The Next Phase of Telehealth: Adapting to Post-Pandemic Healthcare Changes

by Amanda Bernath During the height of the pandemic, many services, including healthcare, education, shopping, and entertainment, shifted to online platforms. My favorite pandemic changes were the rise of online shopping and the expansion of delivery options and curbside pick-up. The new level of convenience was amazing, especially when it meant I didn’t need to … Continued

Transportation— A Critical Need for Older People who are Blind or Low Vision

Editor’s note: This post is another in our series related to Older Americans Month. Transportation remains an ongoing problem for people who are blind or low vision, and this post lays out some of the efforts that are underway to increase accessibility. Guidance Documents on Making Transportation More Accessible Recently, Neva Fairchild, National Aging and … Continued

Front Porch Community Services

By Katie Wade, Senior Director of Creative Engagement, Front Porch Editor’s note: Just in time for Older Americas Month in May, APH VisionAware brings you this post about an exciting nationwide program for older people to help prevent social isolation and promote involvement. Front Porch Community Services provides a great service to help older people … Continued

Diabetes Education:  An Important Topic for Low Vision Awareness Month

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new cases of blindness and low vision in adults aged 20-65. Retinopathy is a term that describes damage to the retina of the eye. Diabetic retinopathy is the result of high blood sugar due to diabetes. Some of the symptoms of this condition are: Blurry vision or double visionFlashing lights, which … Continued

Hispanic Heritage and Albinism: Celebrating Diversity

by Amy Lynn Smith Editor’s note: Kayla Ludlow is a proud Latina who has low vision due to albinism. Having fair skin and hair, Kayla shares that those she meets don’t initially believe she is Hispanic. Kayla utilizes social media to educate the public on diversity. Kayla Ludlow loves being a Latina. She’s proud of … Continued

Additional Disabilities: When Blindness Isn’t the Only Barrier in Dog Guide Training

by Alexis Read Editor’s note: Alexis Read shares the importance of selecting a dog guide school that will tailor training and tools to your specific abilities.  I was born with a visual impairment and other disabilities that affected me physically and neurologically.  My visual impairment hinders both my central and peripheral vision, which causes complications … Continued

Social Isolation and Loneliness: Major Risks Factors for Older People

Social isolation and loneliness are major concerns for older people in general but have particular significance for older people who are blind or low vision, as detailed in a recent article on VisionAware. What Do We Mean by Social Isolation and Loneliness? Social isolation has two components: physical and social. It occurs when people are … Continued

Celebrating Helen Keller’s Enduring Legacy, and a Symposium Invitation

It may be hard to imagine, but Helen Keller – who was born June 27, 1880 – and her beloved teacher and friend, Annie Sullivan, were their era’s equivalent of TikTok stars.   Annie famously taught the deafblind Helen to learn language by forming letters in her hand, after which Helen learned to write, read braille, speak, and give public speeches. When Helen was an … Continued