13 November 2024
Question one: how to invert a white web link on a white page so that it stands out?
Recommendations: if using iPhone use the rotor and select links. This will find every link on a document or Web page.
Also, visit Settings/Accesibility/display and text to ensure that your screen is optimised for your needs. Lots of options to enable high contrast, invert colours and more.
Question two: advice using bank apps please!
Recommendations: first direct has been a good experience for some members, including some HSBC branches which have talking cash machines. More information can be found here https://www.firstdirect.com/accessibility/visually-impaired/
alternatively, HSBC will support customers to use online banking, provide templates and more https://www.hsbc.co.uk/accessibility/visually-impaired/
Other banks including Barclays offer support including video banking https://www.barclays.co.uk/accessibility/sight/
Question three: occasionally experiencing problems with RNIB EasyReader help?
Recommendations: the EasyReader app is providers by Dolphin
https://yourdolphin.com/support/video?id=1563&transcript=1 service
If you are new to RNIB reading services please click here for more details https://readingservices.rnib.org.uk
Or call the RNIB helpline on 03031239999.
Question four: penfriend magnetic labels are very small and fiddly how are others managing?
Recommendations: always place the pen friend label in the same place so you know where to look for it e.g. always top right on a book. It might be helpful to put a bump on next to it as well.
RNIB PENfriend 3 audio labeller
Question five: international travel as a solo VIP?
Recommendations: Many countries have laws prohibiting discrimination against disabled travellers. There are companies such as travel eyes specifically set up to support VIP travel https://www.traveleyes-international.com/blind-travellers/.
If planning to travel in the USA, the following link has useful information https://aphconnectcenter.org/visionaware/living-with-blindness-or-low-vision/getting-around/transportation/traveling-on-trains-and-buses/
Theme parks in the US offer a comprehensive access schemes e.g. 6 flags and Magic Mountain https://www.sixflags.com/magicmountain/plan-your-visit/accessibility
RNIB has some useful information regarding holidaying as a VIP at this link: https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/community-connection-and-wellbeing/leisure/holidays/
Other recommendations:
Merlin ID is a free app that helps to recognise birds and their songs. it has recently been upgraded boosting its accuracy. It now identifies 6,900 different species.
Using Photo ID is easy: take a photo of a bird, tell the Merlin app when and where you saw it and the app will suggest what species are shown in the photo.
https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/photo-id/embed/#?secret=zV5ittpOtv#?secret=SmNhyLjrtm
The latest iOS 18.1 update is available for most people to use but the new AI features called “Apple Intelligence” are only on the
most recent iPhones and other newer devices e.g. the 15 Pro, 15 Pro, Max, and the 16 series for now
It has functions like being able to swipe down opening your control panel and on the very top right is a power button and when you tap on that it will open up a turn off my phone button so you no longer have to press the right button and the volume key to invoke the power down button, which also includes the emergency call Button/sometimes causes a problem if pushed thus calling emergency services
There are many many more features to play around with so if you are adventurous go and have a try! If you do have a 15 pro series and later the new recognition strain/4 finger triple tap will open a screen that has a people, text, furniture, door, Scene buttons, which you have to toggle on. Caution, make sure you turn this function off after using as it is a real drain on the battery! https://www.silicon.co.uk/ai/apple-ai-update-586166