Visually impaired shown helpful technology

A CHARITY for the visually impaired held a technology training session at Henley library.

Jamie Sargent and Andreas Findlow, from MyVision Oxfordshire, talked to visually impaired residents about the benefits of using technological aids to help with everyday tasks.

The pair, who are visually impaired themselves, demonstrated tools that can make tasks like shopping easier, such as Seeing AI, which reads food labels aloud when a phone camera is pointed at them.

Mr Sargent said the software was useful for reading smaller pieces of information such as sell-by dates and discount offers. He also showed the group how to navigate their phone using voiceover and how to build things like a shopping list using voice activated commands.

The group also tried using magnification software on iPads to read text.

The men also talked to the group about the Government’s Access to Work scheme that helps to equip people with disabilities with the necessary tools and technology to work.  

The Countess of Macclesfield, who is a patron of the charity, attended the session with Henley Mayor Sarah Miller. She said: “I would encourage anyone who is reluctant to learn about the new technology to go to the
MyVision centre in Oxford. The staff are so helpful and a lot are visually impaired themselves. I’ve been to see the equipment in action and the software available is just fantastic.”

Councillor Miller said: “I’ve learned a huge amount and have loved getting to meet everyone and getting to know the charity more.”

MyVision was formally known as the Oxfordshire Association for the Blind.

The Henley social group meets at the library in Ravenscroft Road on the last Tuesday of the month from 10.30am to noon.