Record Keeping

Access Your Financial Information with a Computer

Thanks to online banking, managing finances, keeping track of bank accounts, paying bills, and reviewing bank statements have become more accessible to people who are blind or have low vision. Many banks now offer separate “pages” on their websites with specific instructions for users with screen readers.

In addition to your bank account, you can also access utility bills, credit card statements, and other accounts online. These online services allow you to review your monthly bills and manage your finances independently.

Use A Commercial Ledger

Commercial check ledgers are available in various large print sizes at most stationary stores. However, most large print ledgers provide writing spaces that range from 1/2″ to 1″ high, which may not be large enough for your reading and writing needs.

Design Your Ledger

You can make a check ledger using a three-ring notebook and plain paper. Use each page to write as large as you need to track the check number, amount, and balance brought forward.

Organizing Mail, Bills, and Documents

Try some of these organizational hints for mail, catalogs, bills, and documents:

  • Identify a trusted friend or family member to help you read and sort your mail.
  • Commit to reading, sorting, and filing all new papers once a week or at a regularly scheduled time.
  • Designate a specific drawer in the kitchen or a basket on the counter to hold your mail.
  • Create a designated location for mail that are most likely bills and letters.
  • Use file folders in different colors or sizes, large/medium-sized manila envelopes, or in/out stacking trays to sort your mail.
  • More extensive catalogs and magazines are usually easy to distinguish from regular-sized envelopes.
  • Advertisements often come in odd-sized envelopes, but if you are in doubt, place them in the exact location as your bills and letters and ask your reader to sort through them.
  • The system choice is yours, but try to be consistent when setting up and using whatever mail organization system you select.
  • Invest in a simple paper shedder. Shred all “throw-away” documents, including your name, address, Social Security number, or financial information.
  • Shred and purge documents, bills, and papers over seven years old.
  • Consider keeping one-of-a-kind documents, such as birth certificates and insurance policies, in a locked fire-safe box.
  • Give duplicates of important documents to a family member or use a safety deposit box at your bank.