Making Summer Accessible and Fun With Vision Loss

Longer days, warmer weather, and fresh air, summer is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy everything the season has to offer. Whether it’s planting flowers, firing up the grill, or browsing your favorite farmer’s market, these everyday activities can be both fun and accessible for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. With a few helpful tips and tricks, summer becomes more enjoyable. If you’re looking to explore new hobbies or simply want to make your favorite warm weather routines a little easier, this guide is for you.

 

Making Outdoor Maintenance More Manageable

Yard care isn’t just about curb appeal. It’s about pride, independence, and getting outside to enjoy the sunshine. With the right setup and tools, activities like gardening and lawn mowing can be manageable.

For gardening, raised garden beds are a great option. They make it easier to reach your plants without having to crouch or kneel. To help with orientation, you can line the edges with tactile markers, such as rope, textured tape, or wooden borders. You can use different shapes, materials, or textures to identify your herbs, veggies, or flowers. Tools like soil moisture sensors provide helpful audio feedback, and ergonomic gloves allow you to feel what you’re working on, preventing injury from gardening tools. While apps like Seeing AI can assist with identifying seed packets by reading labels aloud.

Mowing the lawn might seem challenging, but with a few simple adjustments, it becomes entirely manageable. Try using a self-propelled lawn mower with tactile or labeled controls. Many people who are blind or visually impaired also find success using guiding techniques like laying down rope or stakes to mow in straight lines. Your neighbor might not like it, but some individuals with low vision also allow their grass to grow a little longer. For those looking for a low-maintenance option, robotic lawn mowers are a great investment, especially if you currently rely on outside help. While they can be costly upfront, they offer long-term convenience.

 

Grill Master Tips for Stress-Free BBQs

Grilling is a summer staple, and while an open flame can be intimidating, techniques exist to ensure your safety when you’re firing up the grill. Start by using grill models with tactile buttons or knobs. If your grill isn’t already equipped with these, try adding bump dots to mark key settings, such as “on/off” or specific temperature zones. The same concept applies to labeling condiments and seasonings.

When it comes to checking food, a talking meat thermometer can take out the guesswork and help you grill to perfection. For added safety, wear heat-resistant gloves and use long-handled tongs to keep a comfortable distance from the flames. Grill baskets are also a helpful addition, keeping food organized and easier to manage on the grill surface.

 

Planning for Outdoor Adventures

From concerts and farmers markets to park picnics and community events, summer is full of opportunities to explore. With a little planning and the right resources, transportation and navigation don’t have to be barriers.

If you don’t drive, there are still several ways to get where you want to go:

Once you arrive, adaptive tech can help you confidently navigate outdoor spaces. Try these tools:

You can also call ahead to events or venues to inquire about accessibility accommodations, such as guided tours or ADA seating. Planning your route and having your go-to tools ready can make any summer outing smoother and more enjoyable.

 

Photo of a group of individuals at a peer support group meeting. Text: "Be Supported on Your Journey."

 

Summer should be filled with freedom, joy, and connection, and vision loss doesn’t have to limit your experience. From gardening and grilling to navigating your favorite community events, there are more ways than ever to enjoy the season safely and independently.

Do you have a favorite summer tip or tool that we didn’t mention? We’d love to hear about it! Connect with us to share.

Over a Decade of Dedication at Outlook With Kenny, Drew, & James

In this episode of Outlook On-Air, we’re joined by Kenny Blackman, Drew Zander, and James Harvey, three longtime associates who have each been part of the Outlook Nebraska team for over a decade. They share their personal and professional growth journeys, the sense of community they’ve found here, and how working at Outlook has helped them regain independence in their daily lives.

Meet Mo Crawford: Outlook Nebraska’s 2025 Peter J. Salmon Associate of the Year

Outlook recognizes several associates yearly for embodying our organization’s core values and culture. This year, it was a win for all of us to hear that Mortel “Mo” Crawford is our 2025 Peter J. Salmon Associate of the Year. Mo’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and finding joy in every chapter of life. From overcoming life-altering challenges to building a career and a life full of passion and purpose, Mo inspires everyone he meets. We’re proud to share his story, a powerful reminder of how your mindset can change your life.

 

Facing the Unthinkable & Finding a New Way Forward

In 2019, Mortel began working at Mama’s Kitchen after earning his degree in culinary arts. However, small businesses, particularly restaurants, faced significant challenges during that time, and Mo found himself seeking a new career opportunity. That’s when he joined Outlook Nebraska as a temporary associate on our manufacturing floor to help meet the rising demand for toilet paper due to the pandemic. Mo was an essential part of our team during that busy year, and we quickly recognized that he was someone we wanted to keep on board. Finding a hard worker is important, but discovering someone who can brighten a room and improve the atmosphere just by being himself is rare.

Mo’s journey with vision loss began when he was 24 years old. After a long day laying sod at work, he often enjoyed a typical evening hanging out with friends and playing dominoes. On one of those evenings, he decided to run to the liquor store. As he exited the store, gunshots rang out, believed to have come from a green car, but Mo couldn’t see where they originated. Tragically, what he witnessed in the parking lot that night would be the last thing he ever saw.

Mo woke up about a month later in a rehabilitation center, unable to walk, talk, or see. Although losing any of these abilities was devastating, the most excruciating part for him was the shock therapy treatment used to help him regain his voice. He endured several months of rehabilitation, undergoing a series of electric shocks, each session feeling like a trip to hell. Eventually, he could whisper, and with time, he regained his ability to talk. Unfortunately, regaining his eyesight wasn’t an option.

 

Mo’s Journey to Independence & Culinary Success

“I sat around the house for at least a year, angry at the world, wondering why this had to happen to me.”

Mo had gone from being fully sighted to completely blind without any preparation, forcing him to start fresh. While attending monthly counseling sessions with his counselor from the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired was a good start, going to their training center in Lincoln would be a more beneficial option. Although he was just becoming comfortable in his own home, the thought of being “dropped” at an unfamiliar location in Lincoln for cane travel training was daunting. The push to face uncomfortable situations made Mo realize he had the strength to make a comeback.

Before he knew it, he made trips to the local grocery store and hailed cabs back to the training center faster than any of his peers. With a mix of sounds, smells, and ingredients he gathered from the store, Mo began serving up crowd-pleasing meals. People lined up when he announced his special of the day over the intercom, and his food quickly disappeared.

After completing his training in Lincoln, Mo started taking culinary classes. He laughed as he recalled how Metropolitan Community College had likely never worked with a blind culinary student before his arrival. His vision loss made everyone nervous, as the college feared it might be dangerous. It took a combination of Mo learning the ropes and his instructors adapting their teaching methods to help him complete his degree. It was a new challenge for everyone involved.

During that semester, students were challenged to create an omelet while wearing sleep shades. Mo confidently claimed he was the top chef in that competition, producing a better omelet than the head chef. To this day, breakfast remains his favorite meal to cook. The combination of eggs, bacon, sausage, and hash browns is always mouth-watering.

 

Finding Joy in All Life Has to Offer

Before losing his eyesight, he hadn’t experienced the pride of creating something with his own two hands. He learned that careful preparation and precise measurements were essential for producing sturdy and stable objects. Mo hopes to one day have his garage filled with tools to handcraft furniture and other creations. There is no doubt that whatever he sets out to achieve, he will succeed.

We have observed him applying the same logic at Outlook during recreational and sporting events. If the initial technique is correct, it leads to success in adaptive sports such as axe throwing, bowling, beep baseball, paddleboarding, CrossFit, and even mechanical bull riding. These activities are Mo’s favorite part of working at Outlook. On weekends, you might find him tandem bike riding, taking a cemetery tour on Ollie the Trolley, or floating down the river on an innertube. Mo enjoys participating in Outlook’s Christmas parties, town hall meetings, and annual company retreats. It is truly a pleasure to have him at any event.

After facing and overcoming various challenges, Mo has much to be proud of. He has learned to be comfortable in public, navigate the city, earn a degree, and thrive in a new job, regardless of the position. Talking about his family brings him the greatest joy. Over the past year, he has reconnected with his son’s mother, gotten engaged, become the primary income earner, and provided a home and car for his fiancée and 15-year-old son. Three months before he was shot and lost his vision, Mo had the opportunity to see his newborn son, Mortel “MJ” Junior, for the first time. Mo’s fiancé and son have their own health challenges, but with him in their lives, they have a great example of how to keep their heads up and push forward. Congratulations Mo!

“Make sure you tell them MJ is taller than me now. He was just a premie when he was born. I could hold his whole body in my hand. Now he’s strong and bigger than me.”

 

Graphic with Outlook associate placing toilet paper into a box. Text: "Culture That Empowers, Work That Inspires. Join us in shaping brighter futures. Submit Interest Form."

 

Whether taking on a new hobby, building a life with his family, or simply brightening a coworker’s day with humor, Mo reminds us that life’s greatest moments are often found in how we respond to adversity. We are grateful to have Mo as part of the Outlook family. His impact reaches far beyond his daily work; it lives in the spirit of every associate, volunteer, and program participant he encounters. Congratulations again, Mo, on being named our 2025 Peter J. Salmon Associate of the Year.

To learn more about Outlook Nebraska and how you can be part of our mission, please fill out our contact form.

Planning for the Future: Retirement Readiness with Feltz WealthPLAN

In this episode of Outlook On-Air, Wade and Christine Behlen of Feltz WealthPLAN join us to share how they help organizations like Outlook support their associates in planning for a successful retirement through tools like 401(k) plans. The Behlens, longtime friends of Outlook, are active participants in our Tee It Up Fore Sight Golf Tournament and Vision Beyond Sight Gala. We’re grateful for their continued support, both professionally and personally.

Wade also shares his personal connection to Outlook, reflecting on the meaningful insights he’s gained about blindness and visual impairment etiquette through his interactions with our associates.

Vision Loss Support That Empowers: Outlook Enrichment’s Approach to Living Fully

Did you know that 12.5 million Americans over age 40 experience vision loss? By 2050, the number of Americans who are blind or have vision loss is expected to increase by 118% (VisionService Alliance, 2022). But behind every statistic is a person on their own unique path, facing new challenges and celebrating small wins as they adjust to living with vision loss. At Outlook Enrichment, we’re here to make that journey feel less intimidating.

 

Group at a table for an in person support group session. Text: "Be Supported on Your Journey. Join us for our weekly virtual peer support group sessions." Contact Us link.

 

Personalized Support for Every Stage of Vision Loss

At Outlook Enrichment, we aspire to assist our neighbors who are blind or dealing with vision loss in living independently, engaging confidently in their communities, and continuing to pursue their passions. “When people lose their vision, they think ‘I can’t,’” Program Facilitator Ross Pollpeter says. “You can, soon. Maybe you feel this way now, but let us show you how you can do things differently.”

We support people at every stage of their journey, whether newly diagnosed or have lived with vision loss for years. We understand that no two journeys with vision loss are the same. Every client we serve has unique goals and needs, which is why our training is always personalized. We meet clients where they are and stand by them every step of the way.

 

Community Connections Through Events and Experiences

In addition to training and support, we offer meaningful opportunities for social connection. “We are all about getting people connected,” says Isaac Grelk, Adaptive Technology Trainer. “We meet people where they are. Blind people are capable of all things. Our goal is to guide them through it.” We help people build the skills they need while connecting them to a supportive community. Our inclusive community events encourage clients to step out and try new things. Some of our most popular events are our tandem bike club, bowling bash, and holiday lights tour.

We also provide health-focused education, including adaptive CrossFit classes and accessible meal preparation, focusing on simple, nutritious meals. “We bring in high protein food that does not require clients to dice a lot of ingredients,” shared Grelk, who recently graduated with an exercise science degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. “We encourage them to eat healthy, and it tastes good.”

 

How Adaptive Technology Can Transform Daily Life

For many, adaptive technology is the bridge to independence. Whether it’s staying connected with loved ones, maintaining a career, or managing daily tasks, the right tools can make a world of difference. Our tech trainers, who are also blind or visually impaired, bring lived experience to every session, helping clients build confidence in using assistive tools and devices. It also goes a long way in building trust from the start. “We try to set people up to have a positive experience in training,” Pollpeter said. “It helps to have that connection and develop that network.”

Some of the tools we introduce to clients are:

 

Fostering a Welcoming, Inclusive Environment

Vision loss can be isolating, especially for seniors or individuals managing additional health conditions. We do everything possible to foster an environment where people feel seen, supported, and included. Our peer support groups, offered virtually and in person, give clients a safe space to share experiences, learn from each other, and build relationships.

We also understand that many of our clients live with secondary disabilities such as diabetes, stroke, hypertension, heart disease, or hearing impairment. “We have a lot of clients with secondary disabilities,” says Pollpeter. “If a client needs adjustments, we’ll work to accommodate them. Our goal is to make them feel inclusive and empowered to live their best life.”

 

Enrichment Adaptive Tech Trainer, Dennis, working with Outlook Nebraska associate on utilizing adaptive tech skills on a laptop. "Enhance your independence by mastering accessibility tools like screen readers. Contact Us."

 

At Outlook Enrichment, we believe that vision loss doesn’t mean giving up on the life you want. It just means adapting and finding a new path forward. Everyday, we witness people rediscover their independence, passions, and confidence. Whether learning to use a new piece of tech, making a healthy meal, or joining a recreational outing, our clients and associates show what’s possible when you have the proper support.

Ready to take the next step or want to learn more? Complete our contact form or call 531-365-5051.

 

References

VisionServe Alliance (2022). Nebraska’s Older Population and Vision Loss: A Briefing, St. Louis.

Building Community With BisonHeartGroup

Founder Callie Getzschman of BisonHeartGroup joined us on Outlook On-Air for our March episode! We love connecting with others who are passionate about supporting small businesses and nonprofits. Callie specializes in brand image, strategic planning, and community engagement. Learn how she’s helping businesses, including Outlook, grow and thrive!