Utilizing Your Remaining Sight

-Rubber bands or silicone bands to mark shampoo/conditioner/body wash, salt/pepper, can be used for many things.

-Hair elastics and scrunchies can be used as colorful markers and can be purchased at dollar stores. Great for adding to restaurant cups to make them more visible.

-Drawer bumps/bumpers can be found in home improvement sections and are less expensive than “bumps dots” from catalogs such as Maxi-Aids. They have the clear, self stick dome shaped bumps, as well as pads made of felt, cork, or velcro for different textures.

-Puff paint can be used instead of bumps and stay in place better. You can also use colors that you can see (if you still see color), and there are neon colors available. They require at least four hours to dry to the touch, 24 to fully harden, they are also easy to remove from a hard surface. They can be found in craft stores, department stores with crafting supplies, and can sometimes be found at dollar stores. Be sure to get “puff” paint as it dries in 3-D.

-We discussed ways to make a somewhat invisible white refrigerator visible.

*use a rug in front of the fridge 

*use tape to mark the front-painters tape and auto body tape won’t leave a sticky residue.

*use large magnets or a magnetic sign for the front of the fridge.

-Wardrobe solutions. Desiree talked about a number of ways to help identify different types of clothes.

Rolling T-shirts and using colored rubber bands to tell them apart.

Hanging outfits together using hangers that hold both shirt and pants.

Separate closet’s by grouping colors, using a flocked hanger in between to separate colors (tactile identifier).

WayAround tags are not low tech but work very well to identify many things around your home. Amazon has a starter set of 60 tags for $75.

Deon said he now uses his Meta glasses to help him pick suits for work. He also mentioned that there is a YouTube video that talks about 35 ways a blind person can use Meta glasses but I was unable to locate it.

-Cafeteria trays for food prep in the kitchen, as well as for crafting and other household uses, get creative!

-Sporks-if a fork and spoon had babies, this is it. These are not the sporks from Taco Bell, they are stainless steel. You can find a variety of styles and colors on Amazon, don’t leave home without one-I don’t!

-Use a cork as a liquid level indicator. Put it in the cup you are pouring into, hold your palm close to the top of the cup. As you pour the cork will touch your hand and it’s time to stop pouring. You can purchase battery operated indicators that run between $10-$15 from catalogs like Independent Living Aids, and LS&S.

-Room identification. 

You can use different colored lights around doorways so you know where your bathroom/bedroom/kitchen are.

You can also use sounds-talk radio in one room, a small fountain in another, music in another room.

-Desiree mentioned lighted coasters. A quick check on Amazon shows sets of 12 starting at under $13. For those of is that see light and are sensitive to it, this could be a way to use it to your advantage. I may need a lighted coaster to go with the sporks in my purse.