Everyday living aids
Small tools that answer everyday questions: What time is it? Which can is soup? Is this a five or a twenty? Here is what to look for in each.
In this guide
- Talking watch
- Talking alarm clock
- Braille label maker
- Money identifier
- Organizing and labeling supplies
Talking watch
Press a button and the watch speaks the time. Many also announce the date and have spoken alarms.
What to check before buying
- A large, easy-to-find talk button.
- Volume control, or a quiet mode for meetings.
- Setting the time should not require reading the display. Look for reviews that mention setting it by ear.
- If you prefer silent time-telling, search for a tactile or braille watch instead.
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Talking alarm clock
A talking clock on the nightstand tells you the time in the dark without reaching for your phone.
What to check before buying
- One large button on top for announcing the time.
- Buttons with different shapes for setting the alarm.
- Battery backup, so it keeps time during power outages.
Braille label maker
A braille labeler embosses braille on plastic tape, so you can label jars, files, medicine, and spice containers.
What to check before buying
- Whether it uses a dial or a braille keyboard. A keyboard is faster if you already know braille.
- Which tape widths and refills it takes, and whether refills are easy to find.
- Tape with strong adhesive for cans and jars that go in the fridge.
Money identifier
A money identifier tells you the value of a paper bill by voice or vibration.
Before you buy: eligible blind and visually impaired people in the United States can get a free currency reader through the Bureau of Engraving and Printing's U.S. Currency Reader Program. Smartphone apps can also identify bills. Consider a separate device mainly if you want something that works without your phone.
Organizing and labeling supplies
Rubber bands, elastic hair ties, and different shaped containers are simple ways to tell similar items apart by touch.
- Pill organizers with braille or raised letters for each day.
- Clothing tags or safety pins in different shapes to mark colors.
- Bins with distinct textures for pantry groups.
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