Better Vision for People with Low Vision

Jan-Feb-Mar 2000
Chicago resident, Steve Kahn, gave us two terrific ideas for this issue of Ten Dollar Tech.

 Idea # 1 

Steve wanted a monocular to help him see a wide area, like an entire room from a doorway. (A monocular looks like 2 of a binocular.) After pricing them (costs vary from $40.00 to $150.00) he wanted to see if he could find a lower cost alternative. To get ideas, he cruised the aisles of his local hardware store.

It didn't take long. He found a simple door viewer. (The viewer that lets you see who is on the other side.) It not only magnified, but the convex lens gave him a wide view of the whole room.

Grand total cost: less then $5.00.

While this may not be the answer for everyone, it certainly would be a cheaper alternative for many. Before using any, check with your doctor to be sure it will not damage your eyes.

 Idea #2 

Steve walks his dog after dusk and in early morning. He needed better light to do the "cleanup" work that comes with dog walking. A flashlight was cumbersome because it left him with only one hand to do the dirty work. Again, he decided to see what alternatives might work.

He found a headlamp worked quite well for him. He bought a Spelunker's Light. Headlamps cost between $20.00 and $300.00, however most are in the $25.00 to $60.00 range. You can find lights like this at outdoor accessory, or rescue equipment stores.

Two online sources are: http://www.caves.org/imo/  and

http://svis.org/msc/karst.htm 

This light could be a versatile tool for anyone who uses a wheelchair or scooter, has fine motor issues or weakness in their hands or has low vision.

 Variation 

Find an elastic headband that has straps to hold a flashlight for hands-free activity. Jackstrap is one well-known brand name. They cost from $5.00-10.00. You can use your own flashlight. Also available at outdoor accessory or rescue equipment stores.

Great ideas, Steve! Thanks for shedding some "light" on them.

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July-August-September 2000

Connect Four Communication Device

Ed note: Sherry Edwards, Director of IATP's Information and Assistance Program submitted this nifty Ten Dollar Tech Idea.

While watching my grandchildren play the Milton Bradley game, Connect Four, it struck me how easily this game could be used as a communication or teaching board. 
The game's vertical frame lets players drop black or red disks into rows.  The object is to get four of one color disks in a row, horizontally, vertically or diagonally before your opponent.  
To adapt it as a communication device just glue pictures or letters to both sides of the checkers and drop them into the frame.  Just that easily, you've made a communication board.
It can also be used as an educational tool by gluing shapes, pictures or other identification symbols to the checker and having a student or child line the pictures up into the various categories.  For instance, different kinds of fruit, vegetables, animals, or textures, etc.  The possibilities are nearly endless.  You can configure it to suit each student's need.  If you need more disks, pick them up at the local toy store.
Try it, have fun, and learn right along with the student as you use your imagination and ingenuity.   Approximate cost: $15.00.

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Moisture Guards for ANYTHING

Oct-Nov-Dec 2000

We're not sure where this idea comes from.  For five years the training staff has used this idea in workshops.  If we knew the source, we'd be happy to give the credit.

Everything is becoming electronic.  Simple old mechanical clocks have become digitized, miniaturized, and complicated.  And, so is everything else.  Once it was no big deal if technology got a little moisture on it . . . set it in the sun and it was good as new in no time . . .   No more.  Even high humidity has an effect on new technology.

Here is a simple and effective way to keep technology from being affected by moisture from spills, drooling or other hazards.  And you can do it without breaking the bank.

It's called shrink wrap.  You can find it at any hardware store camouflaged as plastic window insulation.  Cost:  About $7.00 for a kit that will cover three windows.

 Materials List 

• Scissors
• Blow-Dryer
• Shrink-Fit Window Insulation Kit (make sure it's Shrink-Fit)

 Directions 

1. Buy a shrink-fit window insulation kit.
2. Cut the plastic about 1.5-2 times larger than the object.  
3. Wrap it up like a sandwich you'd pack for lunch.  
4. Heat plastic with blow dryer -- It will shrink snugly.  

Use it to protect remote controls, keyboards, switches, etc.

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