Live Accessible Changes Lives for the Blind
Live Accessible Changes Lives for the Blind
Whether you were born with a visual impairment or developed one throughout your life, it can be extremely difficult to find the resources and tools you need. Over the years, accessibility concerns have been growing and a lot is being done to help the blind and visually impaired community. But while new accessible internet designs and assistive technology are being developed and implemented, we are still forgetting one thing… Knowledge. Where individuals or families impacted by a visual impairment may now be able to use assistive tech or access the internet, how do they know what tools and options are best for them? Or how they can research and learn about these new developments? That is where Live Accessible hopes to fill in the gaps.
Who is Live Accessible?
Live Accessible is a platform created to provide visually impaired people with resources and information they need to learn about the many programs, communities, technologies and more that are available to them. Additionally, they have a very active Youtube Channel, loaded with helpful tips and advice for the blind community. It was founded by Carrie Morales, a young woman who has lived her entire life with a visual impairment. Carrie was born with Aniridia, an eye disorder where the iris (colored part of the eye) is either partially or completely missing. This condition causes a loss of visual acuity and sensitivity to light. In addition, as Carrie got older, she developed Cataracts (age 6) as well as Glaucoma (age 15). Inside every eye, there is a natural lens that captures light to help us see. Cataracts cause this lens to become clouded and diminishes the ability of the eye to pick up light. Glaucoma is caused from a build up of pressure in the eye most commonly from excess fluid. The increased pressure in the eye damages the optic nerve, diminishing the connection between your eye and brain. Carrie knows that life with a visual impairment/s can be difficult but it’s not just the disability that makes things hard. Growing up, one of the toughest difficulties she faced was the reaction from society. One of the effects of her visual impairments causes her eyes to move constantly. She does not always have a way to control it because her eyes are simply trying to focus on something they cannot. For her it was the reactions she would get from people in her every day life and the stereotypes that came with them. But she did not let this discourage her! With the help of her Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) and different organizations providing her and her parents with resources, she was able to figure out what was out there to help her. Without these, she never would have known about the assistive technology or programs that could help her and her family. Additionally, through these resources she found the visually impaired community. Just being with and talking to people who understood what she was going through helped her to finally not feel alone.Using Personal Experiences to Help Others
Despite these conditions and difficulties, Carrie has remained positive and now wants to use her own personal experiences to help others struggling with conditions/difficulties of their own. But she is not alone here! Her husband Pablo, who in his mid-twenties went completely blind, also brings his own unique experiences and perspective to Live Accessible. Pablo went from having perfect vision to being completely blind within a matter of hours due to a medical mistake. Additionally, they have a son, Pablo Joseph, who also has a visual disability. Together, they want to help those facing their own difficulties find the resources they need to fully equip themselves with the knowledge necessary to live a fully accessible life. Whether it be tech related, parenting advice for a child with visual impairments or parents with visual impairments, and much more! With a combination of constant resources and information provided on their site, along with the walk throughs, tips and tricks for the blind on their Youtube Channel; Live Accessible, wants to give people the knowledge they need to live a life without limits. At Live Accessible, they are clean and clear with their goals and purpose. “We don’t claim to know everything but, we have a lot of experiences and want you to take advantage of them.” Dedicated only to helping people educate themselves and not feel as if they are alone! To learn more about Live Accessible and see all they have to provide, you can check out their site or follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube! Next »« PreviousGuiding the Blind Community with the Lighthouse of Collier
Guiding the Blind Community with the Lighthouse of Collier
You wake up with the sun shining through your window. The bright glare is so much to bare that you draw the curtains before getting up to begin your day. Now picture this; you wake up and its as if your eyes are still shut or perhaps you cannot tell if the shades are drawn or if there even is a glare coming into the window at all. This is the reality for many who suffer from a visual impairment whether its complete blindness or partial. For these people, they may never know what the sun looks like or how bright stars shine at night. But outside of the world’s natural beauty, there is much more we use our sight for just to live independently. The folks at the Lighthouse of Collier County know the difficulties many face daily and are committed to doing their part in helping them live an empowering and independent life!
What is the Lighthouse of Collier County?
Founded in 2009 and celebrating their 10th anniversary this April, the Lighthouse of Collier County (LOC) is a blind and visually impaired professional care service center. They provide training and rehabilitation services for people of all ages, at no charge, to help those in the community who are blind or visually impaired. All their programs are tailored to each individual’s specific needs and sessions (both group and individual) are conducted year-round. Being the only rehabilitation center for blindness and vision loss in Collier County, LOC has made a commitment to their community. However, actions speak louder than words! So, what have they done thus far to prove this commitment? Well, to date they have offered and provided services to roughly 14,000 children and adults in the Collier County only! Additionally, their goal is not just to help people get through today but to give them their independence back and help them get themselves through every day to come! And if that doesn’t shout commitment and care, I don’t know what does! Their mission is to foster independence and enhance the quality of life for the blind, visually impaired and their caregivers. We had the opportunity to speak with LOC’s Executive Director Scott Flagel and asked him to elaborate on their mission. “It’s very straightforward and simple; we are here for the blind, visually impaired, and their caregivers and the whole mission is to enhance the quality of their life”. He went on to say, “It’s not clinical in nature. It’s really to make sure someone can live independently and to make their life more manageable”.Staff, Instructors and Accreditations
Committed to ensuring all rehabilitation training will be instructed by certified and qualified staff, LOC’s instructors all are required to meet or exceed the contract standards established by the Florida Division of Blind Services. Currently, they employ the following certified positions:- Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT’s)
- Certified Assistive Technology Instructors
- Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS)
- Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI)
- VIISA Certified
Services Provided
The programs and services provided continue to increase and expand based upon needs in the community. Additionally, they come with no financial burden what so ever; “We do not charge for services, so it does not matter where you live in collier county, if you need services you get them and there is no cost to you”, said Scott Flagel. Blindness can happen to anyone and it does not care whether you are rich or poor, so why should the services you can receive be any different! Please see below for the complete list of their services:- Independent Daily Living Skills
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Orientation and Mobility
- Assistive Technology
- Early Intervention/Babies (birth – 5yrs)
- Children’s Programs (5yrs to 14yrs)
- Transition Program (14yrs to 22yrs)
- Support Group for Individuals who are Blind/Visually Impaired
- Care Takers and Parent Support Group
- Braille Training Program
- Lecture Lunch (Brown Bag Lunch) Series
- Recreation and Social Activities
11 Facts You Should Know About LHON
11 Facts You Should Know About LHON
No one can prepare themselves for a life altering disability. The best you can try to do is gather an understanding of what is going on with your body. We’re glad to share this information and to help anyone going through the condition, with these 11 facts about Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy.
Onset effects Young Adults
When Dreamscape founder learned of his disability, he was only 16 years old. Often, we listen to similar stories of those effected by LHON. People usually develop LHON mid-late teens, and is described as loss of sharpness and a fading of color vision. The vision loss mainly affects central vision, which is needed for tasks such as reading, driving and recognizing faces. In a small percentage of cases, the central vision loss can improve; but in most cases loss of vision is permanent. It’s only after a year or so living with the disability, is when people fully adapt to their new surroundings. With the help of accessible technology, and charities like Dreamscape Foundation, you too can find the freedom you are looking for!LHON is Painless but Quick Acting
You can rest a bit easier to learn that LHON’s onset is a painless one. The experience on the other hand, can throw quite a curve ball. It only takes a few moments for the central vision loss to kick in, leaving only peripheral view. We often hear stories of rapid blindness, usually after rubbing ones eye. In some cases, one eye will start to be effected before the other. The other eye’s condition soon worsens, at an average of 8 weeks after the initial onset. LHON is still has a cloudy reputation, as most people have never heard of the hereditary disability. It’s a good reminder to know that most of the visually disabled are not 100% blind! This can be a common misunderstanding, due to outdated stereotypes of the blind.LHON is Transmitted by the Mother
LHON is passed down to children primarily due to mutations in the mitochondrial (rather than the male nuclear) genome, and only the egg contributes mitochondria to the embryo. Mitochondria constantly convert energy locked in our food into energy that the cell can use, and are small sub-units that reside within the cell. LHON follows a mitochondrial pattern of inheritance, also known as maternal inheritance. Only egg cells contribute mitochondria to a developing embryo, therefore only females can pass mitochondrial conditions to their children. Fathers affected by LHON or carrying LHON mutations do not pass the condition to their children.Discovery of Disability
This disease was first written and described by the German ophthalmologist Theodor Leber in 1871, only 31 years old at the time. In said paper, Leber described 4 families in which a number of young men suffered abrupt loss of vision in both eyes either simultaneously or sequentially. This disease was initially thought to be nuclear linked but was subsequently shown to be mitochondrial.Other Useful LHON Facts
- LHON affects both males and females, but more commonly found in men.
- The birth prevalence of LHON is approximately 1 in 50,000 people.
- More than 50% of men and more than 85% of women with a mitochondrial mutation will never experience vision loss.
- Without a known family history of LHON the diagnosis usually requires a neuro-ophthalmological evaluation and blood testing for mitochondrial DNA assessment.
- “LHON Plus” is a name given to a rare variant of the disorder with eye disease together with other conditions. (Many cases of LHON plus have been comparable to multiple sclerosis because of the lack of muscular control.)
- In 1988 Wallace et al. identified the nature of the first known causative mutation (50-70% of all LHON cases).
- The other two mutations known to cause LHON were identified in 1991 (8-25% of all LHON cases) and 1992 (10-15% of all LHON cases).
Perseverance Paves a Path
Perseverance Paves a Path
There are days when our disabilities feel debilitating. From physical to cognitive limitations, seemingly easy activities most people take for granted can feel like Mount Everest. Yet whether you were born with a disability or you develop one, it’s important to remember that your condition is not the end of life.
For motivation, we’ve brought a handful of stories to the table not only to inspire but to remind us that doors will open to those whose perseverance paves a path.
Henry Webler Chased His Love for Science in Spite of His Lack of Sight
If anyone knows the fight for accessibility, it’s Henry Webler. His heart had no room for limitations when it became enamored with science at a young age. While in high school his own teacher tried to dissuade him from pursuing a career in science due to his blindness, Webler refused to take no for an answer. He knew what he wanted and he was determined to do whatever necessary to make that dream come to fruition. Yet there were hurdles; many hurdles. In a world where accessibility isn’t universal to every environment and field, you have to speak up and find solutions for your limitations if you want to succeed. Webler realized this, but he wasn’t afraid to be innovative and vocal about his needs. Eventually, the same teacher he doubted became one of his biggest advocates as he carved a path that led to success. Now 30, Webler has a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of California and is the Founder of the nonprofit Accessible Science. The organization provides resources and tools to blind students so they can participate in the exploration and learning of science in spite of their limitations.Mandy Harvey Finds the Music Even After She Lost Her Hearing
When Mandy Harvey sings, her pitch is perfect. Her whole body seems to immerse itself in her music as she weaves a profound blend of melody and lyrics. A natural musician, you would never know while listening to her performance that she is deaf. Harvey wasn’t born deaf but rather lost her hearing at the pivotal age of eighteen, just as she was chasing her dreams through the vocal music education program at Colorado State University. It’s a tragedy that would stop many in their tracks. Understandably so, for how can you learn to create an art tied to the sense that was stolen from you by connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type 3? Harvey left school when her hearing obstructed her education and for two years fell into a deep depression. Yet her heart refused to give up. Harvey found a way to find the music inside of her again. She had to; it was a part of who she was. Using a visual tuner, she sang until the device turned green. Her father heard and wept, and Harvey realized her gift hadn’t left her. It was still there and she could embrace it. The epiphany began a new chapter that started in clubs and music halls until it led to the stage of America’s Got Talent. Through the challenges and loss, she rediscovered herself and the career she had yearned for nearly all her life.Finding Open Doors in Spite of Your Disability
For some, Webler and Harvey’s stories may feel unobtainable. We marvel at these individuals as anomalies, as if their achievements are exceptions to the rule. Yet the truth is that while we may have our limitations, there is power in perseverance. Webler and Harvey are both everyday people who simply refused to give up. As Dreamscape Foundation Founder Joe Sehwani said after he lost his vision, “I had only lost my sight – not my vision. In fact, LHON gave me a clarity I didn’t have before. It gave my life purpose.” We can either view our disability as a weakness or we can find new vision by carving a path for ourselves and our desires. While the challenges may not make it easy, the satisfaction of achieving your dream is worth it. Will you fight to make them accessible? Next »« PreviouseSight Eyewear Gives Sight Back to the Blind
eSight Eyewear Gives Sight Back to the Blind
The idea that a pair of glasses can restore vision to the blind sounds like something straight out of science fiction. Just the thought sparks images of Geordi La Forge, the blind lieutenant commander from Star Trek whose futuristic visor enabled him to see.
Yet, like many things born from imagination, this miraculous invention didn’t stay in the realm of fiction. Today it exists through a company called eSight, who brought to market an incredible piece of eyewear that literally gives sight to the blind.
Does it sound too impossible to fathom? Get ready. We’re about to peel back your skepticism and make you a believer. Dreamscape Foundation recently caught up with Gary Foster, eSight’s Coaching Program Manager and an avid user of eSight’s life-changing eyewear.
The Miracle of Sight Made Possible
Gary Foster isn’t just an employee hired to advocate eSight’s eyewear. His journey began as a customer, eager to take advantage of what eSight had to offer. “I lost my vision in my early 50’s to macular degeneration,” Foster explained. “There’s no cure. I was familiar with it because my mother had it, and I was my mother’s caregiver. When it started to happen to me, it happened very, very rapidly. Right now, my acuity is 20 over 400; 20 over 200 being legally blind, so I’m well past that.” Foster heard about eSight for the first time while he was at an event. At first, he was skeptical. He’d seen many doctors and tried many pieces of technology in order to improve his eyesight, but nothing up to that point had helped. He had no central vision and no hope at the time of ever redeeming it. But word that a demo for eSight was happening at the event he was attending, Foster was pressured into giving it a try. Reluctantly, he complied, yet he’s glad he did for the moment Foster glimpsed through eSight’s eyewear, his life changed. “I was really taken by surprised when I looked through [eSight’s eyewear],” Foster said. “I wasn’t prepared for the fact that there was nothing missing in my central vision. It was emotional but more than anything I just realized very quickly that this was going to open up a whole world of possibilities for me.” Within those few, short moments of seeing through eSight’s device, Foster knew he had to have one. “It was really fascinating for me,” he said. “I knew instantly that there was hope and I couldn’t wait to know more.” Within a year, Gary found the means to purchase eSight and the impact its had on his life has been truly remarkable. With eSight, Foster tests at 20/20 vision. Yet with the device’s 24 times zooming capabilities, you could say it’s even better. “Once I got my hands on eSight, everything started to change drastically,” Foster shared in a voice rich with enthusiasm. “As I became proficient with it, I found navigating was the easiest thing in the world to do. I was now able to go anywhere on my own. “It allowed me to do all the things I loved to do before.” Although he can’t drive or fly a plane due to legal limitations, eSight’s eyewear doesn’t hold foster back from much else. He is capable of going places on his own, being active, and engaging in the everyday tasks and hobbies he enjoyed prior to his macular degeneration. Mastering the eyewear’s technical functionality, he went from user to ambassador, spreading the word wherever he traveled to anyone who would listen. His efforts resulted in so many inquiries that eSight itself couldn’t help but take notice. “The company was saying, ‘Boy, this guy really gets around! And he’s willing to talk to anybody,’” Foster shared with a laugh. “And it’s true. They haven’t found my off-switch here yet.” He met the CEO, started attending events, and a few years later expressed his interest to work with eSight as part of their staff. He raised the question to the company’s owner and after a brief conversation, they hired both Foster and his wife to become part of the team. His job now enables him to help get the word out about eSight, teach people how to use the device, and meet with legislators, insurance companies and VA’s to help more people discover and get their hands on the gift of sight.The eSight Experience
eSight’s technology is the product of over a decade of research inspired by its creator’s desire to find a way to improve the lives of his two legally blind sisters. Now, through the collaborative research and effort of a hardcore team of “visioneers”, eSight’s eyewear is disrupting the market and bringing new opportunities for engagement to people with low vision. But how does it work? The device uses a high-speed, high-definition camera that projects what the user is looking at onto two screens, one displayed near each eye. In order to accommodate peripheral vision, this camera tilts both up and down. Operated by many algorithms and high tech software, eSight’s eyewear enables its users to see instantly, giving them the freedom to use their hands and be mobile without assistance. From walking to reading, watching TV, gaming, painting, and more, the visually impaired discover a new level of engagement with the world around them the moment they put on this unique device. However, technology isn’t the only thing eSight brings to the table. Their in-house team is wholly dedicated to helping customers adapt and get the most out of their eSight technology. “One of the best things about this company is the support,” Foster stressed. “They walk the walk and talk the talk. Nobody better to understand the emotional side of it, the practical side of it, and the future—the potential.” eSight’s team works with and learns from their users, spending as much time training and consulting as needed, at no additional cost to the user. What’s more, the coaches provided to customers are all eSight users, capable of not only navigating the device but also understanding the complex level of emotions and questions that come with the new experience. Plus, every device receives free software updates for as long as you own it. That means as new capabilities are interwoven into eSight’s software, you’ll continue to benefit from them even if you bought your device prior to its development.Making Accessibility More Accessible
Could eSight be a transformative accessibility option to help you live a fuller life? Currently, eSight has been able to improve the sight of 80% of their visually impaired candidates. Learn whether eSight can help you by trying it for free. Currently, the eSight 3 is available on the market for $9,995. However, don’t let the price tag dissuade you. The company provides multiple options and resources for assistance to help you afford this revolutionary piece of technology. “We never want price to be a barrier from someone having access to the technology they want and need,” said Marketing Manager Laura Chau. “That’s why we have our Affordability Team who seeks out resources for you and work with you one-on-one to organize crowdfunding, find grants, or whatever it may be to find you the funds required in order for you to get your technology.” Talk to one of eSight’s representatives about financing options, as well as their eMPOWER program, which helps customers raise money in order to pay for this powerful piece of eyewear. When you reach out, the company extends an open hand and invites you to the eSight family, where the miracle of sight is made possible for many. For more information, visit eSight Eyewear online. Next »« Previous10 Different Ways to Prevent Blindness
10 Different Ways to Prevent Blindness
Most people take the ability of sight for granted, never thinking that they could become blind. Glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes and macular degeneration are just a few of the ways one can lose their eyesight. Below, we have broken down the multiple ways one can prevent eye damage and vision loss.