4Sight Vision Support supports blind and sight impaired children and adults, their families and carers, across West Sussex. Their free services help clients maintain independence, with advice on education, employment, obtaining financial assistance, social activities, and health and wellbeing. In addition, a key area of their expertise is an Accessible Technology Service, to help clients with daily tasks following sight loss.
Equipment such as magnification tools or adapted lighting may at first spring to mind, but every day more technologies are becoming available which can be adapted to support varying needs.
For example, a Smart Speaker can access news, weather forecasts and talking books; set alarms and reminders, and manage a daily calendar. A wide choice of phone apps can access public transport information, read written documents to you and control your central heating remotely. Other technologies can help monitor emails, convert text to audio, and by scanning codes using apps such as Navilens, provide information on food packaging, public signage and public transport to name a few. The built-in screen reader on a TV will provide information about what programmes are audio described, and settings on a PC screen can adjust the display to suit those with impaired vision.
If you or someone you know would benefit from advice on maximising technology for visually impaired people, contact 4SVS on 01243 828555 or email enquiries@4sight.org.uk. 4SVS also runs several Low Vision Solutions Open Days allowing hands-on experience with products and technology, visit 4sight.org.uk for details. Please contact 4SVS if you’d also like to find out more about their social and walking groups in your locality.
