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• Reading
• Posted: 2008-01-25 15:34:12 By Bridget S
• Hello,
  Just over the past few weeks, it has gotten so hard to read anything. I love to read magazines, but everytime I try it just gets blurry and foggy. I used to be able to just close them for a little bit and go back to reading. I am a stay at home mom, and I don't drive so reading helps pass the time. Are there any type of things that can help with reading?
  
  Thanks,
  Bridget P

• Re: Reading
• Posted: 2008-01-25 16:54:15 By Darran Z
• Have you talked to your eye doctor about this? I wonder if a slight change in visual acuity is the problem that may be corrected? Or you may be experiencing another complication such as CME or even cataracts develping?
  
  But as far as reading goes, there are things out there. You might want to consult with a Low Vision Specialist to see what works best for you. Sometimes it could just be the glare on the magazine. I used a yellow transparency paper to read my college texts in my early days when reading became difficult. It did wonders.
  
  But if you really having trouble, then the high-tech expensive stuff will likely help, such as CCTVs. They have a range of different kinds to meet individuals needs.
  
  Darran

• Re: Reading
• Posted: 2008-01-27 21:59:50 By Natalie C
• Hi Bridget,
  
  I just had my husband buy me a Sony ebook so that I will have an easier time reading. You download books into the device and thera are three font sizes to choose from. I haven't received my device yet, but I tested out an older version at Costco over Christmas and the font sizes are great. The screen is also very similar to the look of paper so there is no glare. It isn't cheap, $300 and you have to pretty much get them on eBay as they are sold out in stores. Amazon has their own version as well, called a Kindle, also sold out and sells for about $400 I think. With the Kindle you can download newspapers and other items as well, but I just like books so I'm going with the Sony. I'm so excited because I hate paying more for large print books and my hands get tired holding a magnifying glass to read. I'll let you know how it works, but it seems like a good alternative for those of us who don't have the sharpest visual acuity anymore.
  Natalie C.

• Re: Re: Reading
• Posted: 2008-01-28 09:20:24 By Bridget S
• Natalie,
  That really sounds great. I have seen Kindle on Amazon, but really didn't pay any attention to it. Can you download magazines in Kindle or the Sony Ebook? Thanks for the info, I will definetly check into it. Let me know how you like it when you get it.
  
  Bridget P

• Re: Re: Re: Reading
• Posted: 2008-01-28 09:31:33 By Darran Z
• Well, if you want recordings, then you may want to contact your State Library for the Disabled/Blind and get set up. Then you could get access to the National Library Service (NLS) and be able to access all sorts of digital media and I think they do have magazines. I'm not sure. But they do have large print magazines if that will help. It's free for you. :)
  
  Darran

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Reading
• Posted: 2008-01-30 09:05:17 By Bridget S
• Darran,
  Eddie wrote me about the Commission for the blind. It seems that GA doesn't have it. Do you know anything about it? And if GA doesn't have it, can you go through another state to get the items that Eddie got?
  
  Thanks,
  Bridget P

• Re: Reading
• Posted: 2008-01-30 02:15:07 By Eddie L
• Hello,
  
  i went through the commission for the blind in my state (tx) and they got me the big 19in CCTV, a handheld one, and a software for the computer to make everything bigger. I also am register with the talk book program in my state. They furinsh you a tape player and the audio tapes ofthe books/mags . just like going to the library and checking out a book. now i listen to the books that i want to read. and use the CCTV for local newspaper, mags, or baseball cards that i collect. check with your state for help.

• Re: Re: Reading
• Posted: 2008-01-30 08:52:27 By Bridget S
• Thanks so much. This is great info. I don't really know what a CCTV is though. Can you explain? And I just need to contact my State Commission for the Blind?
  
  Thanks,
  Bridget P

• Re: Re: Re: Reading
• Posted: 2008-01-30 09:13:33 By Darran Z
• Bridget,
  
  A CCTV is Closed-Circuit TV. It is a magnification device that you can place print items in and can magnifiy it for you to watch on the TV. This is an example of a CCTV:
  
  http://www.humanware.com/en-usa/products/low_vision/myreader
  
  Now, as to whether you can get this in GA depends upon how the rules are created. If it is for home use (Independant Living) you'll need to go that route and not through VR. Since funding is both federal and State, rules vary from state to state due to the State funding in the mix.
  
  If you listen to books on tape, when you register with the State Library, you will have access to alot of electronic media that ou can download and in many cases play them on a MP3 player. They are updating the format you want so you don't have to get cassette tapes anymore. If you had access to a notetaker that produces braille output or audio output you can use that to listen to audio files downloaded (for free) and access eBooks (for free) and read them in Braille.
  
  Darran
  
  

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Reading
• Posted: 2008-01-30 09:55:10 By Bridget S
• Do you know anything about the PocketViewer?

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Reading
• Posted: 2008-01-30 09:58:32 By Darran Z
• PocketViewer is a hand-held CCTV with a 5 inch screen. It works in many situations like at the restaurants and stuff, but for long period of reading, I wouldn't recommend it. It enables you to put it in a purse or pocket and have something to read documents while you are out, whether it be a menu, a flyer, your reciept from the store, etc. It comes handy in those situations.
  
  Darran

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Reading
• Posted: 2008-01-30 10:00:28 By Bridget S
• OK, one more question and I will stop bothering you...
  What is the difference between the SmartView and the MyReader 2?

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Reading
• Posted: 2008-01-30 10:10:08 By Darran Z
• LOL Stop borthing me? LOL
  
  If I remember correctly, the SmartView is the traditional kind of CCTV. The myReader series is the new one with all the fancy gizmos on it. The demo I saw of myReader a few years back was that this device literally took a snapshot of the whole page and you can customize exactly how you want that text read. It can be adjusted to size and color (text and background) it can be an automatic marquee style with yous etting up yoru speed etc and direction, whether it is upward from the bottom or whether it is a single line from right to left. It has alot of features like that. It was nice but was expensive!
  
  Darran

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Reading
• Posted: 2008-01-30 10:13:54 By Bridget S
• I stay home with my 1 year old, so I read a lot of magazines. I can't even look at one now without getting dizzy and my eyes just really messing up. So I am looking for something that I can read my mags with. Thhis MyReader seems to be what I would need.
  Thanks so much for your info.

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Reading
• Posted: 2008-01-30 10:17:20 By Darran Z
• You should have a Technology person at the Blind Agency show you all these various CCTVs. They may be able to get the manufacturer come demo for you then you can see which one matches your needs best.
  
  I'll admit, a few years back, it was really nuts! It took me 2-3 hours just to readh one college text chapter! You do get tired quickly with them as well, just as someone would use a computer continuously. But if you are going to do alot of reading, then I suggest the audio route woudl be best and it's all free. You access and download them from the State library or NLS. The State Library even has LP magazines as well. So that's an option.
  
  Darran

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Reading
• Posted: 2008-02-02 21:50:55 By Natalie C
• Hi Bridget,
  Just an update--I got my Sony ebook and I love it. The largest print font is great for reading without a magnifying glass assuming the lighting is good--and I usually read in well lit areas anyway. I don't want audio books yet as I actually like to read with my eyes and eventually with my hands. And for me this works great as I'm often sitting at gymnastics for hours or waiting on rides, etc and it is small enough to fit in my purse and take everywhere. Drawbacks, no magazines--but I don't read them anyway. Have you tried a regular hand held magnifying glass for magazines or some off the shelf reading glasses from the grocery? I use a magnifying glass to read the paper as the print is bad for the visually impaired just like magazines. Anyway, good luck!! And happy reading!

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Reading
• Posted: 2008-02-02 21:56:58 By Bridget S
• Natalie,
  I am so glad that the eBook is working out for you. I like to read too. I don't think that I am ready for the audio thing yet. Besides I couldn't hear it over my one year old!!LOL
  Thanks for the updat. I might try the magnifying glass. Have you ever seen the magnifier that is the size of a magazine that you can just lay on top of a page to magnify? I saw one once a while back, but I don't know what exactly it is called.
  
  
  Bridget P

• Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Reading
• Posted: 2008-01-30 12:27:09 By Dave A
• You should also check with your local Lions Club to see if they have a Low Vision Center near you. They maybe able to provide you with some of the equipment that you need and with less of a hassle than the state or fed gov't.