Wednesday, 25 February 2026 at 11 am via Zoom
Question 1. What are Easy fruit and vegetables to grow when you can’t see?
Answer and Recommendation’s: Red Alert is a really easy tomato to grow from seed. Because the seeds are tiny, it’s a good idea to pour them into a small porcelain dish before planting them into pots filled with compost on a sunny windowsill. Alternatively and if you have the option, they can be planted outside against a south facing wall. A spoon is a useful tool when dealing with seeds and small pots. The Royal horticultural Society (RHS) has more information about growing Red Alert on its website https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/293949/solanum-lycopersicum-red-alert/details
Seeds are available from various online retailers.
Bell peppers are another vegetable that can be started on a windowsill from seed and again, the RHS has a growing Guide here https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/peppers/grow-your-own
Thrive is a gardening charity aimed at people living with disabilities, more information can be found on their (somewhat clunky to use) website including suggestions of what to grow on windowsills : https://www.thrive.org.uk/get-gardening/growing-microgreens
question 2. I am considering moving from an android mobile to an iPhone but I’m not sure where to start. This will be my first time buying an iPhone?
Recommendations: Visit an Apple Store if possible or any mobile phone shop to get an idea of the size of the phone you might be interested in.
Apple launched the first iPhone in 2006 and the higher the number, the newer the model. Find your nearest iPhone store and more by visiting: https://www.apple.com/uk/retail/
Every Apple Store has a dedicated team located at their “Genius Bar”. It is usually best to book in advance but if a technician is free, they are there to help with training and any of your iPhone queries.
Alternatively, you can call your service provider to discuss phone options, plans and to talk about SIM only deals.
Secondhand and refurbished phones can be bought at various High Street shops and online retailers including Back Market https://www.backmarket.co.uk/en-gb
Shop around, there are lots of mobile phone providers if you’re not happy with what you’re being offered. Money Supermarket has a list to get you started: https://www.moneysupermarket.com/mobile-phones/networks/
Decide what you want your iPhone to do, would you like one that is small enough to fit in your pocket or is a camera important? A larger screen may be better if you have more useful Vision.
Eye Matter offers VoiceOver training for iPhone for those unable to use magnification.
Question 3. Does anyone use the We Walk cane?
Answer and recommendations: at present, the We Walk is not effective in a busy city such as London as it tries to process too much information. The wee walk is on its second version which attempts to iron out some of its initial issues. More information about the device can be found at the following link: https://wewalk.io/en/
Most felt that it was far better to get proper long cane training through your local council and their Vision rehabilitation specialists (VRS) formally known as Rehabilitation Officers Visual Impairment (ROVI). These roles sit within the Sensory Impairment Teams.It is often necessary to be persistent to get the training that, as a visually impaired person, you are entitled to.
Using apps such as Soundscape with headphones such as bone conductors that allow you to hear what’s going on around you are a great way to continue to build on your mobility and independence. NB an app light Soundscape can be used in conjunction with walking directions from another app such as Google Maps, Apple maps etc.
There are lots of other apps that can also enhance your mobility e.g. Bus Times (London).
question 4. I am repeatedly having problems with the RNIB reading service. I have deleted the dolphin Easy reader app and reinstalled it but I’m still continuing to have problems.
Recommendations: There are hiccups with the Easy Reader app, the only solution is to keep pushing and reporting the problems to RNIB in a bid to get them to improve the service. For more information and frequently ask questions, please visit https://readingservices.rnib.org.uk/
Another option is the charity Calibre audiobooks, but they also use the dolphin easy reader app. https://my.calibre.org.uk/
Another great option to source free audiobooks is through your local library. There is also an app that can be downloaded to make this process simpler and so that you don’t need to visit your library every time You would like to get a new book. To download the “Libby” app, please visit https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/libby-the-library-app/id1076402606
Question five. How do I change my password on my BBC iPlayer account?
Recommendations: the BBC has the following information on their website “How do I change my password?
1. First, make sure you’re signed in to your BBC account.
2. Then, on any BBC website, click the “Your account” icon at the top of the page. (If you’ve got a display name, it’ll show your display name, not “Your account”). It’s in the navigation bar, near your web browser’s address bar.
3. Choose “Settings” and you’ll be taken to your personal details.
4. On the “Personal details” screen, click “Edit” next to your password and enter a new one. You’ll need to enter your current password so we know it’s you.
5. Then click “Save and continue”.
6. Remember to use your new password the next time you sign in to the BBC.
Can’t remember your current password?
You’ll have to reset it. Find out how in “I’m having problems with my password”.
Sorry, but you can’t reset your password if you’ve forgotten it. Instead you’ll need to register for a new BBC account.”
Question 6. How do I change my ChatGPT password?
Recommendations: You can always ask ChatGPT how to or chatGPT has the following information on its website, “To change your ChatGPT password, log out of your account, go to the login page, enter your email, and select “Forgot password?” to receive a reset link via email. Alternatively, if logged in, navigate to Settings > Account to update it. Note that this will update the password across your entire OpenAI account.”
Any other recommendations: My ROVI suggested getting a cane light to help with balance and feeling grounded when it’s darker. The RNIB supplies the following model which appears to be cheaper than other sellers online. NB Please call the RNIB if it is easier to place an order