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Deafblind Awareness Week - Day 4

6/30/2016

Day 4 - Technology

As you see from past posts I mention a lot of technology that assist deafblind people in their daily lives. I mainly use the Magnifier option on my laptop that enlarges the screen for me as I still have useable sight. Other technology is the visual alert pager I mentioned yesterday. I also have an iPad that was provided by iCanConnect, a government subsidy program that provides deafblind people with the technology they need to connect with the world around them. If you have combined vision and hearing loss, you should check if you qualify for this program.

Here's a video showing all the technology I mentioned over the past few days:

I hope you're enjoying and learning something new, feel free to ask me anything else!

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Deafblind Awareness Week - Day 3

6/29/2016

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Day 3 - Daily Living

How we go about our daily lives also depends on how deaf and blind we are. The adaptations I use are mainly Low Vision tactics as well as a Visual Alert system which flashes a lamp plugged into it when the phone, door or alarm goes off. I also wear a pager that vibrates to the alerts too.

Below is my old video explaining some more daily living tactics that I and other deafblind individuals can use. It's open captioned but not voiced, sorry.

Again, any questions? Shoot me a message!

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Deafblind Awareness Week - Day 2

6/28/2016

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Day 2 - Communication

Our means of communicating with others around us vary a lot. It really depends on a variety of factors: degree of loss, age of onset of loss, and personal preference.

I grew up being able to speak and communicate efficiently one-on-one for the most part, I can still do that but I prefer having an ASL interpreter for: important or complicated issues, groups, a far away speaker, and the like.

Picture of a Brailliant Braille Display and a Smartphone

HumanWare Brailliant Communicator

Another communication option is using a Braille computer with a communicator option that allows the user to connect via bluetooth with any iOs phone and message back and forth with another person.

Other ways are explained in this video below that is captioned for the "signing impaired". Just click the "CC" in the bottom right corner.

I hope this is educational so far, give me a shoutout for any more questions or information.

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Deafblind Awareness Week - Day 1

6/27/2016

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The last week of June is Helen Keller Deafblind Awareness Week as declared by President Ronald Reagan in 1984.

As I've said countless times, being Deafblind doesn't mean "totally deaf and totally blind", and people wonder how do we "live". So all week I will focus on a different topic and invite y'all into our world of being Deafblind. As you read these explanations just remember it's just part of our lives and we don't need sympathy or "amazement"

Day 1 - Getting Around

As I say, deafblindness varies in different degrees so the tools we use to get around vary as much as our vision and hearing loss. Some people don't need anything and can get around fine on their own, others prefer a white cane, a guide dog, or a sighted guide.

One technology tool one may use is a GPS App on our smartphone synced by Bluetooth to a BrailleNote to read directions in Braille. We can use this while walking or riding transit to determine where we are. A simpler method would be to have a business card holder holding cards with various destinations printed on them (as well as braille for the person to identify) to show the taxi or bus driver where you'd like to go.

Some deafblind individuals rather use SSPs (Support Service Providers) who basically are their eyes and ears. The SSP drives the individual around and guides them and relays all information to them - layout of the room, who's present, what's happening, and sometimes do basic interpreting (but are not permitted to do full interpreting). SSPs are available in only a few states, or even just a few cities. We need an expansion of this great program and somehow make it National.

If you ever get a chance to guide a deafblind person (or a person with blindness or low vision), here's a great video to teach you how to do this. Just keep in mind to ask if they need assistance first.

So if you have any questions about how deafblind people get around, just comment below and I'll be glad to answer.

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Guest Post - 5 Moving Tips for People With Disabilities

6/20/2016

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Moving can be a huge hassle for anybody, but if you have a disability, there are certain aspects of the process that present a higher level of difficulty. There are, however, things you can do to help make the process - from looking for a new home to moving in - less of a headache. Below are five tips to do just that.

Picture of a Cape Cod style house and manicured lawn with a long flat sidewalk to the front door and side of house

1. Use Moving Apps

There are quite a few apps out there for helping you move. You may find that these have varying degrees of accessibility, so their usefulness may depend on your specific disability, but there are quite a few options that can help you get your ducks in a row when it's time to relocate. Most of them provide Apple and Android versions, but be sure to double-check that they support your mobile device.

2. Ask Your Real Estate Agent The Right Questions

Make sure to ask your real estate any questions you might have about a potential home. Don't be afraid to ask questions about their actual opinion about things either. Redfin suggests asking:

What they like about the home
What concerns they have about it
If they think the price is right
How long it has been on the market
If there are any repairs needed

3. Be Sure Needed Facilities Are Nearby

When you're looking for a potential home, one thing you'll want to keep in mind is the proximity to facilities that you need, such as medical offices, people and services you rely on for assistance, or even the grocery store. It doesn't hurt to make a checklist of all of these and keep that in consideration as you house hunt.

4. Scope Out Dangerous Obstacles

It's a good idea to keep an eye out for any dangerous obstacles that may be problematic for you either during the move or in day-to-day life. Look for these when you're looking at a potential home, but also ahead of moving day once you've decided on where you want to live. This could be something that isn't immediately obvious such as an uneven sidewalk.

5. Ask About Discounts

Anne Miller at Moving.com recommends seeing if movers offer any discounts. "Don’t be shy about asking if a firm offers a special deal," she writes. " It can make the difference between keeping your sanity or elevating your stress levels. Nick Baucom, the founder and president of Two Marines Moving, serves the Washington, D.C. area, including the Maryland and Virginia suburbs. His firm moves disabled veterans for a 50% discount, if they’ve been at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center or the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. That discount often means the veterans can afford full packing services, if they choose."

Whether you're a veteran or not, services may have discounts that apply to you.

Aimee Lyons, a native to colorful Austin,Texas, is a creative Jack of All Trades. It makes sense that a young creator from a city like Austin would want to form a supportive community for other innovative minds. That is why Aimee started DIYDarlin.com, a place for artists, crafters, and the like to share ideas and inspiration. A painter and vintage stylist, her work is her life, and Aimee continues spread that same passion.

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Guest Post - Enjoy Your Renovated Backyard this Summer

6/14/2016

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When the first rays of sunlight start passing through those tree branches and everybody starts spending the majority of their time outdoors, it becomes necessary to create a lovable sanctuary, right there in the shade of your backyard.

But if your outdoor setting has been neglected for some time, it might be a good idea to resort to some frugal but effective methods that will help you transform your yard into a perfect setting for those long summer days.

Picture of lawn chairs, one with a potted plant on it. There's a shovel and pail in front resting in the dirt

Add A Dash of Color
Although there are tons of different ways that can help you transform your outdoor living space, perhaps the most effective one is adding a bit of color to the complete setting.

Never underestimate the power of fresh paint and colorful details. If a colorful fence is not enough to keep your yard in a cheerful tone, you can easily resort to other options: like colorful plant containers, fresh flowers and plants, but also some quality ambient lighting as well.

If you are feeling bold, you can always decide to paint a side of your house in a different shade or perhaps paint your door in a vivid tone. If you really want to make it interesting, spread some colorful stones and gravel around your backyard for the ultimate effect.

Picture of a wooden table and two wooden folding chairs on a tiled deck with a grey wall in the background

Make Space for Entertainment
Another thing that can drastically improve the appearance of your yard is creating an entertaining sanctuary both for those daily pleasures and also for night parties. An open-kitchen design has been increasing in popularity over the years, especially with a simple addition of a cozy fire pit and some comfy garden furniture.

Top all that with some quality waterproof shade sails and you have a pleasant backyard setting for those close friends and family gatherings without having to worry about rain or hail or even harmful sun radiation.

Picture of garden with bushes and plants in front of a group of different trees

Choose Your Greenery
When deciding on the right type of plant life you are going to grow in your garden, it is important to consider all the factors. Even if you have spotted a rare specimen of an exotic plant in your local flower shop and have decided that its flowers would make a great addition to your backyard, it is a good idea to check whether those plants are suitable for the conditions in your yard.

Whether the plants will thrive, depends on many factors like soil, climate, other plant life and even the animals and insects. Try to do some research about what kinds of plants are recommended for your region, but also try to keep an open mind. Other than the usual decorative plants, you can always try to grow your own fruits and veggies or even start your own herb garden.

Picture of wooden crates with colorful plants set on gravel ground

Invest in Details
If you are still not quite sure what project to start in your backyard, make sure not to underestimate the power of imagination. Remember that even the smallest changes can have a lot of effect, especially when it comes to decoration. If you wish to create a pleasant setting without too much effort, the best you can do is invest in charming cobbled-paths or even some delightful water features.

Another thing you can do is create magnificent decorative objects from re purposed old items. An old bicycle painted in a new color can make a wonderful addition to the backyard and some old crates and pallets can be made in cute seating arrangements. With just a bit of creativity, you can create genial adornments that are going to bring your yard back to life.

A backyard renovation project does not necessarily have to take a lot of your time, energy or money, for that matter. All you have to do is invest a bit of yourself, use your imaginative side and create a delightful surrounding where you can sit, relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

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Deafblind Awareness Week - Day 4

Deafblind Awareness Week - Day 3

Deafblind Awareness Week - Day 2

Deafblind Awareness Week - Day 1

Guest Post - 5 Moving Tips for People With Disabilities

Guest Post - Enjoy Your Renovated Backyard this Summer

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