Large-type keyboards help improve accessibility.
Lighthouse Guild, an organization dedicated to providing services that inspire and support people who are visually impaired to attain their goals, was the featured organization during a virtual talk hosted by the Mount Sinai Office for Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). The organization provides coordinated care for eye health, vision, and rehabilitation, as well as behavioral health services. The talk entitled, “Living With Vision Challenges During COVID-19,” is available here.
Janet Weinstein, Director of Outreach for Lighthouse Guild.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, people with low vision have had increased difficulties with the restrictions and safety precautions we have all been taking, especially as people are getting out more,” said Janet Weinstein, Director of Outreach for Lighthouse Guild. “We specialize in vision rehabilitation—that is, equipping people to resume their activities of daily living with the vision that they have, or for those who are blind, developing alternative techniques.”
In the educational session, Ms. Weinstein described the various types of vision loss, including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts. The talk was part of the Raising Disability Awareness Virtual Talk Series. The series, launched by ODI in 2020 for Disability Awareness Month, featured speakers from around the Mount Sinai Health System and the community to raise awareness and promote an inclusive and equitable workplace and health care environment for people with disabilities.
Lisa Beth Miller, LCSW-R, Outreach and Referral Coordinator for Lighthouse Guild.
Lisa Beth Miller, LCSW-R, Outreach and Referral Coordinator for Lighthouse Guild, discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic affected changes in lifestyle for people with vision impairments. While social distancing and wearing masks became the norm, Ms. Weinstein stressed the importance of navigating cautiously when away from home, using gloves or tissues when touching handrails, and embracing technology, such as apps with audio description and magnification features to help maintain social distance.
During the pandemic, telephones and personal computers became even more important for people with vision loss, allowing them to access telehealth and stay connected with friends, family, classes, and work, Ms. Miller said.
Lighthouse Guild is dedicated to providing resources to those who may need eye exams, education or rehabilitation services, including technology assessments and training, to address vision challenges. Ms. Miller said that “it makes a huge difference in someone’s life to know they’re not alone,” and encouraged participants to consider themselves ambassadors for those who may have vision problems, to support them in their needs. More information on the organization can be found at the Lighthouse Guild site.
Additional disabilities-related resources are available on the Mount Sinai Office for Diversity and Inclusion site.