A Distance Learner Showcase

January, 2004
Bill Driggers of Birmingham, Alabama and his lovely assistant Nancy presented the first in a series of Distance Learner Showcases.
Bill's BrailleNote QT did most of the talking while Bill sat back smiling. Nancy Burtron's accompanying demonstration of the devices was straight from The Price is Right.

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Good Afternoon fellow classmates and friends! 

Welcome to SCRATCH AND SNIFF
the first presentation in a series of Shows and Tells

My Master, William (Bill) Driggers has directed me to facilitate a journey through adaptive devices for the blind and low vision. Master has arranged an array of devices on the table for you to peruse at your leisure, and I will take the next few moments to acquaint you with the devices. I have been programmed to start with myself.

I am the equivalent of a sighted person's lap top computer. I have many functions. I can calculate, I have a daily planner or calendar, I have an address book, I have a word processor, I can go on-line and surf the Internet. I have a tremendous capacity for storing information through my disk memory. I can interface with scanners, printers, PC’s and other devices. I have a Querty keyboard, just like your PC or lap top, I also speak, and my master can raise or lower my volume or turn my speech off. I have a refreshable Braille display, or I can make myself into a Braille reading machine for my master.

I can do anything your lap top can do and more. I can lead my master down the street with my GPS system (just like the ON STAR system in a Cadillac car). I have a couple of cousins, the Braille note with the Braille input is just like me, with the exception of the key board, instead of all these wonderful keys it just has the basic six Braille input keys, it has a braille reading display with refreshable Braille. People who are serious Braillers prefer entering data using the six Braille dots only. I can also be switched to enter or input data using six keys on my HOME ROW of keys. My master can type in alphabet type, or direct me to input in Braille using just six of my keys. I can translate print to Braille and Braille to print, which is fun because my infrared port can send print to a printer, or my data can be sent to a Brailler to produce Braille.

My other cousin is the VOICE NOTE, it has a regular key board and no Braille display, it only talks, which is great for newly blind who can use the keyboard and do not read Braille, they can have a personal laptop that is easy to use and has speech output. My master loves me very much and with the exception of bed, I am always with him, (well not always I have not been to the shower room yet).

My master has a number of devices with him today. We will start with the Communication Aids. People who are blind or have low vision have differing needs in the area of communication tools, Master has brought both blind and low vision aids and I will attempt to label each device for the population it benefits. Large print is useful to many individuals with low vision.  Commercial large print items can be bought from many vendors, also an individual can produce their own large print items.  Some of the things we will share with you today are the large print address book, the large print cookbook, and the large print check register. Additionally, we produce our own phone card and address boxes for personal use, and large print note pads and grocery lists using bold line paper and 20/20 pens, which produce heavy dark lines with excellent contrast. We also make large print labels for foods, canned and frozen, cassette tapes and CDs, and medications.

Money, money, money, money
Once a person who has low vision is able to produce written things they can read, using large print, we assist them in producing written things they can use to interact with sighted people, such as letters, checks, envelopes and other things. Totally blind folks can also use these devices to produce written documents for sighted people.This is a check guide. The check is inserted in the device, the door is shut, and then using a regular ballpoint pen, the blind or low vision person writes inside the windows to complete the document. My master has made a check guide for large print checks, which are available through regular commercial banks. The blind or low vision individual can continue to manage his own money and budget with the aid of the check guide, the phone for balance inquiries, using the debit card (just say charge to the clerk and you do not have to manipulate the key pad which is impossible to read), and Braille or large print Bank statements.  Money is personal and folks with low vision or who are blind can manage independently, many folks are also using direct debits for monthly bills, which are on annual averaging for convenience and budgeting purposes.

Dear John...
This next little thing is great for birthday or anniversary cards as well as, those monthly bills you choose to mail versus using a debit transaction to complete. This is an envelope guide, and it works exactly the same as the check guide, you just (Master always recommends using a paper clip – just so it doesn’t slip) put it over the envelope and write in the windows. Master has brought three writing guides for you to experience, they are also used with a regular ballpoint pen, and they all work in the same manner, some people prefer one over the other, but master likes the clipboard style.  A person with low vision or who is blind just puts the paper under the guide and writes in the window or the guide area. This not only keeps you on line and straight, but the horizontal bar on the clip board, and the bead on the string guide, or your pointer finger on the plastic guide moves with you, left to right, to help you keep your spacing and avoid writing over previously written characters.

This is a script board; a person who is blind and has not learned to write using the alphabet can practice creating their individual letters with this device, and learn how to make each print letter.

Ronco Pocket Pal
A handy – dandy little pocket device that fits in the wallet and is extremely portable is this little signature guide, the blind or low vision person just pulls it out of their wallet and politely asks the individual who wants their signature to place the window on the line or spot where they need to sign and then the blind or low vision person uses there sense of touch and feel to locate the window so they can write their name. Easy and simple and lets the sighted person off the hook for having to help get the blind person and the pen to the correct place and in the correct position to sign what ever it is they need to have signed. Also is helpful, if the blind person can predict that a signature is required to pre-empt the dreaded spread concept when the person needing to get a signature asks the sighted guide  “Can you sign for him?” Master has other writing techniques, but this is enough to provide you with a sense of what a person who is blind or has low vision can do in the realm of writing.

One Ringy-Dingy
Now we will move on to other communication devices. The big button phone is popular and easier for low vision individuals to see, and it can be marked with bumps, dots, Braille or raised print to make it more tactile and more user friendly.  Blind individuals also enjoy a little bit bigger buttons, which has more definition between buttons, for ease of locating the buttons while dialing. The little touch pads on microwaves or the recessed or flat cell phone surfaces are often difficult to Braille (Braille as a verb means to feel and discern through touch – Master says the blind often Braille things to get a visual picture of them – and Master says that the Blind often JOKE about brailing each other, which could result in a slap if someone objects to being brailled (BLIND HUMOR – ha ha).

Another communication aid that is useful is this talking calculator – it speaks each key as you press the buttons.  Another device is the indoor – outdoor talking thermometer which speaks the temperatures. It can be set to announce every hour or just on demand.

This Tape Will...
Master's favorite communication device is the tape recorder; he provides recorders to most of the folks he works with. He provides the standard tabletop cassette recorder to folks to keep by the phone for taking messages and recording notes as they see fit. He also provides the pocket Micro-cassette for folks to carry with them – to facilitate note taking while they are out and about. If you see a little old man walking down the grocery store isle, pushing a cart with one hand, and holding a micro cassette recorder up to his ear with the other hand, and the voice on the recorder is that of a little old woman, you can be assured that one of Master's students has learned her lesson well and is using the recorder as Master has instructed. 

Good Advice
There are many other communication devices available and Master suggests that you research items carefully and find the correct fit for your VR consumers. Just because a device or accommodation is recommended for a blind or low vision person, doesn’t necessarily mean it is a good fit for your individual consumer. Master finds that a lot of students have “PREJUDICES” regarding some devices so the device will not work until the student is willing to be open to accepting and learning the device. Master works with many SENIOR adults and a large number of them are “Gadget – Phobic” and they view the Micro-cassette recorder as a device that they will never be able to use correctly – as long as they believe they can not use it  - they never will learn to make it useful.

Let’s move to the kitchen and look at some devices to assist in the kitchen. There are many items for the kitchen for the blind and low vision; we will spend just a moment on the concept of tactile markings and appliances. If a person can not see the numbers on a dial or a display, they will have a hard time setting that device. Using differing methods dials or displays can be marked so a person can touch it and line up lines and dots to set temperatures and options. Many items are now being manufactured with touch pads – that are flat and have no tactile distinguishing features – these include microwaves, toaster ovens, stoves and other appliances. It is much easier for a person to use appliances with dials versus touch pads, as dials can be marked for tactile use. If you are going to provide an appliance to a person with visual problems – look for dials and not the smooth touch pads - Enough said about dials versus touch pads.

The kitchen is a fun little place for people with visual limitations. Master says that blind people love to eat, and I guess he knows what he is talking about, because he has shared food with me on more than one occasion. Did I tell you about the time Master spilled spaghetti on me and I had to go to the Braille Note Hospital in California to get cleaned up? Master is upset with me; I am only to portray him in the most complimentary light. Master treats me with the utmost respect and care.

In the kitchen Master uses and teaches the use of many helpful adaptive accommodations. One item that is particularly useful to people with low vision is the high contrast cutting board. This two-sided board has a white side for cutting green and red items, and a black side for cutting white and yellow items. Folks with low vision benefit from using the highest level of contrast available to them. Master also recommends using this gripper mat to assist with contrast. Many kitchen surfaces are white or light colored; Master puts a piece of this mat under a plate or cup to increase contrast and to keep the item from sliding.  If a person is stirring a bowl of dough, the mat under the bowl will keep the bowl from sliding all over the counter top. This gripper mat is useful for contrast and sliding problems throughout the entire house and Master uses it in the bathroom on the counters and on the night table next to the bed. He also has lined all of his kitchen shelves with this grip matting. Master also recommends folks with low vision use white cups for coffee and dark glasses for milk – IT IS A CONTRAST THING.

Moving on...pouring liquids is a visual thing and to assist folks with low vision or who are blind we have the finger technique, drape your finger over the lip of the cup and when the tip of your finger gets wet – STOP POURING! We also have pour spout reducers, which fit into bottles and reduce the flow of the liquid in the bottle, and my favorite is the LIQUID LEVEL INDICATOR – it works exactly the same as the finger, but it is more high tech  – and it is great for hot liquids like coffee that could burn your finger. The kitchen can be a bit dangerous but with your handy-dandy 17-inch oven mitts – one for each hand – the danger is reduced a bit.

Measuring is a fun activity for people who like to bake. Master recommends using the black measuring cups, as most dry measures are white like sugar and flour and baking soda, and it provides a higher level of contrast. The same with the measuring spoons. People who can not read the sizes of the measuring cups or spoons need to keep the sets together so they can compare the sizes and select the correct size. Measuring oil and vinegar and milk and other liquids by the spoonful is often difficult. Master said that many of you have had little spills while attempting to measure one teaspoon of cooking oil. Master has solved the liquid spoon measuring problem with these handy little measuring ladles; just pour your oil in a bowl or covered container and dip out the correct amount – no spills.  Many other kitchen devices are available for people with low or no vision, a couple more include the double spatula, which allows you to lock onto that slippery piece of meat and flip it over without spilling it off the spatula and the knife with a guide, for slicing meats and veggies.
Finally the tactile timer has raised numbers and slashes to count off minutes. Many people find this timer to be useful for multiple uses.

A Sound Body

Let us leave the kitchen and move on to health care. Many people with low vision or blindness may have additional health issues. The fact that they can not see may often times keep them from effectively managing other medical conditions independently. People with diabetes and low vision, diabetic retinopathy, need to learn to manage their diabetes. Some additional concerns for diabetics are weight control and blood pressure. Master suggests that people with diabetes learn to manage their disease independently, as sighted help is not always available when needed. 

To aid in this process, we have a glucose monitor with a voice box that speaks the readings to the individual. The sure drop guide allows a person who is experiencing neuropathy to put the blood where it needs to be to get the glucose reading. There is also a talking blood pressure cup, which speaks the blood pressure reading out loud. Devices for measuring insulin are also available. The Count-a-Dose measures insulin for the ½ cc syringe and the Load Matic can handle the 1cc syringe. Each device pulls insulin in units, and a tactile and auditory click denotes the unit has been pulled.  The diabetic just clicks the device, as many times as the number of units he needs. Master insists that an individual practice with sighted medical assistance until they become proficient using these devices.

Another device that is useful to the blind is the talking scale to monitor your weight. Some lower tech devices in the arena of medical accommodations are the 4 by 7 or jumbo pill sorter boxes. Using a pill sorter box not only ensures you have the correct medicine, but it also allows the individual to monitor missed doses – if it is in the box – you evidently haven’t taken that particular dose. Medicine vial magnifiers and syringe magnifiers are useful to some individuals with low vision. A talking thermometer is useful in taking temperatures. The talking medication identifiers accommodate a prescription bottle and can be re-recorded when the medicine needs of the individual change. Medicine IDs are also available for liquid medicines and uniquely shaped bottles, they attach with rubber bands or straps. Finally, administering eye drops can be a bit tricky for the blind or low vision. This handy dandy auto drop guide can assist with guiding the drops into the eye with little mess or fuss. Recording data (necessary to support some medical and health conditions) can be done using large print or the handy little recorder. Individuals who are able to manage their own health and medical care have a significantly more independent lifestyle. Waiting on help or assistance for medical or health care limits a person’s independence.

On Time, Looking Sharp

Telling time is easily accomplished through large print (low vision) clocks and watches or talking clocks and watches. They come with a wide variety of functions and features. Master has brought 5 different clocks and watches that you can experience and delight in.

There are a large variety of items to help throughout the house and with specific chores, we have a variety of needle threading devices, some sock locks to keep your socks together, a tactile tape measure, and a pair of U.V. shields. U.V. shields block the ultra violet light allowing the wearer to maximize all of his residual vision in the bright sunshine.

Clothing color identification can present a few problems for those with color blindness or blindness. Master has a lot of different techniques to identify clothing. In his personal life he coordinates his business attire by only purchasing black, navy blue or dark gray slacks. He then only purchases white dress shirts. With these combinations he can wear any tie, and he keeps his “theme” ties separated from the everyday ties. Theme ties do have Braille labels on safety pins so they can be easily identified. Master also only selects black shoes and socks. He has three dress jackets and they are all unique based on style and cut so they do not present a problem.

A lot of low vision people only have problems with colors that are difficult to distinguish under any circumstances, and still have a good ‘bright’ color discrimination. They may be able to get by with putting an identifying safety pin in the hem of the NAVY Blue item and then they can tell black from navy blue.

Folks who need additional assistance can use any combination of tactile markers to label clothing. A button kit is available for your exploration as well as examples of homemade button identifiers. Simply give each different shape a color id and you are on the road to color identification and matching.

We also have a selection of games for the blind and visually impaired for you to explore. Master has an assortment of magnification devices and his tactile marking kit for your delight and discovery.

Please feel free to use the rest of the time to ask master any questions you might have or to get up and play with the aids displayed on the table. We will leave the items available until the end of the day for your exploration purposes. Thank you!

Master Bill Driggers, Rehabilitation Teacher
can be reached by email at bdrigger@rehab.state.al.us
or by phone
1-800-671-6837