Blind Freedom
Breaking barriers of blindness to obtain freedom & independence
Mission Statement
This website is dedicated to:
-Sharing tips and techniques that WORK, for overcoming barriers of blindness to obtain freedom and independence-To share the experience of host Terry Hayes, who is blind and learning to cope-To connect with others challenging their blindness-To help inspire others, and gain inspiration-To help sighted people understand blindness and what is required to be independent, and how to help.
-Sharing tips and techniques that WORK, for overcoming barriers of blindness to obtain freedom and independence-To share the experience of host Terry Hayes, who is blind and learning to cope-To connect with others challenging their blindness-To help inspire others, and gain inspiration-To help sighted people understand blindness and what is required to be independent, and how to help.
What is blindness/low vision?
Typically, blindness, or low vision, occurs on a continuum. Some are totally blind, without any vision. This can be from birth, traumatic injury, or progressive disease. Most people with low vision ability have some sort of vision. This vision is not usually useful for detecting any visual detail, but can often serve as helpful guidance at a global level, with a little central vision, or a little peripheral vision.
Legal blindness is determined by a medical professional, based on measures of vision and levels of functioning. A person can be determined to be “legally” blind, when they can no longer accomplish visual tasks required for daily living. This might include reading, finding your way around, driving, cooking, and dependence on assistive technologies or devices.
Being determined to be Legally blind can make a person eligible for special services, often free or at a significant discount. The Mass Commission for the Blind offers free therapy for Orientation and Mobility, for Social Rehabilitation for work or home, and Technology services. The RIDE program through the MBTA offers transportation at reduced rates, within the regional area. The Mass. RMV offers special identification cards, and offers handicap placards as well for parking.
Most people with low vision use white longcanes for walking safely. This is a skill which has to be learned. There are GPS apps for walking which can be used with a longcane. Some people with low vision have a seeing eye dog. These animals are in great demand, and there are not enough. And these dogs are being employed for all sorts of therapeutic purposes these days.
Technology is developing daily to provide assistive devices and other ways to break the barriers of blindness. There is a blind engineer in Boston developing a new longcane with a tip enabled with lasers and cameras to help navigate independently.
Legal blindness is determined by a medical professional, based on measures of vision and levels of functioning. A person can be determined to be “legally” blind, when they can no longer accomplish visual tasks required for daily living. This might include reading, finding your way around, driving, cooking, and dependence on assistive technologies or devices.
Being determined to be Legally blind can make a person eligible for special services, often free or at a significant discount. The Mass Commission for the Blind offers free therapy for Orientation and Mobility, for Social Rehabilitation for work or home, and Technology services. The RIDE program through the MBTA offers transportation at reduced rates, within the regional area. The Mass. RMV offers special identification cards, and offers handicap placards as well for parking.
Most people with low vision use white longcanes for walking safely. This is a skill which has to be learned. There are GPS apps for walking which can be used with a longcane. Some people with low vision have a seeing eye dog. These animals are in great demand, and there are not enough. And these dogs are being employed for all sorts of therapeutic purposes these days.
Technology is developing daily to provide assistive devices and other ways to break the barriers of blindness. There is a blind engineer in Boston developing a new longcane with a tip enabled with lasers and cameras to help navigate independently.
New Facebook Page
Terry introduces his new Meta Ray-Bans
A message from Dr. Hayes about his low vision
Client information video from Dr. Hayes about his low vision
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Upcoming Event...
On wednesday, May 14, the Lion's Club of Weymouth wil host the author of Raining Robots: A boy and his dog. Jordan Hines is a resident of Weymouth and authored the book at age 11 with the help of his grandmother. Author Hines has pledged to donate some books to children in hospitals in Boston, through the Lion's Club.
Jordan Hines will present his book at the meeting of the Lion's Club at the Cathay Center, Bridge street, Weymouth at 6:30pm. All are welcome!
-Buy Raining Robots on Amazon