Tag: independence

Showing 1-65 of 65 for tag: independence

Meet Geoff-Henshaws service user takeover

Meet Geoff, a Henshaws service user who shares his experience of living with a visual impairment.

Chromebook with Henshaws user sat behind it

Google Chromebook – Is it accessible?

Nina’s Day-A day in the life of a Henshaws service user

Meet Nina, a Henshaws service user, who shares her experiences of visual impairment through a life in her day.

Henshaws Digital Enablement Service: Impact of Covid-19

Find out how Covid-19 has impacted on our Digital Enablement Service, and the need for technology during the pandemic.

AirTags: Helping you find your items

Find out about AirTag, Apple's answer to item tracking. Find out how it compares with Tile, another item tracking solution.

Voice Activated printing: Using Alexa to print and scan

Learn about linking Alexa to an HP Printer, and some of the ways in which you can use Alexa to print and scan.

Accessible TV guide on screen, showing white text on black background

Accessible TV Guide on Freeview Play

Find out all you need to know about Freeview Play's accessible TV guide, designed for people with all levels of vision.

Box containing Envision glasses with the frames visible

Envision Glasses: AI for your eye

Learn about the features of the Envision Glasses, AI-enabled smart glasses designed specifically for visually impaired people.

Supporting mobility with a Sunu Band

We took the Sunu Band, a wearable assistive device, on a test drive to see how it can support people with sight loss with their mobility and independence.

Introducing the RealSAM smart speaker

RealSAM, the people behind the 'In Your Pocket' accessible phone, have developed a smart speaker skill so that you can access audiobooks and podcasts on a Google smart speaker.

Our guide to the Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI)

Read our handy guide to find out everything you need to know about the Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI).

Pregnancy test re-designed for people with sight loss

The RNIB have launched a prototype pregnancy test for visually impaired people, making it possible for the first time to find out results independently.

Mark and Alice facing the camera, with money visible on the table

Recognising money if you have a visual impairment

Find out how to recognise money if you are visually impaired, and learn how the process has become easier since the introduction of polymer banknotes.

Tech Talk’s Top Tech of 2020

Find out what our Trafford and Oldham Tech Talk members voted as their favourite piece of technology in 2020.

A screenshot of the scanner screen, with the text 'Find a care label to scan, point the camera and keep it steady' and the 'See instructions' button

Laundry Lens: An app to help with clothes washing

Find out about Laundry Lens, an app that can help you to interpret laundry labels when washing your clothes.

Henshaws helps university students with ‘The Future of Work’ project

Henshaws staff were asked to support undergraduate students from Manchester Metropolitan University on a project focussing on workplaces of the future for disabled employees.

A screenshot of the Pingit app home screen, which includes an indication that there is £6.17 in the Pingit account, as well as options including 'create a new jar', and options for 'home', 'spend', 'pay and request', 'giving' and 'help'

Using Pingit if you have a visual impairment

Find out about Pingit, an accessible solution for managing your money.

Visiting Manchester Central Library post-lockdown

We offer digital technology assessments at Manchester Central Library, so we went along to check out what's changed at the building since the COVID-19 lockdown.

A screenshot of a travel apps folder. Along the top row are the apps Arriva Bus UK, Moovit and What3words. Along the bottom are Lazarillo and Soundscape.

Getting out and about: Using a smartphone to navigate independently

Hear from Lynne Nicholson, who is visually impaired and uses her smartphone and navigation apps to travel independently.

Image shows a member of the Digital Enablement Team sat at a desk with several laptops on.

Dictation solutions put to the test

There are a number of dictation solutions available, but which one is the best? We thought we would try some of the most common versions side by side to see how they performed.

Out and about on the high street after lockdown

Mark discusses how shops and services have changed since lockdown restrictions eased, in order to help better inform visually impaired people of what to expect when they go out.

COVID InSights: Nina’s story

'COVID InSights' is a new series from Henshaws in which blind and visually impaired individuals share their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic through videos and blogs.

Simon holding long cane at Piccadilly station

Coming out of lockdown if you are visually impaired (Part 2)

As the pandemic lockdown restrictions across the UK are eased, we discuss tips for how people with sight loss can prepare themselves for the 'new normal' in our towns and cities.

Life as an Enablement Officer at Henshaws

Kate, our Enablement Officer based in Oldham, explains her role in supporting the local sight loss community and the services that she delivers on a daily basis.

Coming out of lockdown if you are visually impaired (Part 1)

As lockdown restrictions across the UK are eased as part of the roadmap to recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, we discuss how people with a visual impairment may need support.

Man stood in front of a house holding a long cane.

Henshaws feature on BBC North West Tonight

Henshaws were featured in a report by BBC North West discussing the issues facing blind and visually impaired people during the Covid-19 pandemic, including social distancing.

Image shows a young woman wearing a pink Henshaws tshirt, holding up a sign that says 'support.'

Top tips for mindfulness during lockdown

Maria, our Enablement Officer for Tameside, discusses mindfulness tips to try and overcome any negative emotions you may experience during lockdown.

Image shows a woman holding a long cane and holding the arm of a man whilst crossing the road.

Top tips for social distancing if you are blind or visually impaired

Our Senior Rehabilitation Officer, Simon, shares his top tips for social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic if you are blind or visually impaired.

How an Amazon Echo Show and a Wifi Hub connected a family during lockdown

Mark discusses how his first thought on the announcement of the Covid-19 lockdown was getting his elderly relatives some connectivity with an Amazon Echo Show.

Image shows a male member of staff smiling at the camera. He is wearing a dark checked shirt.

12 top tips for shopping for a visually impaired person

Our Senior Rehabilitation Officer, Simon Merrills, shares his top tips for helping a visually impaired person with their shopping, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.

Image shows a man wearing a pink Henshaws t-shirt. He is cupping his hand to his ear.

Getting connected and keeping informed using technology

Getting connected with family and keeping informed has never been as important as it is during the Covid-19 lockdown. Read our blog about the technology that can help.

Image shows young girl with eyes closed, holding a lamb in her hands

Engaging the other senses in children with sight loss

Most info we gain about the world is through vision. This blog explores sensory learning and ways to encourage children to engage their senses and understand their world better.

7 gift ideas for people with sight loss

Knowing what to get your loved one for Christmas can be a struggle at the best of times. Here's some ideas from us at Henshaws for anyone with sight loss.

Image shows an elderly gentleman looking at the camera and smiling.

Meet Fred the centenarian with sight loss

I was very fortunate to be invited to meet one of our visually impaired service users from Oldham last month, just a few days after he celebrated his 100th birthday!

6 ‘Accidentally’ accessible products for people with sight loss

We review six products, three high-tech and three low-tech, which were not designed for someone with sight loss but are fully accessible and could increase independence.

Screenshot of iPhone screen showing Eye-D and the features Where Am I? and Around Me

Eye-D: An app that can act as your eyes

We review Eye-D, an app for iOS and Android that enables people with a visual impairment to be more independent.

Hands using a high contrast keyboard with yellow keys

Access to Work – making employment possible

If you’re disabled or have a physical or mental health condition that makes it hard for you to do your job, Access to Work is there to support you.

Henshaws support for autistic people

Our Yorkshire services offer opportunities for autistic people to create a pathway to independence.

Specialist College students become athletes for a day

Students at our Specialist College in Harrogate have been getting an insight into what it takes to be an athlete.

Meet Andrew, his beaming smile and zest for life!

Andrew, a student at Henshaws Specialist College, is one of just over 100 people in the world to have been diagnosed with PACS1 syndrome. Linda, Andrew’s mum, shares his story.

A professional woman talking to a mother and her son who is in a wheelchair at a work conference

First careers event at Specialist College

Our Specialist College welcomed local employers and support organisations onto campus for our first Careers Information, Advice & Guidance day for students and their families.

Holly shares her story

Meet Holly, a student at Henshaws Specialist College. Holly wrote this blog on her eye gaze computer to share her experience of being a young person living with disability.

Frank-playing-domino's-at-Henshaws-Tuesday-Group

“I can even read the telephone directory with the magnifier, which is magic! How many people can read the telephone directory?”

Frank has attended Henshaws' Living with Sight Loss course and is a regular at our Tuesday group. He explains how Henshaws has helped him keep in touch with old friends!

Tag: independence

Join our mailing list