White Cane Safety Day provides options for blind veterans

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- While advances in technology provide convenience for many of us, they can be life-changing for others. Some veterans learned that first hand during White Cane Safety Day on Friday, October 18th at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center.

It was a chance for people who are blind or visually impaired to have a firsthand look at some of the latest technology available to them.

VIST, the Visual Impairment Services Team and VIVA, the Visually Impaired Veterans Activities support group joined forces for White Cane Safety Day at the VA Hospital.

Some of the items displayed included talking medical aids such as thermometers, a device called "script talk" which identifies prescriptions, and programs which make computers more accessible and usable. Not only is all of this available, but for veterans it comes at no cost.

“These devices are very costly and because of being a veteran, they've earned this benefit,” said Jean Qualler, Program Support Assistant for the Low Vision Clinic.

There are also programs available to teach veterans how to use the equipment.

“In this program they get these devices, they become active and part of society again,” said Qualler.

Veterans who attended Friday’s event say the advances in technology are amazing and help out more than they ever could have imagined.

“I could do things I thought I’d never be able to do,” said visually impaired veteran Stan Steingold, “I got reading machines, I got a computer, and it has zoom text so I can use it and see it fairly good.”

Organizers of even say the goal is to show veterans their options to keep as much independence as possible.

“What can’t you do that you used to do? That's the types of things they want to hear because that's what they miss most,” said Qualler.

White Cane Safety Day was open to the public. The event also provided those in attendance with valuable information about the VA's Central Blind Rehabilitation Center.