A Vision Without Sight

I have a new favorite, totally accessible kitchen gadget.  What is it?  The instant Pot!! Or as I like to call it the Insta-pot.  I ordered the version that has bluetooth capability.  This is not the only option for an accessible instant pot.  I will explain mine then explain how you can make your instant pot accessible if you don't want to spend the extra money on the bluetooth capability. The neat thing is that I can chuck whatever I want in there, start it and very quickly I have fully cooked meats, potatoes, rice, full meals for 4 and its as easy as dumping the ingredients in, putting the lid on, setting and that's it.  It cooks under pressure and heat to fully cook whatever you want and seals in flavors and juices.  Meats come out tender and juicy and everything is cooked through and warm.  The neat thing about the Bluetooth version I have is that I don't need to see the buttons on the pot or see anything on it.  The entire panel is acc...

Today I installed a window unit into my window in my room and it was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be.  I felt the different pieces and thought about how I have seen them before.  I knew what pieces needed to go where but if I didn't I could have used Aira or Be My Eyes apps for assistance.  I screwed in the screws with a screwdriver most of the way and once I get them all in, I tightened them because I knew I would have to line them up.  I took my time and felt the different pieces and figured out what goes where.  It was surprisingly a lot easier than I thought.  I lifted it into the window and it sat in there perfectly with grooves.  I used the weight of the window to hold it in.  I then took the rest of the hardware to screw it into the window sill.  Then before turning it on, i felt around the seams for warm air, i stuffed the insulating into those parts.  It was an incredibly satisfying experience to know I did it wit...

How I Like To Organize My Life To keep it organized I have my own system that I came up with.  This is a combination of techniques and ideas from handfuls of blind people who do this every day and live life in an organized manner.  I have tweaked what I do to work for me, which is what I recommend for you. Take what i have, like it sink in, then tweak if so it fits you best.  No one way is the right way.  That is what is so great about life and learning to do things non visually or with limited vision, is that there are so many different ways to achieve one task, you decide what works and YOU DO YOU! Personally, I love totes .  You know those plastic bins with lids?... yeah those.  I love having things organized and in totes for example, all my hair stuff gets a tote, all my make up is in a tote, all my art supplies get a tote, even though that tote is overflowing and in major need for a bigger one. Because I am low vision, I tend to make things more...

How can you clean if you cant see the mess? Many people have the misconception that because you cant see that things are messy or dirty that I wont be able to know to clean it or be able to clean it thoroughly.  That couldn't be more wrong.  I believe I get things cleaner than the sighted person. I use my other senses to make sure things are clean.  Here is what I do. Others may have different strategies that work for them and if so, please post a comment!  I use patterns.  What? Yes patterns or repetitive movements.  To clean the counter I use a disinfectant wipe or soapy sponge and do an up and down motion, forward and back, catching the crumbs at the edge of the counter.  I slowly move left or right as I repeat the pattern of forward and back along the counter. Next I go over it with my hands tactically feeling the counter.  If there are any places I forgot, I will clean them. I follow up with a disinfectant wipe because I just touched all ...

What Are Dual Media Books? Dual Media books that are made for both print and braille readers.  They are usually that print version of the book with clear braille pages or braille above or below the print.  Dual Media books are great for blind parents or parents with blind children or both!  You can experience the pictures through picture descriptions that some books have.  This creates an experience that both sighted and blind readers can enjoy.  How To Make Your Own Dual Media Books I do this quite frequently.  Below are the steps I take to make a regular print book into a dual media book. Buy the print version of the book, usually off Amazon. Download the word doc from book share.  I edit out all the extra type and things that I will not braille like copyright stuff etc.   Using JAWS Screen reader I have it read the page to me one sentence at a time and I braille it on paper. Proofread the paper copy. On Braillables aka Braille...

How Do Blind People Identify Their Money? Blind people identify their money in a variety of ways.  There is no right way to do it, it is what works for you.   The most common way is Money Folding The money is folded based on its denomination. Ones — unfolded Fives — Fold in half lengthwise (Hot dog style) Tens — Fold in half by width (Hamburger style) Twenties — Combination of two folds, One length wise and then by width.   Each Coin has a different characteristic to help you determine it by touch. You can feel the size then determine by the ridges or lack of ridges on them Penny — Smaller than nickel bigger than a dime with smooth edges Nickel — Medium with smooth edges Dime — small with ridges Quarter — Large with ridges 50¢ piece — really huge with ridges Some people choose Wallets with Dividers Some people choose to get a wallet with dividers or organize their money as they receive it and organize it based on memory of how many...

The Importance of Having a Spare Cane It is VITAL! I cannot stress this enough! I was packing for a trip to my parents house in Chicago.  I was only expecting to be gone ten days.  I have used my NFB Folding Cane and only really use it when traveling or going to crowded places and restaurants.  I figured it hasn't gotten much use so it should last ten days right?...Wrong.  I got to Chicago and unfolded my can and low and behold, the point of connection between the fourth and fifth pieces had frayed and the connection is weak.  Great.... I don't have a usable cane and I am no where near a center that sells NFB canes.  They don't sell long white canes on amazon and the Independence Market was closed.  I thought about the Free White Cane program but I had already requested my cane in the last 6 months so I was not eligible,  I called D Canes, the maker of the Nebraska Cane, aka Bob Riley, and he didn't answer at first.  Luckily....

This is the National Federation of the Blind Color Guard made up of members of the federation family, presenting the colors at National Convention in Las Vegas! I love that blindness does not hold these individuals back from sharing patriotism with our world.  Video Description:   Color Guard linked together with one hand on the shoulder of the person in front of them displaying the multiple flags as they march off following the presentation of the colors.

Bookshare — Bringing Literacy to People With Print Disabilities Website https://www.bookshare.org/cms/ What is it? Bookshare is an ebook library that makes reading easier. Members can access a huge collection of ebooks and  read their way  with the most customizable ebooks  “for people with reading barriers.  The library has  “748,878 titles and is the most extensive collection of accessible ebooks in the world. It includes books for school, career, and reading pleasure, as well as titles in over 34 languages. The collection is supported by a dedicated volunteer community and partnerships with over 820 US and international publishers. Who Qualifies? In order for you to become a Bookshare member, an expert must confirm that you have a print disability that severely inhibits or prevents you from reading traditional print materials. Anyone in the world with a qualifying print disability may join Bookshare. (Learning Disabil...