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Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative

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Vol. 9 No. 3 Summer 2001

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Ask the AT Specialist: Maintaining Independence in Spite of Visual Limitations

by Mike Meyreles, ATP

One request I frequently hear is: “Is there any type of device available to help me read?” Many times, this question is posed by someone with macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration is the physical disturbance of the center of the retina called the macula. The macula, which is about the size of the capital letter “O” in this sentence, is the part of the retina which is capable of our most acute and detailed vision. We use the macula for reading, driving, recognizing faces, watching television, and fine work. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of legal blindness in people over age 55. (Legal blindness means that a person can see 20/200 or less with eyeglasses.) Even with a loss of central vision, however, color vision and peripheral vision may remain clear. Vision loss usually occurs gradually and typically affects both eyes at different rates. (From the website Your Eyes and You, www.eri.harvard.edu/htmlfiles/youreyes.html)

The following article is about one such call and the process that took place to help give some residents of Luther Towers the ability to read again.

by Dee Oldham, Manager, Luther Towers I


Managing a retirement facility makes one very aware of the many disabilities that may accompany the aging process. Loss of one’s eyesight is one of the most debilitating impairments. It affects an individual’s total quality of life.

Just imagine how difficult it would be if you could no longer read your mail, check your prescription, balance your checkbook, or write a check! When vision becomes impaired, obstacles seem insurmountable. Your independence goes out the window, and you become very dependent on others’ help.

Knowing all this, my interest was really aroused when an article appeared in the News Journal on December 1, 2000 touting a magnification system purchased by the South Coastal Library in Bethany Beach. My first instinct was to show the article to a particular resident at Luther Towers. Ruth is one of our most active and involved seniors who just happen to have macular degeneration.

Ruth had done everything she could to be as independent as possible. She continued her active lifestyle by using a magnifier to read word for word. She had been fitted with magnifying eyeglasses to aid her vision when trying to read small print. In addition, she had been evaluated by the Division for the Visually Impaired and kept up with books and newspapers with their audio tape service. Although Ruth remained active and in good spirits, she realized that in order to maintain her present living style, more sophisticated equipment was needed. Ruth was excited when she heard what a magnification system, otherwise known as a CCTV, could do for her. She presented the suggestion of purchasing a CCTV for resident use to our Executive Director, Rolf Eriksen, who encouraged further research.
After researching some assistive reading devices on the net, I called DATI and was referred to Mike Meyreles, Rehab Engineer, at the New Castle County Assistive Technology Resource Center. Our organization is familiar with DATI since we are on the mailing list and receive The AT Messenger. Mike arranged a meeting with Ruth and me to demonstrate some assistive devices available for people with visual limitations.

What an “eye opening” experience the demonstration was! Mike presented us with options ranging from simple, non-electronic visual guides, such as lined paper to aid writing to electronic equipment, such as a CCTV system and computer software. He demonstrated a the CCTV system, which was a hand-held magnifier connected to a TV screen.When Mike left that day, Ruth was bubbling with excitement as she thought about the possibility of Luther Towers purchasing a CCTV for residents’ use. With a population of 370 elderly residents in both our buildings, Ruth and I knew there was a need for such a device.

After considering all the information that Mike presented, I approached him about borrowing the demo CCTV. From the moment the equipment was set up in our facility, I knew there was no turning back—we needed to find a way to purchase a CCTV for the residents in both of our buildings. A steady stream of residents waited their turn to read books, enjoy personal letters and cards, balance checkbooks, read newsletters or read inspirational literature. Among this deluge of seniors lined up to use the CCTV was Ruth, who was organizing a 45-page hymnal for our weekly church service. Ruth had volunteered to do this very time-consuming task, which would have been almost impossible for her without the aid of the CCTV. What a selling point that was!

Once we knew the residents were receptive to this type of technology and the help that it could provide, funding was the issue. As a member of the Luther Tower Aides, a faith-based volunteer group at Luther Towers, Ruth could plead her case for purchasing a CCTV for our many residents with visual problems. Having a completed project like the hymnal only added emphasis to what a person with visual limitations could do with the right assistive equipment. After our Executive Director added his verbal endorsement to Ruth’s plea to the Aides, all that was needed was a written proposal recommending the particular brand and model.

This story does have a happy conclusion! Thanks to the Luther Tower Aides and their long-term commitment to the residents of Luther Towers, we now have two color CCTVs for residents’ use in both Luther Towers I and II. The equipment is set up in a relatively quiet area in each of the buildings so residents will be able to read private and personal correspondence. In addition, Ruth purchased a CCTV for herself. She is as excited as ever with her newfound independence.

Because of DATI and the help of Mike Meyreles, Luther Towers has been able to continue its goal of helping its residents maintain a good quality of life by providing services to support an independent-living style.

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