Being blind is a learning process not only for the blind themselves, but also for family members and those that live in the same household. To the newly blind, home takes on the aspect of a a fortress of safety and learning arena. Everything that could be done as a sighted person has to be learned all over again, from walking to personal hygiene, even on to the more advanced things like cooking and the likes.

The Social Security Administration’s has a track record of denying many disability applications for a range of physical disabilities. This is often discouraging for the prospective applicant but when it comes to visual impairment, the approval rate is very high – almost 100%. For the Social Security Administration to consider a visually impaired person’s case, the applicant must meet the requirements set forth by Social Security. These requirements are a corrected visual acuity of 200/20 or worse and/or a field of vision diminished to 10% or less. Basically, for them to determine a person eligible for benefits, the applicant must first meet the criteria for being legally blind.

There are many software programs available that allow the blind and visually impaired to confidently navigate the world through their computer. These can generally be classified into two separate categories, the first being screen magnification, and the second, screen readers. Most of the applications come as both screen reader and magnifier.

Whether you’re preparing a meal for one or a feast for family and friends, there are ways to make your kitchen work for you if you are blind.

Blind Person’s Kitchen: Getting Organized

• Develop a system so you know where your utensils, spices and ingredients are stored. And make sure that other family members are aware so that they return things to their proper places.
• Labeling with large print or braille as well as tactile markings can help distinguish similar types of containers or the right setting on an oven or microwave. Wrap a rubber band around the juice container, for example, to tell it apart from the milk.
• Use all your senses. Touch and hearing can help you identify ingredients and operate appliances. Do you know how to tell a can of cream soup from noodle soup? Listen and feel as you shake the cans – the noodle soup will splash and feel looser. Some stove dials click as you turn the knob to various temperature settings. You can smell toast getting brown to know it’s done or burning. Meat is brown when it’s rough to the touch.
• Know your lighting needs. Install under-the-counter lighting and/or use gooseneck, adjustable arm lamps to position light directly onto your work area. Seat yourself so windows are behind you or to your side.