Aids and Adaptations for Independence
People with severe visual impairments, such as vision less than 20/200 with correction, can still enjoy an independent and quality life thanks to various aids and organizational adaptations.
Organizations for Support
Several organizations offer training and support to help visually impaired individuals function independently:
- Netherlands: Royal Visio (www.visio.org) and Bartiméus (www.bartimeus.nl)
- Belgium: Blind Care Light and Love (www.blindenzorglichtenliefde.be) and the Braille League (www.brailleliga.be)
These organizations offer customized training and counseling, which is essential for achieving independence.
Use of Low Vision Aids
The type of aid needed depends on the type of visual impairment:
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Central Loss: Problems reading and recognizing faces in the room. Special reading glasses, magnifying glasses and electronic reading aids can help.
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No Light Perception or Complete Blindness: For those without light perception, voice-activated devices and Braille displays are invaluable.
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Loss of Peripheral Vision: Aids such as telescopic glasses for distance vision and magnifiers for magnifying objects.
Optimizing Lighting
It is crucial to improve home lighting for the visually impaired. High-contrast LED lamps are safer than incandescent and halogen lamps because of their lower heat production. Flexible lamps with goosenecks focus light directly on reading material or work areas, increasing comfort.
House and Organization
A well-organized home reduces stress and promotes independence:
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Labeling: Using Braille or speech labels to identify items. Always keeping items in the same place helps with navigating the home.
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Safety: Remove loose wires, use non-slip mats in the bathroom and make sure appliances are properly marked to avoid accidents.
Clothing and Kitchen
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Clothing: Group and mark clothing by color or texture to make selection easier.
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Cooking: Custom cookbooks, highlighted controls and high-contrast kitchen tools make cooking and eating safer and more accessible.
Medicine Management
Use of pill boxes with Braille or marked labels helps manage medication safely.
Mobility and Social Participation
Learning to use a white cane and other mobility aids increases independence and enables participation in social activities.
These adaptations and assistive devices allow visually impaired individuals to live active and independent lives, fully participating in daily activities and social interactions.
