Sight loss feels very isolating. It’s common in older people but not so much in younger, yet even in older people it doesn’t seem much talked about. I think it evokes a primal fear in people.
I have found the RNIB helpline to be very helpful, apart from washer driers. They’re especially good on benefits. Also most areas now have a local blind association who can advise. The one in my area has a big resource area where you can have a play with various devices that assist with daily living.
@Moominmommaatsea if your DD uses iphone/mac or other divices, which is quite likely as they are the only operation system that carries a native screen reader, there is a brilliant website called Apple Vis. They review lots of programmes and apps for all Apple devices. They also have. a forum where blind Apple users worldwide discuss and review stuff. It’s been really useful for me.
I am pretty much totally blind I don’t have much in the way of specialised equipment. I learnt braille when I was a kid and I still have a braille machine, which I use to make labels for everything from CDs to spices. The RNIB plastic braille label paper is a mainstay in my flat. all I have apart from that is a liquid level indicator and various bumpons.
There are a couple of useful iphone apps I use. There’s one called beMy Eyes which I only use occasionally. You can click a button which makes a video call to one of their thousands of sighted volunteers around the world. Then you can use your phone’s camera to ask them what bus stop you’re at, or whether you’re holding the tinned tomato’s or spaghetti, or whether you’re holding the shampoo or conditioner. It uses the back camera but please don’t try it while not wearing any clothes, not that I have done that.
There is also a really useful app I use all the time called SeeingAI. It lets you photograph and read documents, short text, it has a colour detector although the light will affect the feedback, I think it does bank notes but not sure if it supports GBP, you’d have to check. It’s not 100% and you need a steady hand to read documents but I find it really useful for reading post etc.
There is a travel app called Moovit. It basically works like any other bus and train app but it’s accessible although I’m not too happy with the latest update. You can set up a live ride which will warn you three, then two, then one stop away from your destination. It tells you which bus stops are near by and what buses are coming. You can also access timetables.
If I think of anything else useful I’ll post more. I should do an AMA when I have time really.