Editor’s note: This post is the second in our series leading up to White Cane Safety Day on October 15. Be sure to read the first: October 15: White Cane Safety Day – VisionAware. Not Just a Guide Dog School Leader Dogs for the Blind in Michigan is dedicated to preparing people with vision impairments to travel safely and independently with either … Continued
This year is the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. The ADA National Network , formed in 1991, celebrates 30 years of service as the nation’s provider of guidance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act. The purpose of the ADA law is to prohibit discrimination against individuals with … Continued
It has been a long and lonely year for many of us. COVID-19 forced us into isolation and disconnected us from our families and communities. However, it also inspired creative ways to stay in touch and conduct our lives through the digital world. Virtual meetings, Zoom events, and conference calls have allowed people to see their loved ones, conduct their business, support … Continued
Vision loss can happen suddenly or gradually in adulthood. Each eye disease has a characteristic pattern of loss and progression, so the impact is very individual from person to person. Total and sudden vision loss is very traumatic, and it requires immediate interventions and training. However, many eye conditions impair vision slowly and often in stages. This type of progression provides its own challenges. More often adults with … Continued
Though age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of low vision and blindness in Americans age 60 and older, research has improved prevention, treatments, and outcomes of this disease over the last 10 years. During this month, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) wants to remind people with AMD that they can save their vision with lifestyle changes and new treatment advances. Early detection of … Continued
As we enter 2021 with the hope that a new year brings, I have been reflecting on this pandemic lifestyle and what we have endured. It takes me back to another time when I was stuck at home. I used to say that losing vision benched me from the game of life. It was as if once … Continued
Elder abuse is a growing concern with 1 out of 10 adults age 60 and older reporting some form of abuse in the U.S. In this difficult time of increased social isolation, family stress, and limited resources due to the pandemic, there is a chance that elder abuse is increasing. What can we do about this? We … Continued
An alarming number of older adults are aging with vision loss. Your loved one may be one of them and most certainly will have some unique needs. Unfortunately, social and rehabilitation agencies that serve people with visual impairment are often under-funded and overburdened, making it difficult to meet the needs of this growing population for … Continued
In Part 1 of this series I discussed good diabetes management. In this post, Kim Ladd, RN, BS, CPHQ, CDE, who works for the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired as a diabetes educator, shares the “thumb-guide technique” she developed and states, “Many people with low vision or no vision are successful in … Continued
Many people with diabetes are living with some degree of vision loss caused by their disease and this can make diabetes self-care more difficult. The American Diabetes Association estimates that 12,000 to 24,000 people in the United States lose their vision to diabetic retinopathy each year. Diabetes also raises the risk of developing cataracts, glaucoma, … Continued