Making Things Easier to
See
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Problem
Poor or
declining vision is an issue for many people with mental retardation. It is even
more common in older
people. For people with poor eyesight, the ability to see materials and surroundings
clearly is key to completing tasks as independently as possible.
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Glare can
cause a shiny floor to appear like a sheet of ice.
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It may be difficult to see what you want in
a cluttered cabinet.
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Food may
seem to “disappear” on a similar colored plate.
Related
Functional Limitations:
Vision
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Solution 1: Use
Color Contrast Techniques. Items that
have good color contrast (i.e., light colors against dark backgrounds) are easier to
distinguish from each other.
Ideas:
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Highlight the edges of stair
trends and doorways by using contrasting color tape or paint.
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Place food on a plate of a
contrasting color; for instance, eggs on a dark plate.
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Use cooking utensils that
contrast in color from the ingredients being used, such as a black cup for sugar.
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Use felt tipped pens instead of
finer ball point pens or pencils.
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Solution 2: Control Natural and Artificial
Light to
minimize intolerance of excessive
light and increase visibility of the task.
Ideas:
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Use a lap desk to
"tilt" materials out of the glare.
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Place a plain tablecloth over a
glossy table top to control glare.
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Use blinds to filter sunlight and
minimize glare.
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Use incandescent light rather
than fluorescent lighting whenever possible.
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Place "task" lighting
directly on activities. For instance, put lights under cabinets to light counter tops.
Use a gooseneck lamp to focus light on an art activity.
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Solution 3: Organize Items for Easy Location.
Ideas:
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Store items where they are used:
cleaning supplies in the bathroom, games next to the dining room table, etc.
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Put most frequently used items in
the most accessible places: drinks
on the refrigerator door, leisure items in the easiest to reach drawer or shelf.
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Use “auto” finders that make
a noise when activated to locate keys, TV remotes, etc.
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Solution 4: Use Other Senses to Help Identify Items
or Complete a Task.
Provide auditory or tactile clues to identify an item's
purpose or location.
Ideas:
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Label items with tactile cues.
For instance, put rough tape near the opening of each half of a toothbrush holder to assist in
identification and orientation.
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Mark the essential buttons on a
microwave oven with different textured tape.
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Use "auto" finders that
make a noise when activated to locate keys, TV remotes, etc.
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