Apart from magnification, there are various other low vision aids for the visually impaired that may help provide more independence and a better quality of life.
Scroll down to find my picks in each of these categories:
- magnifying lights.
- bright, portable lamps for reading.
- large font, high contrast, computer keyboards.
- large button phones including those made for seniors.
- smart phones with accessibility features for visually impaired.
- simple, large button TV-remotes.
- other low vision aids such as talking watches, talking microwaves, tactile stickers, thick pens and more.
Table of Contents
What to look for when selecting low vision products for visually impaired users?
Key things to look for are:
- High contrast. Most people with low vision prefer white on black, or black on white. For some people bright yellow is also easy to see.
- Large font so it’s easier to see.
- Large buttons, preferably in a high contrast color.
- Tactile features. The less you see, the more you rely on touch. Some products are designed with buttons in different shapes so a blind user can feel which is which.
- Easy to use. The less you can see, the more you have to rely on memory. So if you can remove the excess buttons that aren’t needed it makes life much easier.
Best magnifying lights for visually impaired
Top pick for magnifying lamp
- 2 configuration options – table lamp or floor lamp
- 2 color options – with Cool White / Warm White Color Temperature
- Adjusting LED’s
- SuperBright with 90 LED’s
- X-Large magnifying Lens
- energy efficient
- satisfaction guarantee
- available to buy online and have delivered to you
- Dimensions: 11.8 x 4.8 x 6.8 inches
- a 3.5″ (1.75X) magnifying lamp with (4x) bifocal lens
- dust cover
- 12w energy saving tube
- hinged adjustable arm
- 6ft power cord
- Able to buy online and have delivered to you
Best bright portable lamp
Top pick for portable light
- Portable, lightweight lamp that folds up for easy carrying
- Bright, efficient lamp for multiple uses
- 24 LEDs (lasting up to 100,000 hours use)
- 3 brightness levels
- USB cable included for charging, or can use 4 AA batteries (not included)
- Dimensions 5 x 3 x 10.75 inches (extended); folds to 1.75 inches
- Able to buy online and have delivered to you
Best high contrast computer keyboards for low vision
A large print computer keyboard can make typing much easier for a visually impaired user. Reduce the need to squint while searching for the key you need. Some people prefer the high contrast of yellow keys, while other people prefer the more subtle option of a white on black large print keyboard.
Top pick for high contrast keyboard
AbleNet Keys U See Large Print US English USB Wired Keyboard, Yellow (MAG0428)
- Standard keyboard layout and size but with large font lettering.
- High contrast black writing on bright yellow keys.
- Designed for visually impaired users, including those with macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts or glaucoma.
- Able to buy online and have delivered to you
Keys-U-See Large Print Keyboard-Black w-White Print
- Standard keyboard layout and size but with large font lettering
- High contrast white writing on black keys
- Able to buy online and have delivered to you
Top pick for backlit keyboard
- Backlit keys
- Standard keyboard layout and size but with large font lettering
- Different color options
- A wireless version of this keyboard is also available for purchase
- Able to buy online and have delivered to you
Best large button phones for the visually impaired
Top pick for simple large button phone
Emerson EM300WH Big Button Seniors Phone
- Simple to use
- Very large buttons with large font and high contrast
- 10 number speed dial
- Works in power outage for Emergencies
- Hands-free speakerphone mode
- Redial button
- Able to buy online and have delivered to you
Top pick for large button phone with answering machine
AT&T CL4940 Corded Phone with Answering System, White
- Extra large backlit, tilted display
- Large buttons with large font and high contrast black numbers
- Caller ID
- Digital answering system
- Compatible with hearing aids
- Able to buy online and have delivered to you
Top pick for big button cordless phone
High Volume 50 dB Large Button Cordless Telephone
- High contrast, large font numbers on backlit keys of handset
- 300 times (50 db) volume amplification
- Talking caller ID
- Slow playblack answering machine
- 3 speed-dial buttons
- Battery back-up for full operation during power outage
- Able to buy online and have delivered to you
Top pick for tactile, large button cell phone
- “Clam style” makes answering and ending phone calls easier for visually impaired users because you just open or close the phone instead of hunting for an answer button.
- Large keypad with large font, high contrast writing on buttons
- SOS Emergency Button
- 2.4″ Large LCD screen
- Able to buy online and have delivered to you
- “Clam style” makes answering and ending phone calls easier for visually impaired users because you just open or close the phone instead of hunting for an answer button.
- Large keypad with large font, high contrast writing on buttons
- Loud speaker
- Able to buy online and have delivered to you
Best smart phones for a visually impaired person
Top pick for smart phone for vision impaired users
- Apple iPhone’s are known to be the top of the line for visually impaired people. Apple is always the leader with providing accessibility features.
- iPhones come with inbuilt features for visually impaired and blind users. Includes Magnifier, Zoom, Large Font, VoiceOver, Speech, Color Modifications and more. These can be turned on in Settings.
- Use Siri to give voice commands, including to make phone calls, send sms, dictate emails, do Google searches and more.
- 7 Plus size has a large 5.5″ screen so you can see more on screen when using large font.
- Improvements on the 6 Plus include a bigger battery, more memory, better camera with optical zoom, stereo speakers, lighter and water resistant.
- Apple iPhone’s are known to be the top of the line for visually impaired people. Apple is always the leading phone brand with providing accessibility features.
- iPhones come with inbuilt features for visually impaired and blind users. Includes Magnifier, Zoom, Large Font, VoiceOver, Speech, Color Modifications and more. These can be turned on in Settings.
- Use Siri to give voice commands, including to make phone calls, send sms, dictate emails, do Google searches and more.
- 6 Plus size has a large 5.5″ screen so you can see more on screen when using large font.
- The minimum storage is 16GB, but I’d recommend selecting to upgrade for more storage for everyone except those who only want to use their phone for phone calls.
- 6S Plus is last years model, but still an excellent phone that uses the latest iOS 10 software and includes the features for visually impaired users.
Simple, large button TV-remote
Top pick for TV remote control
Tek Pal – Simple, Big Button Remote Control
- Easy to use
- Simplifies operating the TV by removing all the extra buttons
- Only 6 buttons – on/off, mute, volume up and down and channel up and down
- Universal remote – works with most flat screen TVs
- Large back lit buttons
- Tactile buttons in different shapes – great for low vision users
- Runs on AA batteries
- available to buy online and have it delivered to you from here.
Other low vision equipment
You can find more low vision products by Maxi Aids on Amazon, including:
- talking watches
- talking microwave
- tactile bump dots
- jumbo print calendar
- and many more low vision tools to help vision impaired people stay independent.
Other low vision aids for the visually impaired include using extra thick dark pens for writing and tactile stickers or puffy paint to mark up buttons such as on the microwave.