any paper material was enlarged. I also had the option of having extended time for tests where they were read to me. Today I mainly use a magnifier to read, and due to my eyesight I do not drive instead I walk where I need to go. I am also very thankful I have family and friends who take me where I need to go like grocery shopping. My computer also has many accessibility features such as enlarged fonts and icons. There are also programs that offer features where the computer audio system read what is on the screen such as screen readers and talking browsers. They are a voice out put systems where Computer hardware and software products synthesized voice out put for text displayed on the screen and keystrokes entered on the keyboard. I currently I use a talking browser that reads what displayed on web sites I find it very helpful when I am doing research for my columns and book. I recommend visiting the following websites http://www.microtalk.com/ and http://www.econointl.com/ for more information on this technology.

Like my other disabilities I see my vision impairment as a challenge in my life and I am always look for new ways to improve the quality of my life.