February is not only low vision awareness month, but also age related macular degeneration awareness month. This is a great opportunity to learn more about this common eye condition that affects millions of people around the world, especially those over 50. In this blog post, we’ll explain what AMD is, what causes it, what are the symptoms, how it can be diagnosed and treated, and how you can cope with low vision caused by AMD. We’ll also share some tips and resources to help you make the most of the vision you have. Whether you have AMD yourself, or you know someone who does, this post will ..read more

Galileo Galilei is one of the most famous and influential scientists in history. He made groundbreaking discoveries in astronomy, physics, mathematics, and engineering, and challenged the established authority and dogma of his time. He is widely regarded as one of the founders of modern science and the father of observational astronomy. But did you know that he also suffered from vision loss and blindness in his later years? How did he cope with his visual impairment and continue his scientific work? How did his poor eyesight affect his life, career, and discoveries? In this biography, we wil ..read more

Are you blind or visually impaired and wondering how to achieve your work and financial goals? Do you want to learn more about the benefits and services that the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers to people with disabilities? If so, you have come to the right place.  In this article, you will find some useful information about the “Ticket to Work” program, as well as the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, that may help you improve your income and independence. But before we dive into the details of these programs an ..read more

O&M training is a specialized instruction that teaches you how to orient yourself in your surroundings and travel safely and efficiently. If you have vision impairment, you may find it challenging to navigate your environment and move from one place to another. You may feel frustrated, anxious, or isolated by the barriers that limit your independence and mobility. However, you are not alone. There are many resources and services that can help you overcome these obstacles and achieve your goals. One of these is orientation and mobility (O&M) training. In this article, you will learn mo ..read more

AIRA is offering an amazing opportunity for free to anyone who wants to experience this year’s Super Bowl. This promises to be a great way to participate in this type of live event. I will be listening in and strongly encourage others to do so as well. I will cover The event in more detail on an upcoming episode of the Life After Blindness podcast. If you’d like to share your experiences, please comment below or send an email to: tim@lifeafterblindness.com Here is the official announcement from AIRA: You’re Invited! To a virtual Super Bowl party with Aira on Sunday, February 4th from 6:00 p.m ..read more

10 ways the iPhone has impacted the blind On January 9th, Apple celebrated the 10th anniversary of the iPhone. Yes, it’s been 10 years since Steve Jobs announced to the world what would become a revolution. A revolution that was limited to the sighted at launch. But with the release of the iPhone 3GS in 2009, the blind and visually impaired community rejoiced in amazement at the implementation of the new screen reader called Voiceover. Prior to the release of Voice over on the 3GS, the blind were relegated to using very specific models of phones for accessibility. These phones didn’t offer th ..read more

Living with a disability or chronic illness can be a challenging experience, both physically and mentally. For people who are blind or visually impaired, navigating the world can require a significant amount of sensory input, which can be exhausting. This is where the Spoon Theory comes in – a metaphor that can help explain the experience of living with limited energy or sensory input. What is the Spoon Theory? The Spoon Theory was created by Christine Miserandino, who has lupus, as a way to explain the experience of living with chronic illness or disability to others who may not understand ..read more

Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), is where we celebrate the significance of accessibility and inclusion for individuals with disabilities. GAAD serves as a catalyst for change, raising awareness, promoting acceptance, and driving advancements in technology, laws, and regulations. In this article, we will delve into the history and growth of GAAD, its impact on public and corporate acceptance, its influence on technology, laws, and regulations, and most importantly, its profound effect on the daily lives of individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, we will explore how recognizing GA ..read more

Understanding the differences between blindness and visual impairment is crucial in order to properly provide support and resources for those who have these conditions. While both blindness and visual impairment involve a decreased ability to see, blindness refers to a complete or near-complete loss of vision while visual impairment is a reduced ability to see, even with correction. This article explains the differences between these two conditions, the causes of vision loss, and the impact on daily life. It also provides information on resources and support available for those affected by bl ..read more

The following is dedicated to my Grandpa Deters who taught me love, respect, patience and how to give the best hugs. Let’s imagine that you are a four year-old boy from the midwest. You are tall for your age, uncoordinated, knobby-kneed and silly. You’re creative, playful and full of energy. Your favorite past-times are reading stories with your mom, climbing trees, riding your bike and playing with your He-Man action figures. “I have the power!” Like most kids who grew up in the 80s, my public exposure to blindness came from Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and Tom Sullivan. It was pretty cool to ..read more