Thoughtful, useful gifts they will love
Are you looking for gift ideas for visually-impaired techies? The technology world has levelled the playing field by developing state-of-the-art gadgets for 250 million people with vision impairment.
There are lots of items to choose from that are specifically designed for people who are visually impaired.
Table of Contents
This article will suggest the following products to make your shopping a little easier.
- Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
- Talking Wrist Watch
- Big Button Remote
- OrCam MyEye 2
- Extra Large Talking Button Clock
- 3X Large Full-Page Magnifier
- Handheld Portable Video Digital Magnifier
Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
A rainbow LED backlit gaming keyboard, ABKONCORE K595 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is an ideal gift for visually-impaired techies who use computers for gaming.
Features and Benefits
- Anti-Ghosting allows the user to press multiple keys to send complex commands and is highly recommended for the visually impaired
- Rainbow LED Backlighting reduces glare
- GTMX Blue Switch is suitable for users who want or need a distinct audible click with a strong sense of tactility
- Cherry Stabilizer prevents distortion, enhances durability, and enables reliable typing
- Ergonomic Keycap Configuration has different heights for precise key input and improved comfort
Limitation
The print on the keyboard is not very large.
Talking Wrist Watch
Small watch faces are a challenge for those who have visual issues. ATOMIC! Talking Wrist Watch will speak the time and date loudly and clearly at the push of a button.
Features and Benefits
- Set your time zone to have it automatically use the official U.S. Atomic Clock time
- Large easy-to-read numbers
- Illuminated hands that are easy to see
- Adjustable leather band
- Unisex styling
Limitations
Some users don’t like the fact that the watch is not very stylish. Others have reported that although the talking part of the watch tells the right time, sometimes the hands don’t.
Those who are unable to see clearly enough to set the time zone will have to have someone else do it.
Big Button Remote
Specifically designed for low vision, blind, and elderly people, the Flipper Big Button Remote makes watching TV easier.
Features and Benefits
- Set 25-30 of your favorite channels, eliminating the need to scroll to find what you want
- There is a setting lock to prevent mistakenly pressing the wrong button or accidentally reprogramming the remote
- Acts as a replacement universal remote for cable and TV
- Works with Infrared devices, including TVs, soundbars, and cable set-top boxes
- Offers a one-year warranty and telephone and email support
Limitations
Flipper doesn’t work with all cable boxes such as Xfinity. Some users have reported random behavior, and that it takes too much time to switch channels.
OrCam MyEye 2
OrCam MyEye 2 is an advanced wearable assistive device powered by artificial intelligence.
It is a lightweight smart camera for the blind and visually impaired that magnetically attaches to most eyeglass frames.
Features and Benefits
- Users of this product can recognize faces, products, and more in real-time
- The device is operated with voice-activated commands and hand gestures
- Small, portable, and wireless
- Doesn’t require an internet connection
- Available in multiple languages including English, Italian, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hebrew, German, Spanish, Polish Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Dutch, Czech, and Romanian
- Free training is available online
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
Limitations
Because the device gives users access to visual information conveyed by audio, people who are hearing impaired won’t be able to use it.
OrCam MyEye operates in part from hand gestures, so anyone using it must have full control of their hand and head movements.
A fully charged battery only lasts up to 2 hours and takes approximately 40 minutes to charge fully.
Some users stated that the price was excessively high.
Extra Large Talking Button Clock
The Extra Large Talking Button Clock is designed for the blind, visually impaired, or the elderly.
Features and Benefits
- Push the large blue button to hear what the time is
- Push the button again for the date
- The voice is an English American male
- Needs 3 AAA batteries (not included)
- Includes an alarm
- Has two voice settings, low and high
Limitations
The clock only speaks English.
The button on the bottom of the clock is small and makes it difficult to set the time, date and alarm.
The volume control is limited with only two settings. Even the low setting is very loud.
3X Large Full-Page Magnifier
The 3X Large Full Page Magnifier provides an evenly lit viewing area with 12 LED lights for the visually impaired.
Features and Benefits
- Legs flip out to enable reading an entire page easier without the need to move the magnifier
- Magnification up to 300% to read tiny print and reduce eye strain
- Text is not distorted
- 12 Ultra-bright built-in LEDs that last more than 25,000 hours without overheating or burning out
- Can be powered by a USB cable (included) or 3 AAA batteries (not included)
- Clear image quality and minimal distortion which is ideal for low vision consumers
- 11″ x 8.5″ size to cover a full-page
- Gentle and adjustable brightness levels (50%-100%)
- Hang it around your neck (lanyard included) for hands-free or hold it in your hand
- Portable and durable construction
Limitations
Some users have reported that images appear distorted.
If someone needs a magnification level higher than 3X, the product won’t work for them.
Handheld Portable Video Digital Magnifier
Koolertron 5.0-inch Handheld Portable Video Digital Magnifier is a mobile electronic reading aid for people with visual problems such as glaucoma, cataracts, optic atrophy, macular degeneration, low vision, nystagmus, and high myopia.
Features and Benefits
- 5-inch screen with 4-32X magnification
- Rechargeable batteries that last for 4 hours
- Multiple color modes
- Automatic shutdown after 2 minutes of non-use
- Double camera design for near and far view
- Automatic data storage to view and play at any time
- No light interference with electronic curtain
Limitation
This product is not recommended for the severely visually impaired.
Get your holiday shopping done early this year. Choose from any of the above gifts for friends, family members, and co-workers who are into technology and have visual impairments.
