Here are Devon in Sight's most useful tips that will make life a little easier.
If you have any other ideas please call 01392 876 666 to share.
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Dont rule yourself out of anything
Don’t rule yourself out of anything. There are always things that can be altered to include you. Ask Devon in Sight for help with anything you want to achieve.
Call us on 01392 876 666
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Enjoy
Do something that you enjoy.
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One thing at a time
Learn one new thing at a time.
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Time for yourself
Take some time for yourself. We all need time to deal with the challenges that life throws at us.
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Organisation
Be really organised. Always put things where you want them, so you can find them again.
Don’t let anyone “tidy up” without your say so.
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Doors open or closed
Tell people to leave doors fully open or fully closed. Then you won’t bump into the edge of the door.
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Oven 180 degrees Celsius
Put Bumpons on the 180 degree Celsius mark on your oven. You can cook most things cook at that temperature and go either sider for hotter or cooler.
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Hot Water Dispensers
Consider buying a Hot Water Dispenser rather than using a kettle to make hot drinks
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Sugar Cubes
Use sugar cubes, rather than a teaspoon of sugar.
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Brightly Coloured Mugs
Buy bright coloured mugs and glasses. You can get mugs with anti-slip bases.
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Brushing your teeth
Don’t put toothpaste on your toothbrush, put it on your finger or directly into your mouth. If there is someone else in your household, have your own toothpaste.
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Shampoo and Conditioner
Use a rubber band on your shampoo so you know which is the conditioner
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Reading Glasses
When you are still being treated for a sight loss condition and your sight isn’t stable, buy cheap reading glasses so that you can afford to throw them away when your sight is stable.
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T V Licence and Audio Description
People who are registered severely sight impaired are eligible for a discounted TV licence.
Audio description can bring TV and film to life.
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Windows Free Screen Reader
Thunder is a free screenreader for people with sight loss on Microsoft Windows. It is free for individuals and organisations. It works on Windows XP Service Pack 3 or later, including Windows 7 and 8.
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Vocaleyes
Vocaleyes is a nationwide audio-description service, providing access to the arts for people with sight loss. For more information, visit vocaleyes.co.uk or call Devon in Sight
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Entertainments and Leisure
You can get discounted tickets and free tickets for a ‘guide’ for many entertainment and leisure experiences.
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Menu online
If you are going out to a restaurant, the menu may be online. It may be easier to read before you go.
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Choosen Format for Letters
Tell your doctor, hospital, Bank and power provider for example, that you want all letters and documents sent in your chosen format. Devon in Sight has an example letter you can use.
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Traveleyes holidays
Traveleyes holidays provide holidays that buddy up partially sighted and sighted travellers.
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How to apply for a Disabled Persons Rail Card
You can get discounted rail tickets with a Disabled Person’s railcard and rail companies can provide help with planning your journey through the Assisted Travel scheme. If you’re registered as sight impaired, you can have a guide travel with you for free
Check out the website and follow their simple steps:
https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/using-your-railcard/how-to-apply/
- You can Check that you are eligible
- You can apply online
- Alternatively, you can download and complete their application form and post it with a copy of your evidence of eligibility and payment to:
National Railcards, PO Box 10776, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, LE65 9FA
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Shopping
Use shops that offer a free personal shopping service.
Ask for things in shops. Practice how to ask for help in a way that you are comfortable with.
Wear a Sunflower Lanyard (available from Devon in Sight or some supermarkets) to advertise that you have a hidden disability.
Order by phone from Sainburys by calling 0800 328 1700 and saying you want to place an order over the phone. There's a standard delivery rate depending on how many items you order (very reasonable - similar price as internet delivery).
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Super Power
Enjoy the ability to part crowds (most of the time) with your symbol or long cane. It’s a superpower!
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Accessing Supermarkets
Something I have found useful is with having a guide dog or using a long cane , White stick is that the security guards at supermarkets let me straight through without the need to queue, and they are amazed when I tell Fordy to find the way around the multiple barriers placed outside to designate entry and exit lanes.
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Clothes
Buy clothes with colours that blend. Create a capsule wardrobe with interchangeable items and you will always look great.
Always buy the same colour socks if you want to avoid that the odd sock look
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Carry a bag at all times
Carry a bag at all times – so when you go from dark to light you can pretend to rummage in it while your eyes are adjusting to the light. If you don’t have a bag, go through your pockets.
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Bells on your handbag
Put bells on your handbag to alert you is someone has picked it up.
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Hairdressers
Get your hairdresser to take a photo of the back of your head using your mobile instead of trying to see it in the mirror
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Losing things
If you keep losing your wallets, keys and handbags, use remote trackers which can be set up on a smart ‘phone to find them.
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Be my Eyes
Download the free “Be My Eyes” App. The App connects you with sighted volunteers who give help through a live video call. For example, you could ask “is this jumper blue or brown?”
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Seeing AI
If you use an iPhone, download the “Seeing AI” app which can read documents, describe faces and vistas, and identify a product from the barcode.
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Devon in Sight
Don’t struggle on your own there is so much support available.
Call us on 01392 876 666
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