Online Shopping and Banking: Accessibility for People with Visual Impairments
Whether you are employed, receiving Social Security retirement or disability payments, or living off your savings and investments, as a person with a visual impairment you are just as much a consumer as anyone else. You need to shop for groceries, clothing, furniture, pots, and pans the same as everyone else you know. You may have a sighted spouse who has taken over these chores, or perhaps you rely on family, friends, or a paid personal assistant to accompany you on shopping trips.
Believe it or not, a host of accessible shopping can be found online by using a computer outfitted with a screen reader, or a mobile phone running a built-in touchscreen reader. In this guide, we will introduce you to just a few of the myriad online storefronts you can use to buy everything from a box of spaghetti to a suite of new bedroom furniture. Utilizing these resources can definitely enhance your independent living skills. Of course, after you exercise your newfound shopping skills you are going to need to pay for your purchases, and you’ll want to know exactly how much cash you have left on hand. So we will wind up this guide with a discussion of online and app-based accessible payment options and banking.
For this guide, we will assume you have at least some experience using either a computer with a screen reader or an accessible mobile smartphone. If not, we encourage you to check out Using a Computer with a Visual Impairment: A Beginner’s Guide to Computer Accessibility and Cell Phones, Tablets, and Other Mobile Technology for Users with Visual Impairments.
This article was written and published by the American Foundation for the Blind. To read the article in its entirety, you can visit this link https://www.afb.org/blindness-and-low-vision/using-technology/online-shopping-and-banking-accessibility-people-visual
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If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with Macular Degeneration, we have prepared a 12-part eBook <Click here to download a PDF of the entire report.>
To learn more about how we can Bring Hope to people who are blind or with low vision, contact a Technology Specialist at New England Low Vision and Blindness to learn more. You can also call our toll free number 888-211-6933 or email us at info@nelowvision.com.
Our two(2) state-of-the-art technology showrooms are a wonderful resource, showcasing a variety of leading electronic low vision magnifiers and blindness products. You can schedule an appointment with one of our Technology Specialist who can help you find the right technology, training and care solution.
If you cannot come to us, our staff can even drive out and bring our Vision Store to you, for a no-obligation product demonstration. We offer a comprehensive line of products including electronic magnification low vision aids, blindness products, and leading low vision products for people with glaucoma, macular degeneration and other forms of vision loss.
