Useful Advice

Most people have created their home many years before they experience sight impairment. The fittings and décor that were right then may bring extra problems today.

Consider the lighting

Is it suitable for your special needs? A well lit, glare free environment is usually beneficial. Daylight is ideal. Try sitting with your back to the window. Keep your windows clean and curtains drawn back. However, if the sunlight is too strong, roller or vertical blinds, or net curtains will help diffuse the glare.

To increase the light, redecorate the walls and ceilings in a light colour. Avoid shiny surfaces which create dazzle and glare. Lighting levels can often be improved by changing the light fittings. Choose a style that distributes the light evenly around the room. Avoid fittings where the naked light bulb is visible or where the shades throw shadows and patterns.

Consider safety

Are the stairs well lit with consistent levels of light? Would additional rails give extra confidence? Are floor coverings in good repair and the mats non slip? Are half open doors a hazard? Can glass doors be seen? Would a contrasting coloured light switch, door or door frame be more visible? Colours that contrast with one another can be put to good use throughout the home.

If you are advising another person to make changes, do discuss your ideas with them first. People's needs and wishes vary and no two people see exactly alike. Remember "there is a place for everything and everything in it's place" is the golden rule.

Consider food preparation

When preparing and serving food, try colour contrasting the utensils and crockery with the work surfaces and ingredients. This can be done inexpensively by using coloured containers or standing items on a differently coloured non slip mat or tray. White ingredients are easier to see against a dark bowl. Milk contrasts well against a black non-stick saucepan. Serve white fish and mashed potatoes on a dark plate and see the difference. Vegetable choppers, safety scissors, onion holders and cut & pour boards are popular kitchen tools that can be purchased locally.

Consider setting the cooker controls

If you have difficulty ask a person with good sight to apply 'Hi Marks','Bumpons' or some other tactile mark. The cooker can then be set by touch. The KAB stocks these items.

Consider pouring

When pouring a drink, a liquid level indicator may prevent over-filling. This small gadget has prongs which are hooked over the side of the cup. When the liquid touches the prongs the gadget buzzes or vibrates, warning you to stop pouring.

Consider reading and close work

Make sure that your spectacles are clean. Sit in a good light, either near the window or by a reading lamp. Position yourself so that the best possible light is on the page.

Desk lamps are a good source of extra light. Some adjustable lamps are fitted with fluorescent tubes. These stay much cooler than a light from a filament bulb. The head can be angled so that the light shines directly onto the work and not into the eyes. Various fluorescent lamps are available from KAB.

Consider making things larger

Large print books, knitting patterns or the large print newspaper might be easier for you.

Sometimes when spectacles are not powerful enough a magnifier (low vision aid) is prescribed through the hospital eye service or the KAB low vision service. Magnifiers can be held by hand, supported by a stand, or mounted onto spectacles. It is usually beneficial to have a range of magnifiers for different tasks.

A scanner or closed circuit television (CCTV) gives even greater magnification. You can try magnifiers and scanners at our centres by appointment. Computers with large displays or a speech output are increasingly popular. If you need specialist equipment for work contact your local job centre or Access to Work at Job Centre Plus tel: 01273 364750.

Consider reading by touch

If reading print is too difficult, consider learning Braille or Moon.

Braille is very versatile and consists of small dots embossed on paper. Braillists read by identifying the different positions of the dots.

Moon is less well known but sometimes preferred as the embossed symbols are similar to letters of the alphabet.

Braille and Moon have many uses, and are ideal for labelling, contact your local KAB rehabilitation team for advice.

Consider writing

Try writing with a bold black pen on white paper. A writing frame may be helpful to guide the pen in a straight line. There are line guides for pension books, envelopes and signatures too. Cheque book templates and large print statements are available from banks.

Consider making a telephone call

KAB stocks large button telephones. A memory facility that stores numbers for easy use is helpful. So too are 24 hour telephone alarm systems for people who are at risk or living alone. The user can call for help by pressing a button. At other times the phone can be used normally. Contact your local KAB office for details.

For people registered blind, considered to be at risk and of limited means, financial assistance might be available. You can get in contact with (TFTB) Telephones for the Blind, 7 Huntersfield Close, Reigate, Surrey RH2 0DX. Telephone 01737 248032.

People with sight impairment are entitled to free directory enquiries. To register for this service phone 0800 919195. A braille or large print telephone bill can be arranged by ringing 0800 400 454.