NEWS FROM THE CENTER
Life Hacks You Wish You Had Known Sooner
At the August 19 session of the Blind & Low Vision Support Group, nine members talked about helpful tips for making everyday life a little easier. One person said that he keeps his cell phone close by with a coiled lanyard strap with a carabiner. The lanyard can be attached to a belt or backpack and costs less than $15.
Shopping hacks were also discussed, including using Amazon’s accessibility support. You can contact the Amazon Accessibility Customer Service line at 1-888-283-1678 to get assistance describing products and adding items to a shopping cart.
Another lively discussion focused on doctor appointments and the challenges of using the MyChart app. One driver volunteer mentioned that the MyChart platform is challenging for sighted folks, as well.
One important takeaway was clear: advocate for yourself early, clearly, and confidently. The group proved once again that sometimes the best life hacks come from sharing experiences and learning from one another.
New Glasses, New Apps & New Discoveries
The August Smart Glasses Support Group was a busy and informative session, with eighteen members and guests participating in person or via Zoom. Two members were set up with new smart glasses, while two others received help adjusting settings in the Meta AI app. Members also shared new discoveries, creative uses, and troubleshooting tips from the past month.
The group discussed the features, limitations, and costs of several apps, including Scribeme, a subscription app, and Oorion, which is free. Soundscape Community is an app designed to help blind and partially sighted people build a mental map of urban spaces. It allows users to place markers along a route so they can retrace the route later.
Members compared the features of the first- and second-generation Meta glasses and discussed other emerging products. A reminder was also given to use care when downloading apps, as multiple apps with similar names may appear in both the Apple and Google app stores.
For More Info on Smart Glasses, you can View/Download Our Brochure.
Lunch & Shopping in Manchester
On August 7, nine members and guide dog Hannah enjoyed a fun day in Manchester, starting with lunch at Olive Garden. The group received excellent service and welcomed the chance to meet an active Zoom support group member in person for the first time.
Next, we headed to Trader Joe’s for a little shopping adventure, finding favorites like cantaloupe, croissants, chocolate-covered pretzels, and onion soup. The store manager even surprised one of our members with a beautiful flower bouquet and helped carry her groceries to the car.
A big thank-you to Meg, Mark, Jane, Renee, Victor, and Hannah for their help with driving, guiding, and shopping assistance. Despite the muggy weather, everyone had a wonderful time!
Discovering More from Our Smart Phones
Thirteen members joined the Macular Degeneration Support Group on October 5, either in person or via Zoom, for an informative look at the latest smartphone features and accessibility tools.
Members explored new and familiar capabilities of Siri and Google Assistant, along with the growing ability of apps to handle conversational follow-up questions. The group also learned about a new feature in the Be My Eyes app that allows volunteers to access a user’s computer screen and provide real-time assistance with computer issues.
BARD users described their positive experiences with recent improvements to the BARD Mobile app, particularly its much-improved search function. The meeting wrapped up with a look at some of the newest features in the Photos app.
Dice & Cane: The Curious Dragon Handler
On June 27, Dice & Cane adventurers continued to uncover the mystery of the Sunless Citadel, delving back into the forgotten fortress in pursuit of the Ick. They found a small army of lizard creatures, and a curious dragon handler named Meepo. Unfortunately, their newly found friend didn’t have our hero’s survival instincts and was on the wrong end of a young dragon’s breath. Poor Meepo!
As our heroes close in on the source of the Ick, will they be ready for the stunning conclusion? We’ll find out next session!
Interested in playing? Join us for Dungeons & Dragons held one Saturday each month. Dungeons and Dragons is a Tabletop Role Playing Game. Under the leadership of Dungeon Master, CJ, you enter the world of imagination and alongside your merry band of adventurers, work through challenges, obstacles, and ne’er-do-wells of the fantasy realm. You do not have to be blind or have low vision to join and there is no experience necessary. Check our calendar of events for dates & times.
Sunshine, Smiles, and Summer Fun at Our 54th Annual Picnic!
What a perfect day to celebrate summer! Eighty-five members and guests joined us for our 54th Annual Summer Picnic, enjoying beautiful weather, delicious food, and wonderful fellowship at our new location at Camp Harkness.
The menu featured hamburgers, hot dogs, tasty sides, desserts, and a refreshing surprise from Mini Melts Ice Cream. Fresh popcorn and cotton candy made their picnic debut, while everyone’s favorite Bingo kept the fun going. Adding a colorful touch to the festivities were the whimsical hot air balloons handcrafted by members and volunteers, floating overhead and bringing smiles to all.
Events like this don’t happen without an incredible team of volunteers. Our heartfelt thanks go to the Picnic and Set-Up Committees and everyone who pitched in to make the day such a success. A special thank-you to Phil and Joann for providing tables, chairs, popcorn and cotton candy machines, and the power to keep everything running. We’re also grateful to our grill master, Janet LaBonté, Renée’s mom, for serving up a delicious meal, and to Mini Melts of Norwich for generously donating 150 cups of ice cream.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s picnic such a joyful celebration. We can’t wait to do it again next summer!