Two American students have created a website that talks to help blind and visually impaired individuals find trendy clothes, which are then mailed to the person's home. The website, www.whitecanelabel.com, asks users what types of clothes they like, what colors, or what style it is they are looking for (ex. business casual). The website then picks an outfits according to the person's taste.
Asmah Abushagur and Jaimen Brill, students at the Rochester Institute of Technology, thought of the idea for a school project. But once they realized the difficulties blind people often have trying to dress themselves, they created a non-profit organization which asks designers to donate clothes.
Braille labels will be attached to clothing so a person can tell the difference between different colors and outfits.
Abushagur and Brill's website, www.whitecanelabel.com, it scheduled to go online in the fall.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Talking website eyes fashion for the blind
Thursday, July 19, 2007
National Federation of the Blind staged march in Atlanta
On Tuesday, July 3rd, hundreds of blind people marched nearly half a mile through downtown Atlanta to prove a point: Blind people can do the same things sighted persons can do.
The event, organized by the National Federation of the Blind, was designed to improve access to jobs and education for the blind and visually impaired. According to Marc Mauer, federation president and a lawyer from Maryland, the blind population in the U.S. has a 70% unemployment rate and only 10% are taught to read and write braille in U.S. schools.
The march was led by U.S. Rep John Lewis (D). Organizers said 1,000 or more people took part. The Atlanta police estimate was 700.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Blind People have better serial memory
A study by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that blind individuals are particularly adept at remembering things in the right order.
According to researchers Noa Raz and Ehud Zohary of Hebrew University, the study shows that mental capabilities might be enhanced in order to compensate for the lack of sensory input.
The researchers tested the performance of 19 congenitally blind individuals and individually matched sighted controls in two types of memory tasks. The blind individuals recalled more words than the sighted, and many in their original order.
The researchers believe that the superior memory of the blind is a result of practice. "In the absence of vision, the world is experienced as a sequence of events. Since the blind constantly use serial memory strategies in everyday circumstances, they tend to develop superior skills," Zohary said.
The study is published in the journal Current Biology.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
New Hope for those with Radiation Retinopathy
A U.S. study says that the drug Avastin may help those with radiation retinopathy to keep their eyesight longer.
The two year study, which was published in the journal Archives of Opthalmology, found that Avastin reduces abnormal blood vessel growth and stops leakage in the eye. This allows patients who were previously thought to be destined to blindness within 5 years keep their sight longer. Twenty-eight patients have been successfully treated with Avastin.
Dr. Paul T. Finger, director of Ocular Tumor Services at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, was the lead author of the study. Dr. Finger stats that before the Avastin findings, there was not an effective treatment for radiation retinopathy.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Coffee may prevent blepharospasm
An Italian study suggest that people who drink coffee are less likely to develop blepharospasm, an involuntary eye condition which makes the affected blink uncontrollably. Advanced cases of blepharospasm can render individuals functionally blind due to te inability to prevent their eyes from clamping shut.
The study involved a control group of 166 patients with blepharospasm, and two control groups. The participants were recruited from five Italian hospitals and asked questions about their coffee drinking and smoking habits.
The findings, which are published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, were inconclusive as to the relationship of smoking and blepharospasm, but strongly suggest coffee as a protective factor.
Monday, July 2, 2007
American Express makes charitable giving easy!
With the GivingExpressSM program, giving has never been so easy or rewarding
Give to your favorite charity, Independence for the Blind of West Florida, by donating with your American Express Card. Donations can be made in dollars or Membership Rewards® points. Your dollar donation is tax deductible and you will receive an e-mail receipt that meets IRS requirements as a record of your contribution. The site also enables you to set up recurring donations to your favorite charity, such as Independence for the Blind of West Florida. Plus, you can earn one Membership Rewards point for virtually every dollar you donate on an eligible, enrolled Card.
Visit www.americanexpress.com/give for more information * To be eligible to earn bonus points, you must be enrolled in the Membership Rewards program at the time of the donation and must charge your purchase on an eligible, enrolled American Express® Card. Terms and conditions of the Membership Rewards program apply. For more information visit www.americanexpress.com/rewards. Donation of Membership Rewards points are not tax deductible.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Gene linked to congenital blindness identified
A team of international researchers working at the McGill University Health Center has identified the gene responsible for Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), the most common cause of congenital blindness among infants and young children.
Robert Koenekoop, director of the McGill Ocular Genetics Center said "our main goal is to identify all the genes responsible for congenital blindness in children and then study them so we can then use gene therapy to rescue their vision. " Only two samples, one form a U.S. subject and one from a Quebec subject were used in the study, allowing the scientists to complete the research within a few months, instead of several years, as previously required.
It is anticipated that this method could become a model for future identification of other retinal diseases and causes of blindness.
The research can be found in the journal Nature Genetics.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Inaccessible Websites could cause legal woes
Web designers beware: if your company website does not comply with universal web design standards, meaning it is inaccessible or not user-friendly to people with visual or mental handicaps, you could be sued.
Target Corporation is being sued by the National Federation of the Blind due to the fact that visually impaired persons using screen reading technology cannot access much of the information on the Target website, and cannot purchase items from the sight without assistance.
Last September, Judge Marilyn Hall Patel ruled that a retailer can be sued if its website is inaccessible to the visually impaired, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Before this ruling, it was assumed that websites did not fall under the act, and were not consider places of accommodation.
How can you be sure that your website is acceptable? A good place to start is the Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards. You can review the standards here. These standards cover a variety of technologies.
These standards state that every non text element, essentially all photos and graphics, must be labeled with an alt tag containing descriptive text about the element.
This labeling serves two purposes: it makes the graphic accessible to users of non-graphic technologies, and also may help with search engine optimization.
If you would like more information on accessibility issues for the blind and visually impaired, feel free to contact IB West.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Scientists researching treatment for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
British Scientists are developing a technique to use stem cells to cure "dry" age-related macular degeneration. The procedure will generate replacement retinal pigment epithelial cells from stem cells in the lab, with surgeons then injecting a small patch of new cells, measuring 4 by 6 millimeters back into the eye. The scientists believe this procedure is capable of restoring vision in the vast majority of patients with age related macular degeneration. The research was made possible through a grant of 4 million pounds ($8 million US) from an anonymous U.S. donor. For more information on the research, click here.
Leia Mais…Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Interacting with the Blind and Visually Impaired
Many sighted people are often unsure of how to interact with a visually impaired person. They may be unsure of whether or not they should offer assistance. It is important to remember that blind and visually impaired persons are just ordinary people. This post will discuss some important tips to remember when you interact with a blind or visually impaired person.
- Speak Directly to the individual. You would not want someone asking your companion what you want; extend the same courtesy to the visually impaired. Additionally, you do not need to speak louder or slowly to someone with a visual impairment, unless they have made it clear that they also have a hearing impairment.
- Always introduce yourself by name. The visually impaired often remember voices, but just as sighted people sometimes remember a face but forget a name, they can remember a voice but forget a name.
- Announce yourself when you are entering and exiting a room. If there are others with you, introduce them as well. You should also want to mention if there are children or pets with you as well.
- Orient visually impaired guests to your home or office. Show them where the exits, bathroom, closets and temperature controls are located so that they can take care of their personal needs.
- When dining with a visually impaired person, guide their hand to a chair, then provide a brief overview of where items are located on the table in reference to their seat (i.e.- salt is at 12 o'clock, bread basket is at 3 o'clock).
- Always ask a visually impaired person if they want your assistance. Do not grab them by the arm. If they accept your assistance, let them take your arm, jsut behind the elbow.
- Never grab, pet or feed a working guide dog.
You may also call IB West or visit our website for answers to specific questions. Leia Mais…
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Economic Impact of Vision Problems $51.4 Billion
Prevent Blindness America recently released a report that estimated the costs associated with adult vision problems in the United States at at a staggering $51.4 billion.
The study calculates the cost to the individual, their caregiver and the U.S. Economy. Researchers are hopefully that the study will give policymakers a better look at the financial impact of vision loss on the individual, caregivers, the government and insurance premiums.
It is believed that the impact vision loss has on the U.S. economy will only increase in coming decades as the baby boomer generation ages.
You can read more on the study, including how the cost was determined, here.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Blind Pilot flies 13,500 miles
Miles Hilton-Barber, 58, lost his eyesight to a hereditary condition more that 20 years ago. That didn't stop him from flying from London to Sydney in 54 days to fulfill his dream of being a pilot.
Assisted by sighted co-pilot Richard Meredith-Hardy,40, the pair left Biggin Hill air base in London on March 7th in the microlight aircraft. The aircraft looks like a cross between a tricycle and a motorized hanglider, and was equipped with an audio device that reads out navigational information, including air speed and altitude.
Hilton-Barber hopes that his flight will raise US $2 million dollars for the charity Seeing is Believing, which works for the prevention of blindness in developing countries. To date, approximately $65,000 US has been raised as a result of Hilton-Barber's flight.
Hilton-Barber has always been an adventurer, and has previously conquered Mount Kilimanjaro and Mont Blanc, ran marathons in the Sahara and Gobi deserts, and hauled a sledge over 250 miles of Antartic Ice in an attempt to reach the South Pole.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Using virtual touch to "see" objects
Researchers at Arizona State University are developing technology that will allow the blind and visually impiared to to use their sense of touch to "see" distant objects or onces that can't be touched, such as artifacts or artwork.
Called a haptic interface, the gloves, developed by the scientists at the Center for Cognitive Ubiquitous Computing (or CUbIC), create a virtual object that the wearere can feel just seconds after a spoken or gestured command.
The researchers at CUbIC designed the gloves as part of a flagship project called iCARE, and acronym for Information technology Centric Assistive and Rehabilitative Environment. The goal of iCARE is to create devices that assist the visually impaired with aspects of life such as studying, recognizing friends and family, visiting museums and shopping in stores.
In addition to the gloves, researchers have also created a pair of sunglasses with a camera embedded in the nose peice and a speaker in the strap that will tell a visually impaired person if someone familiar is approaching. The glasses look just like regular Oakleys or Ray-Bans.
Researchers hope to develop technology for the glasses which will not only recognize a familiar person, but give the wearer insight into their emotional state and details such as if they have had a haircut or changed their hair color. CUbiC is also proposing radio frequency identification tags for retail outlets that would transmit information about the product and price to a PalmPilot like device that the visually impaired shopper can carry.
You can read more about the research at CUbic here.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Independent Living Aids Buys rival Mailers
Jericho, New York based Independent Living Aids, the country's oldest privately held cataloger specializing in products for the blind and visually impaired, has acquired cataloger Ann Morris Enterprises, which also sells products for people with vision loss. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Products similar to those sold by in both catalogs are used by IB West to assist our clients in living independent lives.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Support IB West for a chance to win a weekend on the beach!
Win the
Angels on the Beach Getaway
at the
Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front
BLUE ANGELS WEEKEND - July 19, 20 & 21
Drawing will be held on June 29
Gulf-front Room Meal Package Included
Proceeds benefit
Independence for the Blind of West Florida
850.477.2663 www.ibwest.org
Friday, April 13, 2007
Beta Carotene may not help against AMD
Beta Carotene pills, previously thought to be useful in slowing or preventing vision loss from age related macular degeneration may not be as effective as scientists once thought.
A new study showed no benefit for beta carotene pills alone against the disease. These findings come from a study which tracked more than 21,000 male doctors for an average of 12 years. The participants took either 50mg of beta carotene or a dummy pill every other day.
Almost the same number of participants in each group developed age related macular degeneration, showing that the beta carotene neither increased nor decreased the risk of developing the disease.
The study did not include any woman, so further study will have to be done to find if the outcome is the same for women. Additionally, this study does not suggest that carrots are not helpful for preserving eyesight.
The best advice, scientists say, is to eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day because its the combination of nutrients that seems most important.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Arizona Citizens Seek Blind Justice
In December, the state of Arizona filed two lawsuits against two separate theater chains located in the state. The suits allege that the theaters do not offer the proper auxiliary equipment required for blind and deaf individuals to have the same experience as their sighted peers. You can read more about the the cases here and here.
Currently, we were unable to locate any theaters in Pensacola or the surrounding areas that offer Descriptive Narration services to visually impaired patrons, however, we will continue to research the matter, and will update you as we receive additional information. If you or someone you know is visually impaired, and would like to know what rights they have as a disabled person, you may contact us.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
The Masters is over, but Blind Golfers are gearing up for tournament
Many individuals who have lost their sight also feel that they have lost the ability to partake in many recreational sports that they previously enjoyed. However, there are many organizations that specialize in adapting sports for blind and disabled players, to get them back in the game.
One such organization making headlines is the East Tennessee Technology Access club, which is hosting a golf tournament on April 23 at Fox Den Country Club. Golfers from across the area will attend the competition. Some are even hoping to reach the national championship fro blind golf. You can read more about the tournament and the golfers here.
Additionally, many other sports are being adapted for blind players as well. You can find out more about the adapted sports and the rules at the United States Association of Blind Athletes.
Additionally, Independence for the Blind offers Independent Living Skills training, which includes a component of recreation. If you or someone you know has additional questions about blind sports, please contact us!
Friday, April 6, 2007
Smoking increases risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
New research suggests that cigarette smokers are much more likely than non-smokers to go blind late in life. Researchers in the United Kingdom have concluded that smoking led to a two-to-threefold increase in the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.
Age-related macular degeneration, a condition that blurs the sharp central vision (which we use for skills like reading,driving, and other activities requiring fine, sharp or straight-ahead vision), is the most common cause of legal blindness in those over age 55. Nearly one out of three people over the age of 75 are affected by the condition. There are approximately 10 million people in the United States affected with age-related macular degeneration, and about 200,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States.
Simon P. Kelly, opthalmic surgeon and study-co-researcher told WebMD: "The studies confirmed that smokers were significantly more likely to develop age related macular degeneration than nonsmokers and that heavy smokers had the highest risk."
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with age related macular degeneration, and needs help learning how to live an independent life, please contact Independence for the Blind of West Florida.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
New Specialty tag raises money for Visually Impaired
A new tag is now available at tag agencies across the state. The "A State of Vision" license plate will benefit blind and visually impaired Floridans. Proceeds from the sale of the tags will got to support the services of local non-profit agencies statewide, including Independence for the Blind of West Florida. The plates are expected to be a popular seller as the design will appeal to many individuals.
The project was spearheaded by the Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind (FAASB). The revenue generated by the sale of the new plate will be distributed to the FAASB to provide direct support for local services to Florida's growing visually impaired population. Supporters of Independence for the Blind and other local agencies throughout the state signed the necessary petitions to create the new plate.
The new "A State of Vision" license plate is available at tag agencies throughout Florida. For more information on their availability, contact your local auto tag agency or County Tax Collector's office.
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