Tag: blindness
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Can I Get A Ride?
Most adults in the U.S. take the ability to drive for granted. But what if, because of your vision loss, driving isn’t an option? Arguably, one of the most difficult aspects of being blind is finding transportation. While some areas on the east coast have excellent public transit systems that can make a car unnecessary,…
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Universal Design: Inclusion From the Ground Up
Have you ever listened to an audiobook? Dictated a note into your smartphone? Ridden an elevator because your luggage was just too awkward for the escalator? If so, you’ve been the beneficiary of “universal design”. Also known as design for all, inclusive design and barrier free design, this means that a product, service or technology…
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A Guide Dog’s Journey
As you walk along a sidewalk in downtown Missoula, you notice a pedestrian coming towards you. Their head is up, and they move confidently along the congested sidewalk. They grasp a U-shaped handle in their left hand which is attached to the harness of their guide dog. As you watch, the dog deftly maneuvers the…
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Vision Loss Is Not the Problem
A profile of Coreen Faulkner People living with vision loss are too often invisible to the broader society. We are capable and competent and have much to offer when given a chance. My name is Coreen Faulkner. I’ve lived in Missoula for 45 years. I spent 24 years teaching in elementary schools here in Missoula,…
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The Myth of Independence
There is more to independence for the blind than being able to carry out everyday tasks unaided. Imagine waking up one day and not being able to see. Suddenly, you couldn’t read, drive, or find something in the fridge. But as terrifying as your new reality is, the loss of agency over your own life…
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No, I’m Not Exceptional
My name is Samantha. I am a typical 35 year old woman. My life is hectic and chaotic most of the time. My days are spent juggling work, graduate school, being a mom of two school aged children, and a wife. This all seems pretty typical. I know so many other moms in the same…
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Are We There Yet?
Missoulian George Kerscher talks about his role in the development of Reading published materials using text to speech technology for those with print disabilities and obstacles to full inclusion that remain unresolved. One of the most important technologies for blind and low vision persons is text to speech (TTS). Being able to hear the contents…
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Assistive Technology
Technology such as screen readers and smart devices can dramatically improve the ability of those with sight loss to navigate their world. In our last article, we provided some insight into how somebody who is visually impaired navigates the world with their disability. Here, we will take a look at some of the ways technology…
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Daily Life With Vision Loss
Living with vision loss can be challenging, but you can still do most things you want to do. You just need to do them differently. We live in a visual world. But suppose a routine visit to the eye doctor revealed a progressive, incurable condition that would leave you legally blind. You will still have…
National Federation of the Blind of Missoula, Montana 