August 11, 2025
When I began making plans to retire in 2012, I did not include going blind among those plans. As with many Americans, Advanced Macular Degeneration, or AMD, can attack us whether we are ready or not.
By 2015, I had to stop driving. I gave away a lot of my power tools and backpacking toys, preparing myself for a less active life. I also cut back on many things, including my work with World English Institute as an Internet teacher.
One day, I realized that my total problem was not my level of blindness. My problem was not realizing the potential of better using what I had left. I was introduced to enhanced magnification tools and computer software that could magnify everything on the computer screen and read it to me. I learned how my smart phone could not only read to me, but utilizing GPS technology, gives me walking directions to the nearest Starbucks, or any other place around me. I was trained to use the white cane to allow more freedom in movement without the fear of tripping or falling off a curb or down a flight of stairs. I became more confident, safe, and qualified to find my own way. At the same time, electronic devices and software that can read to me opened up new possibilities for World English Institute.
I use a desktop computer with a large screen. As a blinded veteran of the Vietnam War, I receive a few extra benefits provided by the VA. One of those is a software program called “Zoom Text.” I use it with my WEI lessons to enlarge the text to about one inch high whenever I actually read something. Otherwise, the software reads each word, sentence, or page to me. I have also discovered that a Windows computer can also magnify and speak text. With Zoomtext, I can select a student, hear the grade, and write comments or communicate with my student. WEI has created a unique structure whereby they do all the work, and the teacher gets all the credit. The students think their teachers are amazing. Thank you, WEI, for making us look good although the teachers know you deserve the credit.
In addition to the desktop and the overpriced software I use, I also have my Apple IPAD that I use. Apple created something called “Voiceover.” Once you activate Voiceover, everything you touch on the IPAD will be spoken to you. It may take some work for some people to get used to using Voiceover, but in the end, the possibilities are endless.
I can also do my WEI lessons on my IPHONE, the same way as the IPAD. There are also free APPS available for low visioned tech lovers.
Nothing can take the place of a person’s vision, but technology can enhance one’s remaining vision and allow us to be more complete. I am confident that if I lost my remaining vision, I could still maintain my level of commitment to WEI by using my current technology.
For those of you living with blindness or low vision and would like the help of technology to help you with WEI, I would be happy to share what I know. Blindness does not define us. It is merely an inconvenience; an obstacle that requires a change of direction. You are very welcome to contact me if you would like help. (mikethomas46@gmail.com)
W.E.I. THANKS ALL OF YOU!!
WEI would not be able to reach people in all nations with the word of God without your support, contributions, and donations
