Beyond Vision: Maintaining Independence
More than 100,000 people in Colorado have uncorrectable vision loss that interferes with daily activities, according to the American Foundation for the Blind.
The prevalence of vision loss and blindness increases with age and age-related visual conditions. Simple activities like cooking, shopping, using email and computer tasks can be overwhelming for them.
The Center for People with Disabilities’ (CPWD) Beyond Vision program, serving Boulder County and the North Metro area, provides one-on-one and group education and training for people of all ages to learn the skills they need to remain independent with vision loss and live fulfilling lives.
David Law, a Beyond Vision Skills Trainer, provides a key support in living independently – assistive technology. David woke up one day a few weeks before his 18th birthday with blurred vision. He learned that he had a birth complication in his retina and soon lost all his vision. With training and support, he graduated college, worked for the State of Colorado, and then in the technology field before joining CPWD. Today, he works one-on-one to help people with vision loss engage in their lives through technology.
“Even the smallest thing to us, like connecting to a news feed or correctly using voicemail can be a huge shift in the life of someone with vision loss,” David says. “With a little training, the technology available on today’s phones, tablets and computers can mean the difference between isolation and connection.”
Beyond Vision also offers Peer Support Groups, where people with vision loss can share their experiences and hopes, learn from trainers and speakers, make friends and build their community.
To find a peer group or receive training, visit www.cpwd.org or call David Law at 303-442-8662 x249.
Originally Published on 50 Plus Marketplace
Matt Kissane, Director of Listener Services
Audio Information Network of Colorado. Providing blind & visually impaired individuals with audio access to reading materials. 303-786-7777, ext. 108 or matt@aincolorado.org/
Lisa Nelson, the Director of Core Services at
CPWD, provided this information.
I’m eager to learn more and experience the AINC.
Please be aware that use of the orange font on the white background is very difficult for those with vision loss to read.