Voting with a Visual Impairment

A hand putting a piece of paper in a ballot box

Voting. All Americans have the right to have their voices heard.  With election season around the corner, we want to highlight a few ways for individuals who are blind or visually impaired to cast their ballots. Before we talk about the options available to you, it is important to highlight several laws that ensure individuals…

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A Mobility Puzzle: I’m not lost, am I?

A visually impaired man using a white cane with a sighted guide behind him.

Submitted by Mitchel Hansen, Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist All travelers need to know where they are and where they are going. This is called “orientation.” Everyone routinely uses one or more basic methods to set up and define relationships between themselves and the objects or space around them, in order to keep track of…

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The Faces Behind PPE: Utica Workers Prepare Packages for State

A material handler putting gloves into a box.

Dennis Webster is one of the people overseeing Central Industries’ operations, and it’s something he has a passion for. His grandfather was blind, and received help from the organization leading the business. “My father always says, ‘Your grandfather would be so proud,’ ” said Webster, the Senior Vice President of Manufacturing and Public & Government Affairs.…

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Make Your Cane Your Own

Several visually impaired people walking around using white canes.

What is white with a touch of red, and is a basic Mobility tool allowing great independence for blind travelers? Yes, it is the “long cane.” Its white color is exactly the feature that makes it effective during outdoor travel. People understand what it means, and that fact can lead to increased safety for cane…

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What is Tactile Paving?

A visually impaired man and women using their white canes to track the path of tactile paving.

When you walk, you probably notice a series of small yellow domes in a grid pattern on sidewalks. While these may seem like an aesthetic choice, they are there to help those living with a visual impairment safely navigate their surroundings. What is Tactile Paving? These patterns are called tactile paving (also known as ground…

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Protecting Children’s Vision While Learning Virtually

A desktop that shows several kids participating in the camp in a box program.

Digital eye strain was an issue before COVID-19, but now it’s becoming a bigger one, with some kids spending more time on their devices and learning virtually. Dr. Allen Zuck, a low vision specialist for the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, or CABVI, says increased screen time due to remote learning can…

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Turnbull TV #42 – USA Blind Hockey Team

A preview of the video with Dylan on the left, Tim in the middle, and Kevin on the right. The background image is a picture of the USA Blind Hockey team. The text says Turnbull TV #42, USA Blind Hockey.

We are super excited about this week’s episode! From three different states, we sit down with two members of the USA Blind Hockey team as well as Dylan Drexler from Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired – CABVI (CABVI). Last week would have been the third year for training camp for team USA…

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What Are The Different Types of White Canes?

A visually impaired man using a white cane to cross the street. A sighted guide is walking next to the visually impaired man.

The white cane. A tool that many who are blind or visually impaired rely on to navigate their surroundings. While at first glance, these canes might look the same. However, they are many variations on the simple white cane that allows users to safely navigate the world around them. Here are some of the different…

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Reading Books with Visual Impairments

A woman reading a tablet.

Books can transport you to new worlds, help you learn about new topics, and expand your way of thinking. Vision loss can make experiencing those stories a struggle. However, adaptive technology makes it possible to enjoy your favorite stories. Here are a few ways to read books with a visual impairment: Using Magnifiers and Screen…

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Last of Us II and Accessibility in Video Games

A screenshot of the video game "The Last of Us Part 2". Ellie, the main character, is riding a horse into a abandoned city.

Video games are a great way to transport players to new worlds and tell new stories. However, video games are a very visual medium, while also needing fast reflexes, good hearing, and great vision to be able to play. These can make it hard for those who are blind or visually impaired to interact with…

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