VIDBE-Q 2026 Volume 71 Issue 1
skills instructor when necessary. There is an extensive amount of crossover
between these two areas – especially with the ever-growing amount of assistive
technology that is now available on mainstream devices such as cell phones, tablets
and computers.
Today the focus of my role is teaching clients how to use assistive
technology to live their lives just like everyone else. This often includes teaching
them how to use their computers, cell phones and tablets – which are ubiquitous
tools in our daily lives.
Author's note: Both I and my agency use the term "clients" and not
"students" to identify those we teach. In the true sense of andragogy, we work with
our clients to identify their goals and what they would like to learn.
I work with adult clients aged 18 and above, and while I have some younger
clients, most of my clients are in their 50's, 60's or 70's. In many ways, I am their
peer. While a few have been blind their entire life, the majority are individuals who
have acquired their vision loss later in life. Coping with vision loss later in life
involves learning a lot of coping mechanisms – identifying new ways to tackle
typical everyday challenges and familiar situations (what I like to refer to as "life
hacks"). Considering my own circumstances, I can readily relate. In short – I get it.
I've often been there, done that, and didn't want the t-shirt.
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