Newly Blind Person

iPhone

independence

family

friends

God

tasks that allow alone time

traveling by myself

diversity

helping others

money

Netflix

happiness

joyfulness

Integrity

Growth

Challenge

Learning

Freedom

Innovation

Assistive technology

Safety

Ability to participate

Purpose

I'm never reminded that I can't see

I can drive at my own time of day (when public transportation is closed.)

My clothes always match.

People are not subject to cultural segregation. Acceptance. No color barriers.

People can help each other out without expectations of compensation.

I can get computer tech help 24/7/365

I can be a gamer again

I can cross the street without being afraid

Don't have to worry about written text - it reads to me.

I can write a note that someone else can read.

People understand that blindness is a gift, not a hindrance.

Everyone can participate equally.
Everyone is safe
Everyone has opportunity
Everyone reaches their potential
Everyone has perfect vision

All people are accepted

I could see my son.

My family and friends don't worry about me.

I can travel easily to wherever I want to go. No borders, safe and easy transportation. Transportation is not a problem.

Healthcare is not a political issue.

Blind people have Google cars.
Blind people can fly.

We could all communicate and understand the same language.

Technology is more advanced

When there is a way for me to get around without my cane, hands free so I can use my hands for something else.

a job

better transportation options

to live my calling. To empower children to build integrated societies

Access to written text, street signs, etc.

Talking ovens, microwaves and other appliances

Tech made easy. Too many steps and keyboard commands, where sighted people just mouse. Better voice command recognition, like Star Trek.

Buses that notify me as they approach so that I can flag them down, rather than having them drive by. Or, send notification to the next bus coming so the driver receives an alert to stop.

An advocate to eye doctors who will QUICKLY refer me to Low Vision and other resources early in my journey

A multi-tool app for mobile devices; include color identifiers, magnification (CCTV style), QR code readers, etc.

Indoor navigation solutions (iBeacon implementations or other similar solutions).

Personal information manager. One stop form for including all my personal information that is required by most online forms, such as: name, phone numbers, emails, address, billing info, etc. (Similar to LastPass, OnePass and other password managers, but expanded to include broader range of information).

Walker for the elderly that can detect obstacles by utilizing some sort of infrared/laser sensors, strategically located to cover a good range including curbs and drop-offs.

Accessible signage (QR code for street signs)

Accessible gaming

When something is coming at me, and when it is safe.
Know when an electric car or bike is coming.
A cane that beeps when a car is coming

What is on the...
grocery shelf, pantry shelf

Leaf blowers to be quiet! I can't hear to cross the street!

More skills to use the iPhone and computers

Drivers to understand what the white cane means and to respect the law and stop!

A cane that has GPS to tell me where I am, where the bus stop, curb, stairs, center of the crosswalk is

Go to the lightrail station at R and 29th to see how difficult it is to hear the street traffic.

We've heard that many will not use their white cane because they don't want to "stick out". You get to the point in yuour blindness where yuou are willing to wear, use, some things that are not fashionable if they are helpful enough.

Skills are the most important, then tools and technology compliment your skills. Tools and technology should never be used to REPLACE your skills.

The toughest thing about being blind is not the fact that you can't see, but rather society's biases against you....like you have a disease that is catching, or you are an embarrassment.

Solutions must be ADOPTED by users or they fail

Spectrums of teh community: Philosophic - NFB - teaches independence, while AFB - more dependence and likes solutions

Trust in aids and tools

Braille Literacy is a BIG Problem!
Of the 25% of working blind, 90% read Braille
Only 10 % of all working age blind read/write Braille

BIAS - Adaptive equipment should NOT take away from my skills.
I have a fear of reliance on technology that can fail.

BIAS - The Optometrist or Ophthalmologist had a fear of failure that they couldn't help me, so they were hesitant to refer me to the S4TB. My husband and I went into the Ophthalmologist's office and the other patients in the waiting room looked at us like our blindness was a surgical mistake made by the MD.