by Amy Gendreau, RDPFS Intern
Observed around the world at various times of year, the United States will be celebrating Father’s Day on June 16th this year. As we reflect on ways the fathers in our lives have influenced us, this is the perfect opportunity to show appreciation with a few gift ideas, ranging in variety and price, discovered in the writing of this article. First, a few sources, such as the Braille Bookstore, offer a number of braille Father’s Day cards for purchase and many gifts, such as talking key chains, watches, braille games, and more. Etsy is another source for cards and gifts for fathers like tactile art and tee shirts with braille. At the higher end of the budget scale (approximately $500), the BlindShell Classic 2 Cell Phone is specifically tailored to the needs of people with vision loss and, according to product reviews, it seems to be hitting the mark. To find out more about the product, visit the webpage on the BlindShell Classic 2 cell phone. For the active Dad, an all-terrain cane might be the gift that hits the spot and supports him on snowy sidewalks or sandy beaches. Established by a former pilot and fire-firefighter, Awarewolf Gear is the manufacturer and distributor of the All-Terrain Cane (ATC) as well as the Urban Explorer, a light, foldable mobility cane. For details, read the Awarewolf webpage on the All-Terrain cane. These are a few examples of items that can be purchased. Following are some suggestions of other types of gifts that can be presented to thank the Dad in your life.
Helpful Podcasts and Apps
Gift-givers may also inform fathers about a few podcasts that explore topics from technology options and advances, to work-life balance, to other often humorous stories of everyday life with low vision or blindness, Specially highlighted here are:
Life After Sight Loss, where listeners can “find encouragement and information on discovering life after sight loss;”
The Blind Life, the companion channel to the YouTube channel of the same name; and
Low Vision Moments, a podcast that presents “those funny, potentially embarrassing experiences that happen in everyday life when you are blind or partially sighted.”
And finally, be sure to connect dad with some practical and useful apps, such as Seeing AI and GoodMaps. Seeing AI can be used in performing daily tasks from reading, to describing photos, to identifying products, to name a few. GoodMaps provides audio description for indoor navigation.
Remember that there is no substitute for spending in-person (or Zoom or other online) time with the father in your life.
Happy Father’s Day to all who celebrate!
