Talking Outdoor Thermometer

by Jim
(Grand Forks, North Dakota)

As the weather gets colder, I like to know what the temperature is outside before going out. It becomes even more important when it might be -50 degrees - yes, that's below zero.

I have a talking thermometer. The inside device connects by a cord to the outside thermometer. By pressing a button, it will tell me the temp.

REPLY

Hi Jim,

Talking devises and gadgets are great vision aids for those with macular degeneration.

There are talking calculators for balancing your check book, talking timers for baking, talking microwaves, along with talking watches and talking alarm clocks for telling time. Talking blood pressure cuffs for monitoring your blood pressure are also available.

These low vision aids certainly reduce some of the frustration of straining the eyes, finding a magnifier, etc.

My father-in-law even has a talking tire pressure gauge that he thinks is just the greatest.

He can quickly get the tire pressure number by simply pressing a button.

For more ideas on low vision aids go to:

Visual Aids for Macular Degeneration

Free Talking Books

by Will
(Seattle)

Leslie,

Are you aware that the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library in Seattle has a digital book reader available for qualified people to receive free of charge with free digital books available from their catalog.


This may also be available state wide. No reading required. Just listen and enjoy.

REPLY

Hi Will,

Thanks for sharing this info. Yes, listening to books is a great alternative to reading. And yes, this service is free for qualified individuals.

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped offers books on tape and the device to United State residents and to those whose vision is 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses.

There is an application that needs to be filled out and then sent to the library in your area/state. Once the library receives the application and approves it, the play back device is mailed out.

The device is not a typical cassette player. While cassette players can play maybe 90 minutes of tape at the most, these 4 track players can play up to 6 hours of recorded material. This eliminates the need for many tapes just for one book. The machine does have Rewind, Play and Fast Forward control buttons.

Tapes are delivered for free using the U.S. Postal system. The tapes are returned for free as well with return postage paid envelopes.

It certainly is worth giving "talking books" a try since there is no cost involved. For your convenience here is a link to

The Library of Congress

Kind Regards,

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Books on CD Club

by Myrna
(Austin, Texas)

My wet macular degeneration has caused me severe vision loss and reading has become too much of a strain - but I do enjoy listening to audio books. What is the best way to listen to books on tape? I have a CD player.

Reply

Hi Myrna,

If you enjoy listening to audio books there are a couple of options for you - some of them free.

Audio Books for Free

Free books on tape are available from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

Books and magazines in audio form are delivered to eligible readers by postage-free mail and are returned in the same manner.

Specially designed cassette players are also loaned free to persons who borrow talking books from their library.

Click here for more information:

Free Books on Tape

Books on CD Club

If your're interested in listening to your books on a CD player, you can rent books on CD - through Simply Audiobooks. To learn more about this program click here:

Books on CD Club

Kind Regards,

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN