If reading a screen has become a strain, the right device, set up well, can make a real difference. The good news is you don’t need special equipment. A phone or tablet, chosen with your eyes in mind and adjusted properly, is one of the best low-vision aids ever made. When choosing, screen size matters most. A tablet is kinder on the eyes than a phone simply because everything on it is bigger – the text, the buttons and the photos.
If the main user is reading messages and seeing the family, a tablet is often the better buy.
If you want something to carry in a pocket, choose a phone with as large a screen as is comfortable to hold. Look for a bright, clear screen.
It’s worth going into a shop and trying a few rather than buying online. That way you can see which screen your eyes find easiest.
Turn the brightness up and read a paragraph of text. A good screen stays sharp and easy to read at arm’s length. Matte or glare-reducing screens help if you often sit near a window.
Don’t be swayed by the most expensive model. A mid-range phone or tablet usually has a perfectly fine screen for everyday use.
Whatever you buy, the settings are where the real gains are and they are all free. Every modern phone and tablet has built-in accessibility settings and these found under Settings, then Accessibility on both Apple and Android.
The ones worth knowing:
- Larger text makes the writing bigger across the whole device so menus, messages and web pages all grow at once.
- Bold text thickens every letter so it stands out against the screen. This sometimes helps more than size alone.
- Increased Contrast sharpens the difference between the words and their background so the text stops blending in.
- Magnifier turns the camera into a magnifying glass for reading small print on a medicine bottle or a menu.
- Read aloud will speak text, emails and books to you so you can rest your eyes.
- Nothing is set in stone. Try one setting, live with it for a day, and change it back if it doesn’t suit. You can’t break anything by exploring.
If you need a hand, Blind Low Vision New Zealand runs a free adaptive technology help desk on 0800 24 33 33, with advice on devices, settings and apps. A visit to your optometrist is a sensible first step too. However, for many people, a bigger screen and a few changes to the settings is all it takes to make a device comfortable to use again.
Nick @ Senior Gadget Guide
www.seniorgadgetguide.co.nz
