People living with visual impairment will have the chance to learn about how technology can help make their lives easier through a series of free information sessions.
Vision Australia will run free sessions at its Belmont office on March 19 and 26 to showcase the ways different technologies, both specialist and mainstream, can have a life-changing impact at home, school, work and in the community.
Tim Higgins, one of Vision Australia’s access technology specialists, said modern technology could help many people living with blindness or low vision overcome everyday challenges.
“A lot of modern mainstream technologies like smartphones have a number of built-in accessibility features and there’s also a range of apps that can support people who are blind or have low vision when it comes to navigation, communication or accessing information in the community,” Mr Higgins said.
“Technology can often be what makes those everyday, but vital, tasks possible.
“For example, a device like a Google Home or Amazon Alexa might be what helps someone access a recipe and set timers while they’re in the kitchen, while knowing how to use the voice command functions of their smart phone can be what allows them to call or text friends and family.”
The sessions are open to anyone whose life is impacted by vision loss that cannot be corrected by glasses or similar measures, as well as their family or carers.
Aimed at people completely new to these kinds of technologies as well as advanced users, the session will involve demonstrations and opportunities to try out various devices.
“We can also introduce people to the huge range of specialist equipment available to them, from something like a magnifier that helps people with low vision read written information, or it might be something more advanced like screen-reading software that supports someone who is blind to find and maintain employment,” Mr Higgins said.
Visit geelong.admin@visionaustralia.org or call (03) 5249 2700 for more information or to register for the sessions.
