Article - Speak To Me

Tell Me What I Need To Know!

Some people just love a good gadget. Give them something that talks to them and their day is made! This gadget-loving group can be divided into two subgroups: People who simply enjoy unusual products that do unusual things and people whose lives can be made more independent by these products.

Some people who are blind or who have macular degeneration may have had the opportunity to learn Braille. However, there are many more people who have low vision or who are recently blind that have not learned to use Braille. They rely on products that make noise or talk to them to supply critical information that orients them to the world around them. Imagine, for example, trying to get through the day without knowing the time or trying to plan what clothes to wear when you can't read the outside thermometer.

There are a lot of gimmicky talking products on the market even including beer cans that sing to you. The staff at Dynamic Living has searched for talking products that provide useful information, are easy to use and have a voice that is easy to hear and understand.

Knowing the time is important for keeping a daily schedule:

• Talking clocks can often be set to report the time on the hour, like grandfather clocks. Most are quite small so they can sit on a table or desk and there usually is a button to press to hear the time when you need to.

• Talking watches are even more convenient. Somewhat larger than normal watches, talking watches have extra buttons that provide the talking functionality. Many come with an alarm that can be set to remind you of appointments or medications to be taken.

• Talking timers are important for cooking or letting you know when it is time to stop doing an activity. Some can act as count down timers that help with repetitive tasks, like taking medication or doing exercises.

Talking products can help you maintain your health:

• Talking Prescription Bottle allows you to record a brief message to tell you what the medication is, how much to take and when.

• Talking Medication Reminder and Pill Organizer is small enough to fit in your pocket and will remind you to take your medication.

• Talking Bathroom Scale is essential for watching your weight.

• Talking Blood Pressure Monitor is used just like the regular cuff, only the result is spoken out loud.

Other everyday tasks can benefit from products that talk:

• Simplify working with numbers. The Talking Calculator announces the numbers pressed and the results of the function selected.

• The Voice Activated Remote is easy to use and makes selecting TV channels much easier. You can turn on the announce feature to hear what buttons you are pressing.

• Talking Indoor/Outdoor Thermometer will tell the temperature outside, so you'll know if you need a jacket!

If you have low vision, there is no reason to restrict daily activities when there are tools available to help accomplish the task. Products that talk can be valuable partners around the house. Let them help guide your activities towards leading a more independent life.

© Copyright 2003 Dynamic Living, Inc.
Dynamic Living Newsletter may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission from the editor must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter.

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