Computers in Kent is proud to support the Macular Society.
Why the Macular Society is needed.
Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of irreversible blindness and visual impairment in the western world.
As life expectancy increases more people become victim of some form of age-related macular degeneration. The condition is irreversible resulting in severe visual impairment. Sufferers lose the sharp, fine-detail, “straight ahead” vision required for activities like reading, driving, recognizing faces, and seeing the world in colour. This has a huge effect on their lives and the lives of those around them affecting everything from simple issues such as choosing clothing, making meals, tuning radios to very serious affects such as having to give up work, stop driving and not being able to recognise the faces of callers and family members.
The Macular Society supports people actively by educating and informing together with teaching the use of the many aids that are available. Local groups exist in many towns and welcome new members. They are well worth attending as their knowledge of the condition, the treatments, aid and support available is second to none, often exceeding that given by clinicians. They are able to provide practical solutions from the experience of suffers who have found ways to cope. In addition to direct contact with sufferers the society maintains links with health authorities and the UK government to promote the need for resources and to encourage the spread of good practice throughout the macular community.
Computers in Kent is proud to support the Macular Society.
For some years now, my mother has been suffering more and more from this devastating condition. The Macular Society have provided invaluable help. Working with her local authority a number of essential items to allow her to live as normal a life as possible have been provided. Simple things so she knows when dial switches are off on the cooker for example and more technical items to help in the reading of letters and other mail have been provided. Not all local authorities are the same though so check first with your local Macular group to see what the position is.
I help the society as a volunteer demonstrating both the low-tech and hi-tech aids. It is quite surprising just how much help computer tablets and smartphones can be to people with low-vision. Both Android and Apple equipment comes with built in visual aid technology and many devices are now available with dedicated operating software to assist. These can help with loss of vision up to total blindness.
The specialist computer aids are often very expensive. This seems to be the case with items for many disability needs. I assume it is largely a factor of market forces. If you can help in bringing the cost of this equipment down then please let me know. For example, it must be possible to develop a product that can use a regular low-cost computer table as a reader for a book or magazine.
If you would like to know more or wish to attend one of the groups you may contact me here. Contact Computers in Kent. To contact the macular society directly click here.
