New technology has created life-changing opportunities for the lives of the visually impaired.
But there is both a lack of awareness about these phone app-driven initiatives or a lack of financial means to afford a smartphone that drives access to them for some.
Craig Faris, the CNIB program lead for technology, is doing his part to change the awareness factor.
He was in Kelowna for two workshops last week, attended by about 20 people, and will do more across the province in the months ahead.
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91裸聊视频淥ur mandate is to bring this new technology to where people live, work and play all over the province,91裸聊视频� Faris said.
91裸聊视频淭here are those with the means who are not aware of these programs, and others who don91裸聊视频檛 have the means to get a smartphone. It is a bit of a double-edged sword.91裸聊视频�
CNIB is stepping up its efforts through fundraising and sponsorship initiatives to help address the financial limitation factor for those who don91裸聊视频檛 have smartphones.
A recent survey showed that 46 per cent of blind Canadians don91裸聊视频檛 own a smartphone,
91裸聊视频淭hat means many visually impaired people are living within a means that doesn91裸聊视频檛 make it affordable for them to own a smartphone and have access to these new phone apps that can mean a such a difference in their lives,91裸聊视频� said Marni Adams, who works out of the CNIB office in Kelowna as philanthropy co-ordinator for the CNIB91裸聊视频檚 western region.
For Faris, he finds great personal satisfaction in sharing his technological knowledge with others that can profoundly improve their lives.
91裸聊视频淭he degree of independence it gives to a person91裸聊视频檚 life who is blind is life-changing,91裸聊视频� he said.
91裸聊视频淣ow there are few things a blind person can91裸聊视频檛 do that someone with normal vision can. It is just learning a different way to do those things.91裸聊视频�
Some of the high-tech initiatives offered through phone apps, he said, include reading labels on grocery store items, navigating directions when traveling and voice repeat of written words that otherwise would require braille assistance.
In many cases, the apps provide a verbal message or indicator for what a blind person can91裸聊视频檛 see.
91裸聊视频淵ou can get to know one product from another time, but if you want to open a can of pears to eat and actually open up a can of mushrooms91裸聊视频hat can be disappointing.91裸聊视频�
Faris has been blind since birth. His mother was blind and three of the six siblings in the family are blind.
91裸聊视频淚 remember as a kid when other kids were talking about a book they read, I couldn91裸聊视频檛 participate because I had to wait two months for the braille version to come out. And when it did, my friends had already moved on to talking about the next book. I was always behind,91裸聊视频� he recalled.
He had overcome that adversity to start up several businesses and volunteer for various organizations. He currently lives on a boat in Vancouver.
He said his mother91裸聊视频檚 blindness was a big advantage because she wouldn91裸聊视频檛 settle for her son giving up on anything he wanted to do in life because of his sight impairment.
91裸聊视频淪he wouldn91裸聊视频檛 let us get away with anything. She believed the blind can do anything a sighted person can do, it just might take a little more work or effort to do. In the long run, that is the parenting style that works,91裸聊视频� he said.
91裸聊视频淚t sounds odd to say, but if you lose your vision today, there has never been a better time for that to happen because there is so much available through technology to help you lead an independent life.91裸聊视频�
For more information about how app technology developments can improve the personal freedoms for those who are blind, contact your local CNIB office.
The Kelowna CNIB office is located at 101-1456 St Paul St. Call 250-763-1191.
To report a typo, email: edit@kelownacapnews.com.
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barry.gerding@blackpress.ca
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