Amanda Bergen: For those with some kind of vision impairment, simple tasks can be difficult if not impossible. Here at the non-profit Lighthouse International store in New York City, there are all kinds of hi-tech gadgets that can ease the burden of living with low vision. Let's sample a few.
This Desktop Magnifier gives you power to see little things. You put the material you want to look at, right here on this tray. These buttons on the front change the settings, you turn this style to magnify the image, and then you press this blue button for all sorts of different color, and contrast combinations.
This red light helps you find your place on the page called the Topaz Desktop Magnifier. It starts at just under $2000.
Affordable magnifier like this one can come in handy when you are on the go. Let's say you want to read the newspaper. You put it on the paper like this and it digitally magnifies the text and the images up to 14 times. You can even freeze-frame the image.
The magnifier comes with a large screen and it tilts up and down for easy viewing. It comes with a whole bunch of different size and color options. The Amigo retails for just under $1700.
Navigating websites is now easier, thanks to a cutting edge software program developed by Lighthouse International. Low browse allows you to see an entire webpage while magnifying the parts you want to read. You use a cursor to choose the words which then appear in a banner at the top of the screen. You can custom-set the size, style, contrast, even the spacings of the text and your settings will stay with you as you surf the web.
Software: "Welcome to lighthouse International."
Amanda Bergen: The software can also read the text allowed and magnify images. Best of all Low Browse is free; you can download it right from the Internet at no charge.
Software: "The time is 2:40 p.m."
Amanda Bergen: Talking products come in handy for the visually impaired. With the push of a button this watch will tell you the time, the day, and the date.
Software: "Thursday, September 25th."
Amanda Bergen: It comes with an alarm and an hourly chime. The Avalon watch sells for just under $43.
To find out more about these and other products, as well as the Lighthouse International store, visit our website at www.everwell.com.
Well, thanks to amazing inventions like these. People with low vision can remain independent and fully engaged with the world around them. I am Amanda Bergen with the Tech Check.
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