LiveWire Low Vision A newsletter for people with Low Vision Issue 23 November 2009 In this issue: Local Support Page 1 Customer Feedback Page 2 The New Compact Mini Page 3 Welcome Aboard Page 4 Guide: Easy Computing Page 4 Another Year Draws to a Close! It has been a rocky ride for many people over the last 12 months. We have heard from some clients about the uncertainty and stress that the global economic downturn has caused. Thankfully, most of us have got through it all unscathed and are now facing the future with more confidence and certainty. All of us here at Quantum really do appreciate and value your support over the last year, and send our very best Seasons Greetings. We hope you enjoy this edition of LiveWire. The Importance of Local Service One of our long term clients, Pat Garrison who lives in the Hunter region, recently told us about his “golden rule” when making purchases. “Some companies claim to be the biggest, some claim to be the best, some claim to be the cheapest, but the ones that get my business are the ones that provide local service” he said. Pat has had Macular Degeneration for around 15 years and has experienced first hand how debilitating it can be. When he needs assistance he knows just how important it is to be able to call someone local who can drop by and fix the problem. At Quantum, we hear this repeated so many times. People with Low Vision often come to depend on their electronic magnifiers reading machines and talking books. For this reason Quantum has developed an extensive range of local dealers throughout Australia and New Zealand (see map on back page). Equally important is to be able to have someone visit, demonstrate and loan you equipment before you make a purchase. A cheaper product that doesn’t meet your needs or is not locally supported will often end up costing you a lot more. So here are our “golden rules for buying low vision products; 1. Try before you buy. 2. Think local (who provides the warranty. Who is going to help?) 3. Buy local! Support the people that support you. Pat’s local dealer in the Hunter is Steve Belbin of Adaptech Solutions. Phone: 4987 7877 or Mobile: 0409 000 100 Talking Movies! Audio Description (AD) is a narration which explains what’s happening visually in television, movies, DVDs or live performances. It conveys elements such as scenes, settings, costumes and ‘sight gags’ – anything that is important to understanding. AD is not widely used or known about in Australia, even amongst those with vision impairment, however it is available widely in the UK and US. Media Access Australia has just launched an information campaign to increase awareness of and demand for audio description, a service for people who are blind or vision impaired, in Australia. If you would like to find out more, either for yourself, for a group or your organization, please call MAA on (02) 9212 6242 First Hand Feedback Florence, 87 years old, has always loved doing crosswords. For years, she would sit down at the table with a cup of tea and work through them with delight. But after being diagnosed with Macular Degeneration, her vision deteriorated and she was no longer able to do them. She was also unable to do quite a lot of everyday things. This all changed in June 2009 when Florence got in contact with her local Vision Australia office and was introduced to a ClearView+ magnifier. After an assessment, Florence was able to get funding through Veteran Affairs for a ClearView+ Star 22” electronic magnifier. Using it everyday, Florence checks her mail regularly, keeping up to date with bills and letters from family & friends. When cooking, Florence is now able to check labels on packets of food; “before I couldn’t tell which flavour the jelly was!” She can now also manage her medication, as she can read the directions on the bottle using the ClearView+. Florence has shown her friends who can’t believe how helpful the machine is.” In her own words “Wonderful! This machine has opened up a whole new life for me.” Introducing the Compact Mini – for when you really need a pocket sized magnifier Who remembers the first mobile phone? When we look back, it is easier to think of them as “mobile bricks”! Technology is changing rapidly, and electronic magnifiers are no exception. The Compact Mini is the latest addition to the Optelec range of electronic magnifiers. As the name suggests, it is the smallest electronic magnifier on the market and weighs only 134 grams. A sister product to the slightly larger Compact+, the Mini is ideal for anyone wanting a magnifier with them at all times. It has multiple viewing colours and adjustable magnification. With a price under $800 it might also be just the thing for Christmas! YOUR VIP Support Group Local VIP Support groups provide excellent local support to people with Low Vision. The Fairfield Liverpool (NSW) VIP Group meet on the first Tuesday of every month at the Smithfield RSL, for guest speakers and lunch. If you want more information please contact Margaret on (02) 9604 4414 There are many other VIP Groups around Australia. Do you know your local Group? Profiling one of our local Dealers Hearing & Sight Solutions Covering the beautiful mid-north coast of NSW Hearing & Sight Solutions offer a wide range of services and products for people with hearing loss and/or vision loss. Owners Peter and Tine Varvel have established a popular and growing business by providing good, old fashioned service. If you know anyone on the NSW mid-coast who may need their services, you can pass their name on with confidence. Hearing and Sight Solutions 41 Florence Street TAREE NSW 2430 TEL: 1300 653 144 Quantum Comes to You. Quantum is committed to providing the best service possible to our clients. We make a point of coming to your home, school, local community group or whatever location you prefer. We also loan you our products to use at home prior to purchase, to ensure they meet your needs. Welcome Aboard! We are pleased to welcome Peter Hore to our sales team. Based in South East Queensland, Peter will cover the Gold Coast and as far south as Lismore and Ballina. Peter joins us with 20 years of experience working in the optical industry. You can contact Peter through our Qld office (07) 3831 4894 or directly on 0407 740 635. GUIDE: It really does compute! If you are coming to computers late in life, or want to continue to use your computer and have vision loss, then you need to take a look at GUIDE. GUIDE provides a very simple and easy way to use a computer. Anything that you might want to do on the computer is available in a simple numbered list, and all information can be spoken and magnified. Become a ‘Grey Web Nomad’ and discover the digital world! Call us for more information. Our Contact Details: NSW/ACT 5 South St, Rydalmere NSW 2116 (02) 8844 9888 Victoria 3 Chesterville Rd, Cheltenham VIC 3192 (03) 9545 4100 Queensland Suite 503, Level 5 Ladhope House 131 Wickham Tce Spring Hill QLD 4000 (07) 3831 4894