Vision Australia Geelong is set to showcase all the ways technology can support people who are blind or have low vision in everyday life in a series of free information sessions.
The sessions will cover both specialist and mainstream technologies, highlighting the life changing impact they can have at home, school, work or in the community.
Vision Australia supports people whose everyday life is impacted by vision loss that can’t be corrected by glasses or similar, and the sessions are open to anyone who meets that criteria and their family or carers.
“Living with blindness or low vision can present some challenges, but for many people it’s technology that can really help them in everyday life,” Tim Higgins, Vision Australia access technology specialist, said.
“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,” Tim said.
The information sessions are open to both beginners and more advanced users and will involve demonstrations and allow people to get hands-on as well.
“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 the voice command functions of their smart phone can be what allows them to call or text friends and family.
“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.”
The information sessions will be held at Vision Australia Geelong 79 High St, Belmont on March 19 from 11am-12pm and March 26 from 5.30-6.30pm.
The sessions are free, but registrations are essential and can be made by email to [email protected] or by phone on (03) 5249 2700.