Leading the Blind: Hoof Meets Paw

A pony in the passenger compartment of the airplane or in the cabin on the cruise ship: Once again, nothing seems to be impossible in the USA. There, not only guide dogs, but also little ponies accompany visually impaired people through their life. However, whether the hoofed animals could really substitute the assistants on paws is much discussed in Germany. Leading the Blind: Hoof Meets Paw - read more

School Books for the Blind: „One Site Wants Money, the Other One Accessibility“

Inclusive classes – this headword is on everyone’s lips. Now a project team followed up the question if one can make it possible to teach blind and sighted children together. The solution: accessible school books. School Books for the Blind: „One Site Wants Money, the Other One Accessibility“ - read more

Shopping as a Blind Person: “Customers Should also Dare to Go Shopping by Themselves“

Turn left at the next traffic light. The familiar voice on the navigation system guides drivers who don’t have a sense of direction through unknown streets. By comparison, blind people have a much harder time, if they don’t find their way in their surroundings. Now a shopping centre in Berlin offers blind and visually impaired customers at least help during shopping – with a Blind-Guiding System. Shopping as a Blind Person: “Customers Should also Dare to Go Shopping by Themselves“ - read more

Waiting Tables Blind: “When the Fear Is Gone, the Fun Can Begin”

See nothing. Only taste, smell, feel, hear. That’s all that matters in a dark restaurant. Serving food here seems impossible − for the sighted. Cevahir Männel has been severely vision impaired since birth and works as a waitress at a “dark” restaurant in Cologne, Germany. REHACARE.de spoke with her about real “blind dates”, frightening darkness, and sensory-enhanced guest contact. Waiting Tables Blind: “When the Fear Is Gone, the Fun Can Begin” - read more

Interior Design: “Everyday Life Without Barriers for Everybody is Desirable“

A living space in sterile brown beige – fortunately this color scheme has become obsolete for many older people. By now, a modern, colorful design can make many dreams of living a reality and clearly increase the quality of life. Interior Design: “Everyday Life Without Barriers for Everybody is Desirable“ - read more

Blind Information System: Of Speeking Buses

Everything started with new trams and buses six years ago. They were supposed to be part of the public traffic in Dresden. Unfortunately, the driver sat three metres away from the entrance door which was too far to quickly ask something whilst passing by. This especially concerned blind and visually handicapped people. The solution: the Blind Information System BLIS. Blind Information System: Of Speeking Buses - read more

Information Data Bank for Acoustic Newspapers

In Holzminden, Germany, the roots of acoustic newspapers lay back in the year 1972. Members of the church circle read news of the local press to blind people. Today, acoustic newspapers take over this part. And the association "Aktion Tonband Zeitung” (ATZ) located in Holzminden now created an information data bank on acoustic newspapers. Information Data Bank for Acoustic Newspapers - read more

„We Do Not Construct Typical Table Games for the Blind“. Volker Lendeckel about retrofitted table games

With magnets and transparent film Volker and Erika from Neuwied, Germany, have been retrofitting table games for blind people since 20 years. The 62-year old early retired talked with REHACARE.de about how it happened that blind and seeing people go to jail together or push each other down from the field.  „We Do Not Construct Typical Table Games for the Blind“. Volker Lendeckel about retrofitted table games - read more

Corinna May - I can't Live without Music

Corinna May - the year 2002 made her well-known in Germany. The blind singer won the national competition for the Eurovision Song Contest and went to Tallin, Estonia, with her song "I Can't Live without Music". She only placed 21st but since then her name was known in Germany.  Corinna May - I can't Live without Music - read more

Computer Technique Could Help Partially-Sighted See Better

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[18/06/2010] Partially-sighted people could gain greater independence from a simple, cheap and accessible training course which could eventually be delivered from their mobile phones or hand-held games consoles, a study shows. Computer Technique Could Help Partially-Sighted See Better - read more

Elderly: Untreated Poor Vision Linked to Dementia

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[24/02/2010] Elderly people with visual disorders that are left untreated are significantly more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease - the most common form of dementia, according to a new study. Elderly: Untreated Poor Vision Linked to Dementia - read more

Public Education against Vision Loss

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[29/01/2010] The Braille Institute of America launches a public education campaign to keep seniors who experience vision loss active and independent for as long as possible. Public Education against Vision Loss - read more

Blind Patients: Retinal Implant for Recognizing Letters

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[17/11/2010] Researchers have shown that a light-sensitive chip, implanted beneath the retina, is able to restore meaningful images in blind patients, up to the point of recognizing letters and words. Blind Patients: Retinal Implant for Recognizing Letters - read more

Biosynthetic Corneas Restore Vision in Humans

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[17/09/2010] A new study from researchers in Canada and Sweden has shown that biosynthetic corneas can help regenerate and repair damaged eye tissue and improve vision in humans. Biosynthetic Corneas Restore Vision in Humans - read more

Students Develop Device to Help Blind Manuever

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[12/07/2010] Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) students have developed an innovative optical radar system that helps blind people maneuver around obstacles. Students Develop Device to Help Blind Manuever - read more

Synthetic Eye Prosthesis May Offer Help

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[21/06/2010] Donor corneas are a rarity: In Germany alone, each year roughly 7,000 patients wait for that miniscule piece of tissue. An implant made of plastic may soon offer patients with the chance to see again. Synthetic Eye Prosthesis May Offer Help - read more

Celebrating 200 Years of Louis Braille

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[19/12/2008] On January 4, 2009, the American Foundation for the Blind will join organizations across the globe in celebrating the 200th anniversary of Louis Braille's birth.  Celebrating 200 Years of Louis Braille - read more

Video Game to Help Blind Children Exercise

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[11/06/2010] A new project helps children who are blind become more physically active and healthy through video games. The human-computer interaction research team has developed a motion-sensing-based tennis and bowling exergame. Video Game to Help Blind Children Exercise - read more

How Visually Impaired See Emotions

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[07/06/2010] Without vision it’s impossible to interpret facial expressions, or so it’s believed. Not any more. Shafiq ur Réhman, Umeå University, presents a new technology in his doctoral thesis – a Braille code of emotions. How Visually Impaired See Emotions - read more

The Blind and Their Sense of Smell

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[05/05/2010] An ongoing study has debunked the myth that the blind have a more acute sense of smell than the sighted. Vision loss simply makes blind people pay more attention to how they perceive smells. The Blind and Their Sense of Smell - read more

Teaching Tools for Visually Impaired Children

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[12/04/2010] Children with visual impairments face disproportionate challenges learning math, and by the time they reach the college level, they are under-represented in science, technology, mathematics and engineering disciplines. Teaching Tools for Visually Impaired Children - read more

Vision Problems Prompt Older Drivers to Put Down the Keys

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[07/01/2009] A new study finds that a decrease in vision function is a key factor in bringing about this decision for drivers in the US aged 65 and over to recognize when they can no longer drive safely. Vision Problems Prompt Older Drivers to Put Down the Keys - read more

Website to Connect Parents of Visually Impaired Children

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[30/04/2008] To help families with visually impaired children connect with each other the online community "FamilyConnect" was launched. Website to Connect Parents of Visually Impaired Children - read more

Autistic Toddlers Prefer Special Visual Pattern

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[08/09/2010] Researchers have shown that toddlers with autism spend significantly more time visually examining dynamic geometric patterns than they do looking at social images. Autistic Toddlers Prefer Special Visual Pattern - read more

Playing 'Pong' with the Blink of an Eye

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[29/03/2010] University students have developed a computer game that is operated by eye movements, which could allow people with severe physical disabilities to become 'gamers' for the first time. Playing 'Pong' with the Blink of an Eye - read more

Inaccessible Kiosks: Airline Discriminates Blind Passengers

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[08/11/2010] United uses airport kiosks that employ touchscreen technology in a manner such that they cannot be used by blind passengers.  Inaccessible Kiosks: Airline Discriminates Blind Passengers - read more

U.S. Currency Must be Redesigned to be Accessible

[23/05/2008] The American Foundation for the Blind applauded a federal appeals court ruling that the U.S. Treasury Department is violating the law by not designing and issuing accessible paper money.  U.S. Currency Must be Redesigned to be Accessible - read more

Virtual Maps for the Blind

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[23/09/2009] To give navigational "sight" to the blind, a researcher has invented a new software tool to help the blind navigate through unfamiliar places.  Virtual Maps for the Blind - read more

New Bluetooth System for Blind and Sighted Pedestrians

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[15/10/2008] A new Bluetooth system designed primarily for blind people places a layer of information technology over the real world to tell pedestrians about points of interest along their path as they pass them. New Bluetooth System for Blind and Sighted Pedestrians - read more

Many Children with Hearing Loss also Have Eye Disorders

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[18/02/2009] About one-fifth of children with sensorineural hearing loss also have ocular disorders, according to a report. Many Children with Hearing Loss also Have Eye Disorders - read more

Improving Schools for Disabled Students

( Source: REHACARE.de )

[04/11/2009] Research Architect B. Lynn Hutchings believes that by making a few practical, effective and relatively inexpensive changes to school buildings, they can become better environments for students with physical, intellectual, and sensory disabilities.  Improving Schools for Disabled Students - read more