livewire low vision issue 36 summer 2015 - quantum rlv€¦ · web view2019-02-12 · quantum...

LiveWire Low Vision Issue 36 Summer 2015

1 Choice is no choice2 choices is a dilemma3 choices is freedom

ISSUE 36 │SUMMER 2015

Highlights

How to choose an optical magnifier……………………………..2

RealSAM………….……………….....3

The ClearView revolution.....4,5

Buying Guide …….…………………6

New Low Vision Service ……….8

Ask us about new portable options like the Compact Touch HD

Want a trial in your home? No problem!

Contact us

NSW 02 9479 3100

VIC 03 9545 4100

QLD 07 3831 4894

[email protected]

quantumrlv.com.au

What are your choices?

QUANTUM LIVEWIRE LOW VISION │ SUMMER 2015

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Welcome to the Summer 2015 edition of the LiveWire Low Vision newsletter. In this edition we are going to be talking about choices.

As usual we bring you the very latest news on Low Vision aids from around the world. This reflects our policy of providing the widest possible choice to our clients, and to not being aligned to a single manufacturer. Our goal is to ensure you can choose from the very best options whenever or wherever they appear.

However with all this choice how do people decide which vision aid will best meet their needs? Where do I start? Which device is best for me? What is the best value?

Several guides are included in this edition to help answer these questions, however don’t forget that your best option is to call us and speak to one of our qualified Low Vision Consultants. After 30 years in the business you will find we probably already have the answers!

And thanks to all for your feedback and support!

How to choose an optical magnifier

Optical Magnifiers

Advantages:

· Very lightweight

· Portable – in handbag or pocket

· Simple technology

· Familiar to older people

· Reasonably cheap

Disadvantages:

· Not very strong magnification; 3x - 12x

· Field of view decreases as magnification increases, meaning fewer words can be seen at higher magnification

· At higher magnification the magnifier and object need to be held close to the face. Not easy for some people.

· Curving and distortion at edges

· Poor contrast

· High glare

Electronic Magnifiers – Hand Held

Advantages:

· Variable magnification levels

· Increased field of view

· No distortion

· Range of display options to reduce glare or increase contrast

Disadvantages

· More expensive


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However, the most important thing you need to do is try them out. Everybody is unique and what suits your friend or neighbour will not necessarily suit you.

Here is a simulation of reading a newspaper using an optical magnifier and an electronic magnifier.

The original

Viewed with a 3X optical magnifier

Viewed with an electronic magnifier at 3X

New Aussie Invention brings you talking newspapers and much more!

RealSAM is a handheld talking device that will read your newspapers, books, podcasts of your favourite shows, and even tell you the weather, the time, or your location. It is incredibly simple to use and will amaze many people.

Why will it amaze?

Because to get RealSAM to work for you, all you have to do is talk to it; you just speak in your normal voice and ask for what you want. For example, you can say “read me the ABC news” and RealSAM will read out the latest headlines and stories from the ABC. RealSAM can read to you while lying in bed, walking in the park, on the train, or anywhere you wish.

There is only one button and no computer involved, and you can use it anywhere in Australia that is covered by the Optus network. RealSAM grabs articles from the ABC News feed every five minutes, so you can stay on top of the latest stories as they happen.


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Using RealSAM you can access a wide range of newspapers provided by the Vision Australia Library such as The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, Financial Review, The Australian, The Courier Mail, The Herald Sun, and The Advertiser. You need to be a member of the Vision Australia Library service in order to access their newspaper content (it’s free to join!).

In addition, RealSAM can access on-line book libraries like Project Gutenberg (30,000 books) and Bookshare (150,000 books). RealSAM will go to these libraries and find the books that you ask for, store them, and read them back to you whenever and wherever you want.

RealSAM can also tell you the time, date and the weather forecast for your current location, or any city around the world. You can also ask about your current location. Just ask, “Where am I?”, and RealSAM responds with a street address and the nearest cross street. Then you can say, "What's around here?" for RealSAM to tell you about the points of interest nearby.

RealSAM allows you to listen to a huge range of radio program podcasts from around the world. New features are being added all the time, and RealSAM will automatically update itself without you having to do a thing.

RealSAM is specifically designed for people who are blind, have low vision or a print disability. It is incredibly easy to use and only costs $439 plus a small monthly subscription (cheaper than buying the paper each day!)

The start of a revolution: The C series magnifiers from Optelec

Regular readers of LiveWire Low Vision will know that there are new products regularly arriving, all with significant improvements and new features. However, rarely do we describe them as being revolutionary.

With the arrival of the new C series of ClearView magnifiers from Optelec, we are happy to use the word revolutionary to describe them.

The ClearView C, like all good design, is deceptively simple. The stand that holds the camera and screen is shaped like a ‘C’ and sits to the side of the screen. This small design change has huge implications.

Firstly, there is nothing at the back, meaning you can read long documents from the top of the page to the bottom. One of the most common uses of video magnifiers is to read the newspaper, and now you can do that without being an origami expert! Even for regular A4 documents you no longer have to pull the


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reading table into your stomach when you navigate to the top of the document. This is unique among desktop video magnifiers.

Secondly, the ClearView’s C-shaped design provides you with much more working space underneath the camera. This really helps people who want to continue to do their hobbies, like knitting, embroidery, stamp collecting and a host of other activities that need desk space.

All of the ClearView C series have a simple control panel that is detachable (perfect to get it out of the way when reading a broadsheet newspaper). It can be used in simple mode, for the “one-button” simplicity that has made Optelec famous, and which many non-technical users prefer.

The ClearView C series: Leading features at lower prices

Or it can be easily lifted and flipped around to use in an advanced mode, where a wide range of controls are available.

For example, if you have your ClearView C connected to a computer there is a single button switch in the advanced mode to change the display between your computer or your magnified screen.

Other features for the advanced user include guidelines to assist with reading, and the ability to change the brightness, colour and contrast settings. These controls are safely out of sight and out of mind for the average user.

The ClearView C series starts with a standard 22” screen, and there is an optional 24” widescreen, which has the sharpest image of any video magnifier on the market. Both screens are adjustable up and down and can tilt forward or back to ensure optimal viewing.

We have saved the best news till last! Starting at just $3735 the ClearView C series represents the best value video magnifiers on the market today. Your choice has just become a whole lot easier!


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The ClearView C Speech!

For several years now we have had video magnifiers that also read text out to you. However, there has been a huge difference in how well different models work or how easy they are to operate. Optelec have always had a goal of making solutions that are easy to use, and they achieved that with the ClearView Speech.

They have now up-dated this model to the new ClearView C format. The new ClearView C Speech can instantly convert any printed text into speech. It makes it possible to have access to information in a way that is most comfortable and easy for your individual needs. Especially when you have long texts to read; now you can choose to have them read out to you.

To scroll through documents, swipe with your finger on the touch screen and select the text of your interest by simply pointing at a paragraph or word. It is that easy.

The ClearView C Speech displays full pages and automatically identifies the document layout. This ensures that you can navigate quickly; you always know where you are and never lose your place.


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Choosing the right electronic magnifier!

No single solution.

When looking at magnification options always keep in mind the range of activities that you struggle with because of Low Vision. Most people will need at least a couple of different devices to cover all their needs. People typically start with the optical magnifier from the discount store or Post Office. Usually having only low magnification, they can be useful for “spot” reading; looking at labels for example. Often they are less useful for extended reading or reading in poor lighting. It’s at this point that people start exploring other options.

Handheld or Desktop?

Across Quantum we get to meet thousands of people with Low Vision each year. Initially most people tell us they think a small handheld device would be better, and they are “not ready” for larger desktop magnifiers. However, for the vast majority of people, especially those with Macular Degeneration a desktop magnifier is always going to be better value. This is due to 2 main reasons.


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· A larger screen means more words are magnified; you will be able to read more easily and faster.

· They are much more suitable for the range of day-to-day activities involved in independent living. The thousand little things you need your eyes for each and every day. It’s not just about reading books.

Most people with a Desktop magnifier will also have at least one handheld magnifier.

What Size Screen?

There are no hard and fast rules and each person needs to trial different screen sizes to find what works best. However, there are some general principles that can be considered. When a person has central vision loss, such as with Macular Degeneration, a larger screen (22” or 24”) is nearly always beneficial, as they can see more using their peripheral or ‘side’ vision. Conversely people with peripheral vision loss, such as with Glaucoma, are unlikely to benefit from a larger screen, and smaller screens (15” or 19”) will help reduce the amount of head movement as they scan from side to side. There are also considerations around your living space; how much room do you have, is there a stable table available, do you need to use it in multiple rooms?

How Easy is it to Use?

Today there are so many options available you can choose the level of sophistication that best meets your needs. Some people prefer a single “one-button” approach so there is less to remember and less that can go wrong. Others who may be more comfortable with technology prefer more control over the operation of the device and are happy to use multiple buttons, or touch screens and gestures. The user interface is one of the most important aspects of any Low Vision aid and it is crucial to match the device to the person; there is no “one size fits all”.

All of these options are best considered in consultation with an expert. And make sure you try in your own home before you buy. Give us a call to find out how!


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Introducing a desktop magnifier that doesn’t look like a magnifier!

The Optelec ClearView C Flex is an exciting new option for magnification, especially in the workplace or for people that have limited desk space at home.

It helps you to keep your desk free and uncluttered yet still enjoy the support of a leading edge video magnifier. The ClearView C Flex enables you to read documents, do your hobbies or work with your PC.

The ClearView C Flex looks like any other PC monitor and will perfectly blend in with any office environment. Nobody will notice that it is a desktop video magnifier.

The ClearView C Flex takes up less space on your desk, so you have more working space than with traditional desktop video magnifiers. This allows you to read and work more comfortably.


Utilising the flexible arm, you can easily put the ClearView C Flex in the position you prefer. Pull it towards you to read your mail or newspaper, or position the monitor further away when you don’t need it.

A simple battery powered control panel can be moved around the desk into any position you want or stowed safely out of the way on the base of the monitor stand.

You can choose from different screen sizes (22” or 24”) and there is also an optional document table to make viewing easier. And finally there is also a Talking version that can read out your documents to you!

A world of choices! Call us today for a demonstration or further information.

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New Low Vision Service

New German Compact Magnifier

The Mezzo Desktop magnifier has been around for a few years and has proven to be very popular because of its small size and light weight.

Reinecker (Germany) the manufacturer of Mezzo has just announced a new up-dated version of Mezzo, that will also appeal to anyone with limited desk space. Known as the Mezzo Vario it has a 19” screen and a new anti-glare lighting system. With a magnification range from 1x to 100x in full high definition picture quality, even small characters will be displayed in pin sharp picture quality with no light reflections. Also high glossy papers, magazines and three dimensional objects can be viewed clearly. When writing or doing cross words, neither shadows nor reflections reduce the reading experience.

Orthoptist Christina Tedesco (right) with client Lestor Jones

As with older versions of Mezzo, the new Mezzo Vario retains its small footprint making it ideal where living space is limited. At 6.3kgs it is still movable from room to room and can be folded down for storage or transportation.

The new 19” screen is larger but can still rotate 90 degrees, allowing for columns in a newspaper to be displayed comfortably.


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Low vision services are now available at the Sydney CBD office of Macular Disease Foundation Australia

A free low vision advisory service is now available at the Sydney CBD office of Macular Disease Foundation Australia.

The service has been initiated in collaboration with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, and involves an orthoptist working closely with clients experiencing low vision. The service aims to address functional needs such as reading, cooking, personal care, moving safely in and outside the house, and accessing community services or subsidies.

After individual needs are discussed, the orthoptist will determine which aids and technologies are best suited for particular activities. This can include equipment such as magnifiers (optical or electronic), task lighting, daily living aids, and other low vision technologies. Clients may trial the various devices during their consultation. If required, the Foundation will help arrange the purchase of any recommended aids and equipment.

This service currently operates one day per week on a Wednesday and appointments are required by calling the Foundation on 1800 111 709.

livewire low vision issue 36 summer 2015 - quantum rlv€¦ · web view2019-02-12 · quantum...

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