Managing the Challenges of Working from Home with Visual Impairment

There is an adage that says happiness starts at home. This is now more complicated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people, including those with a vision impairment, are sheltering in place and working from home.

Maintaining a happy home life can be challenging when living and working in the home. Keeping that traditional home-work-life balance might seem impossible. However, those challenges can decrease with careful planning, good communication, and flexibility.

The first work-from-home challenge is developing a functional workspace or home office. Begin by evaluating the space needed and cleaning out the clutter. You might have to work in the bedroom or set up a laptop in the dining or living room area. These spaces might not be ideal for working on a computer or taking phone calls. If this is your situation, establish a routine and boundaries for space. When the work day is over, put away your work materials. This will indicate that the work day is done and that there is a transition to home life.

This transition is critical when working from home. Home and work life can bleed into each other if boundaries are not set up quickly. Next, communicate with your household. If you live with family, clearly communicate the structure of your work day. Let them know important deadlines and when you have to take calls and attend webinars or Zoom meetings. Do the same with your supervisor and co-workers so they know the setup at your home. For yourself, set a timer or alarm to keep track of the work day. This will help you take breaks for lunch and stop at the end of the work day to shift to home life. Setting timers can also help you stay focused on your work.

Another work-from-home challenge is accessing assistive technology and tech support. Accommodations like a screen reader or low vision aids might not be as available as at your office. An on-site IT department can efficiently resolve technology problems, but this might not be as simple at home. Communicate with your employer your needs for accommodation at home. Share what assistive technology you will need to set up your home workspace and if you can access any tech support. Companies such as Freedom Scientific offer limited-time free access to software for people who are visually impaired and working from home. Other companies such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft offer tech support to people with vision impairments and can troubleshoot some basic computer problems.

Outlook Enrichment has also set up a technology helpline for the visually impaired to ask questions while navigating this virtual environment. Call (531) 365-5334 to connect with one of our adaptive technology trainers.

Resisting the temptations of home life is hard when you work from home. Watching TV, indulging in too much of your favorite snack, strolling through social media, or oversleeping are all enticing when you are constantly at home. If overeating is a temptation, set your office away from the kitchen. Keep sweet and fatty snacks out of reach and healthier ones close by. Establish dedicated time slots or use your work breaks if you are watching TV or scrolling through social media.  

Take breaks when working from home. Becoming sedentary and sitting in your work area all day is easy. Take your routine breaks and stop for lunch. Do some stretches and light calisthenics to avoid stiffness and maintain good circulation.

Sharing space with family can make working from home hard. Keeping children entertained or coordinating with a spouse working from home must be worked out. Maintain a schedule and select kid-friendly activities that don’t require supervision. Keep the lines of communication open with your spouse. Talk to your supervisor and colleagues so they understand your home environment. Be as thoughtful as you can and emphasize flexibility and patience. If you live alone, schedule dedicated time for connection with friends and family to avoid isolation, depression, and loneliness.

Noise can be distracting when working from home. Barking dogs, ringing doorbells and phones, and blaring TVs can impact focus and concentration. Consider wearing noise-canceling headphones, closing the door to the room you are working in, or creating a pillow fort to diminish sound.

Working from home has challenges and responsibilities. Employers trust you to be productive. Be mindful and educate yourself about working from home. It may take some trial and error, but developing good habits will make you successful.

Navigating Accessible Online Learning for Parents

Students across Nebraska are adjusting to at-home learning. Likewise, families are attempting to assist their kids with lessons provided by schools. Accessibility issues challenge blind parents and students as they navigate this new normal. 

Districts distribute packets of print material so that students can maintain the curriculum and advance to the next grade level for the 20-21 school year. 

Technology offers a variety of accessibility options these days, from OCR, like Seeing AI, to services, such as AIRA, that provide sighted agents with access to visual mediums via smart devices. Nonetheless, this is not direct access to the material.

Districts often simultaneously post the print material via websites, but it’s not always accessible. Scholastic, ABC Mouse, and PBS Kids also offer e-learning opportunities, but accessing these sites with a screen reader like JAWS or MVDA is not always an option.

The Department of Education insists that IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act should be upheld as schools shift to remote learning. Still, sometimes, despite best efforts, accessibility remains a struggle.

Visually impaired children and their parents/guardians need direct access to lessons and tools so that educational endeavors can continue. Here are some resources that make online learning accessible.

Virtual Expanded Core Education Learning (EXCEL)Academy for Students with Visual Impairments

Virtual Expanded Core Education Learning (EXCEL) Academy for Students with Visual Impairments offers free daily lessons for blind and visually impaired students. Qualified teachers of visually impaired students across the United States will present a range of lessons.

VISTAS Education Partners Inc. 

VISTAS Education Partners Inc. Teachers of the visually impaired and advocates for the blind set up a national hotline for blind and visually impaired students to provide Q and A for K through 12th grades.

Breezy Special Ed

Breezy Special Ed supplies distance learning material for disabled students.

Accessibyte Online

Accessibyte Online allows disabled students free access to its entire app platform.

Working Together to Support Students with Visual Impairments to Access Curriculum

The American Foundation for the Blind created a group of volunteers to assist students and families with distance learning. So far, 48 volunteers are available to provide educational support.

The National Federation of the Blind now offers Interactive Lessons for Blind Children and their Families on Thursday mornings via Zoom.

AIRA

AIRA now permits free access to its platform for all visually impaired college students.

Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults

The Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults made their online classes free of charge through May 31.

Reading resources for visually impaired children

Many reading resources are available for blind and visually impaired children. Two popular digital libraries — Bookshare and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, also known as NLS — provide books in electronic braille and audio formats for visually impaired and print-disabled users. Bookshare is a subscription service, while NLS requires proof of disability before granting access to its books.

 Audible currently offers free downloads for children. Check out our accessible reading apps blog for additional reading resources.

As we all stay safe at home, we must do our best to keep up with educational goals. We hope these resources are making online learning accessible. Contact Outlook Enrichment if you have additional questions about distance learning resources.

Helpful Resources During a Pandemic

If you are looking for resources for visually impaired adults, we can help.

As we all socially distanced ourselves, most people order groceries online, connect with friends virtually, and adjust to the new normal. 

If you are visually impaired and looking for resources, Outlook Enrichment is here to help during this time of uncertainty.

Outlook Enrichment and Vision Resource Coalition Partners

Outlook Enrichment and our Vision Resource Coalition partners collaborated to set up a COVID-19 helpline that provides essential resources and information for visually impaired adults during this pandemic.

Banks, restaurants, and grocery stores offer drive-through and carry-out options to comply with social distancing guidelines. This presents challenges to blind and visually impaired members of our community who are looking for ways to access food, medicine, and other items.

 Call the helpline at 531.365.5059 for assistance from people who understand vision challenges and want to help.

You can also find many online resources, which we have provided below. 

Reach Out to the Community

If you or someone you know needs help locating food or other goods, always start your search locally. Reach out to friends, relatives, neighbors, pastors, or churches for assistance. A family member might share some toilet paper or a case of water. 

Maybe a group of neighbors plans to cook meals for folks on the block who can’t get to the store. To help out, offer to pay for grocery items or bring a dish to pass around. We must work together during these difficult times and do what we can for each other.

Omaha’s Lee Law Offices

Omaha’s Lee Law Office coordinates volunteer efforts to help the elderly and the homebound pick up groceries, medications, and meals. Call 402.934.4409 for assistance for yourself or a family member.

CVS

CVS offers pharmacy delivery. Find a store location and request RX fill on their website.

Hy-Vee

Hy-Vee Aisles offers grocery pickup and delivery online. You can select your store and pick out items on the website. Demands for certain items are high right now, and you may experience longer than normal wait times for your order to be filled. Grocery pickup and delivery are also available with Family Fare and Kroger.

Download an App

Apps like Instacart, Target, Walmart, and Amazon also provide delivery options for various items. Customers may place an order but might not receive it for several days. Plan ahead and be prepared to be patient.

DoorDash and GrubHub

DoorDash and GrubHub allow users to order from local restaurants and have their food delivered. Customers must spend a specific amount to qualify for free delivery. You may pay more depending on the location and when you place your order.

Call Restaurants

Some local restaurants will also deliver. Call your favorite restaurant or check their website for the latest hours or delivery options.

Chewy

What about our pets? They still have to eat and play. Luckily, the website Chewy.com has everything your pet needs. From food to toys, everything can be ordered online and delivered to your doorstep.

Remember to regularly check our resources for visually impaired adults list for updated information. Stay connected with friends and family for their benefit and yours. Outlook Enrichment is here to help ease the stress of people with vision loss.

February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness among Americans who are 60 and older. The Age-Related Macular Degeneration Foundation says it affects more than 20 million Americans, more than cataracts and glaucoma combined. February is AMD Awareness Month, which allows the public to learn more about this disease. Education and early detection are critical first steps to treating this progressive, incurable eye condition.

What is age-related macular degeneration?

AMD is an eye disease that can blur sharp, central vision. It slowly steals vision, affecting the retina, a paper-thin tissue lining the back of the eye, and causing the cells in the area to die.

As a result, you see blind spots, grayness, and other distortions in the center frame of your vision. It doesn’t cause complete blindness, but losing your central vision can make it harder to see faces, drive, or do close-up work like cooking.

 Even if you have early AMD, you may not experience vision loss for long. AMD progresses faster in others, leading to central vision loss in one or both eyes. 

There are two types of AMD–dry and wet.

Dry AMD, the most common form, affects about eight out of 10 people diagnosed. Dry AMD is a thin part of the macula that grows tiny clumps of protein called drusen. You slowly lose central vision, and it is not yet treatable. Wet AMD often causes rapid and severe vision loss. New, abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina. These vessels may leak blood or other fluids, causing scarring of the macula. People don’t realize they have it until vision is blurry, so routine visits with an ophthalmologist are essential. Early signs of AMD can be detected before problems arise.

What are the stages of AMD?

There are three stages of AMD. Most people do not experience vision loss in the early stages, which is diagnosed by the presence of medium-sized drusen. Some vision loss may be present in the intermediate stage, but there may not be noticeable symptoms. A comprehensive eye exam with specific tests will look for larger drusen and pigment changes in the retina. The last stage is when vision loss has become noticeable.

Who is at risk?

Your risk for AMD increases as you get older. People over the age of 60 are more likely to have AMD. The risk is higher for people who have a family history of AMD, are Caucasian, and smoke. You should get regular eye exams if you are at risk because of these factors. Early AMD has no symptoms, so don’t wait for your vision to change. 

How can you lower your risk?

Research shows that making these healthy choices may lower your risk of AMD or slow its progression. Quit smoking, or don’t start. Get regular physical activity, maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and eat nutritious foods, including leafy greens, vegetables, and fish.

What are the age-related symptoms of macular degeneration?

As AMD progresses, many people see a blurry area near the center of their vision. Over time, this blurry area may get bigger, or blank spots might appear. Things may also seem dimmer than before. Some people may notice that straight lines start to look wavy. This can be a warning sign for late AMD. If you notice these age-related macular degeneration symptoms, immediately see your eye doctor.

How can AMD be treated?

Early AMD cannot be treated, so your eye doctor will monitor your eyes with regular eye exams. If you are diagnosed with intermediate or late AMD, ask your eye doctor about treatment options and how the condition may affect your vision in the future. 

How does a person with AMD and vision loss live?

Living with vision loss from AMD can be challenging, but it is not impossible. Low vision means that even with glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery, your vision loss makes it hard to do everyday tasks. 

The good news is some things can improve the quality of life. Low vision devices such as hand-held magnifiers and using adaptive technology from rehabilitation training at Outlook can support independence. For assistance, contact us today.

Schedule Your Eye Exam During Low Vision Awareness Month

Vision changes without warning, even in a healthy eye. The vision community observes Low Vision Awareness Month in February, and we want to take this opportunity to remind everyone about the importance of routine eye exams from a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist.

According to the National Eye Institute, glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery cannot fix low vision. Low vision mainly affects people 65 and older but can affect anyone. Learning about low vision awareness is important because it cannot be reversed but managed.

Low vision occurs more readily as the eye ages. Many common eye conditions cause it, including:

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) affects the retina, the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye, where images are focused. The macula, the area on the retina responsible for sharp central vision, deteriorates, causing blurred vision. This can cause difficulty reading and, for some, a blurry or blind spot in the central area of vision. In the non-exudative “dry” form of AMD–the most common form–vision loss usually progresses slowly. The exudative “wet” form causes rapid and severe vision loss. Abnormal blood vessels develop under the macula and leak fluid and blood. Both exudative and non-exudative forms of macular degeneration are age-related. They are the leading cause of blindness for people over 50.

Cataracts

A cataract is a cloudy or opaque area in a clear eye lens. A cataract’s size and location determine the effect on vision. Most cataracts develop in people over 55 but occasionally occur in infants and young children. The lens is inside the eye behind the iris, the colored part of the eye. Normally, the lens focuses light on the retina, which sends the image through the optic nerve to the brain. However, if a cataract clouds the lens, light is scattered, so the lens can no longer focus properly, causing vision problems. Surgery can remove cataracts and restore vision in a healthy eye, but people with other eye conditions will still have impaired vision.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetics can experience daily changes in their vision and visual functioning because of the disease. Diabetes can cause blood vessels that nourish the retina to develop tiny, abnormal branches that leak. This interferes with vision and may severely damage the retina. Laser procedures and surgical treatments can reduce its progression, but regulating blood sugar is the most important step in treating diabetic retinopathy.

A person with low vision will experience sight loss in many ways. Glare impairs vision for someone with diabetic retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa often causes night blindness. Partial sight can also present as blurred vision or hazy vision, which appears as a film or glare across the field of vision.

Pay attention to your loved ones. If you notice a family member or friend cannot see clearly in bright areas, has difficulty identifying colors of objects, or struggles to read regular print, help them find an eye doctor as soon as possible. The Vision Council, a global resource for vision care products and services, states that up to 80 percent of cases dealing with visual impairment are considered preventable. An eye care provider can diagnose and treat many eye conditions early in the disease progression through annual comprehensive eye exams. In many cases, timely care can delay or prevent vision loss.

A vision condition diagnosis often requires regular visits with your ophthalmologist or optometrist. This specialist will set up a rehabilitation plan to maximize remaining eyesight when all measures medically and surgically are reached. The Weigel Williamson Center for Visual Rehabilitation helps people experiencing vision loss use their remaining vision.

Magnifiers, smartphones, and other technology with a vision condition continue doing the things they love. Find out more through our adaptive technology training program.

Take care of your eyes, proactively help a loved one find resources to manage a vision condition when needed, and learn the importance of low vision awareness.

Understanding the Silent Threat of Glaucoma

Today, glaucoma affects more than 3 million people in the U.S. The National Eye Institute projects this number will reach 4.2 million by 2030, a 58 percent increase. Glaucoma is called the sneaky thief of sight because it has no symptoms and progresses slowly. By the time a person learns about their glaucoma diagnosis, 40 percent of their vision is permanently lost. January has been designated Glaucoma Awareness Month to educate the general public, people who are at high risk, and medical professionals about this sneaky eye disease.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma occurs when the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises, leading to vision impairment or blindness. The anterior chamber is a clear fluid that flows in and out of small spaces at the front of the eye. This fluid bathes and nourishes nearby tissues. If this fluid drains too slowly, pressure builds up and damages the optic nerve.

Who is at risk?

People who are over age 60, have internal eye pressure above normal and have hyperopia (farsightedness) tend to be at higher risk. Additionally, people of African or Caribbean descent, Latinos, and Asians have an increased chance of developing glaucoma and of developing it sooner in life. Family history also plays a critical role in developing glaucoma, such as having a sibling or parent with the disease. Other risk factors include eye injuries, such as blunt trauma and sports injuries, or a history of multiple eye surgeries for chronic eye conditions.

What are the types of glaucoma?

Several types exist, but open-angle glaucoma is the most common type in the U.S. Nine out of 10 people are diagnosed with this type. Other types are less common, like angle-closure glaucoma, neovascular glaucoma, and congenital glaucoma.

What are the signs?

At first, there are no symptoms; vision is normal, and there is no pain. Over time, peripheral vision gradually fails. That means objects in front can be seen but objects on the side cannot. As the disease progresses, the field of vision narrows, and blindness and vision impairment result.

What can be done?

Get an eye exam every year to fight glaucoma. Be sure that it is comprehensive and that your eyes are dilated. During the exam, the doctor performs an eye pressure check to see if you have glaucoma.

How can glaucoma be treated?

Glaucoma cannot be cured currently, but it can be treated and controlled with regular medication and/or surgery. Medication usually comes in the form of eye drops that reduce pressure by slowing the flow of fluid in the eye so that it does not build up. Sometimes, laser surgery is offered, where laser beams are focused on specific parts of the eye to reduce pressure and allow fluid to exit the eye.

How does glaucoma impact reading and life?

Since glaucoma impacts the field of view and it is like looking through fog glasses, the ability to read can be greatly affected. Over time, reading can become slower and more difficult or even stop altogether. This can impact quality of life and overall independence. Make reading easier by increasing your computer or smartphone text size, using spotlighting when reading print, and considering reading on a tablet or other device that enables reverse polarity (white letters on a black background instead of black letters on a white background). A person with a vision impairment from glaucoma can learn to modify other daily activities such as cooking, cleaning, using adaptive technology, and even using a white cane for travel. Contact us today for assistance with these suggestions and other ways to stay independent.