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Essential Skills for Everyday Living with Vision Loss

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Woman sitting at desk using a magnifier to read a notepad. A bright table lamp lights the entire desktop.

Vision loss does not have to prevent you from living an active, healthy, fulfilling life. There are many tips and techniques you can learn on your own to retain your independence; in addition, vision rehabilitation services and instruction can provide you with techniques that can help you accomplish many daily living skills safely and independently.

In this section about living independently at home with vision loss, we provide tips, techniques, and useful equipment to help you accomplish many everyday household tasks, including personal self-care, getting around safely indoors and outdoors, using the telephone, reading and writing, home and kitchen safety, eating skills, cleaning, household organization, and shopping.

New to vision loss? Our Getting Started Kit can help.

  • Woman sitting in chair reading magazine. A bright floor lamp over the magazine and full light enters from the window behind her.

    Lighting

    Improving lighting may make some of the other items unnecessary.
  • A man uses the back of his hand against a wall to help guide him down a corridor.

    Senses

    The most important fundamental: Get used to info from the senses. It’s important to start this right away if lighting doesn’t eliminate all of the problems.

  • A man dialing a cell phone in his outstretched hand.

    Telephone

    Using the phone is vital. Solving common telephone problems for adults who are blind or have low vision.