 |
 |
 |
 |
   |
The Partially Sighted Society provides information, advice, equipment and clear print material for people with a visual impairment to help them to make the best use of their remaining sight. The Society can call on the skills of ophthalmologists, optometrists, lighting and rehabilitation specialists.
The PSS set out to find ways of helping people to make the best use of their vision, however minimal that amount of vision. The aim is to concentrate on assistance which would involve a minimum cost, minimum inconvenience and as little as possible reliance on ‘specialist’ equipment. In other words, to keep things as close as possible to 'normal' while improving the ability to see. Some of the methods developed include the provision of clear print material, suitable lighting arrangements, and optical aids such as magnifiers and teaching new ways of ‘looking’.
There is not a lot of research on how those with a visual impairment can best be presented with information on a monitor screen. Loughborough University experimented with trans-illuminated pages, i.e. translucent material with black print lit from behind, similar to what you are seeing on this screen. This was found preferable by some, but has the disadvantage for everyday use that material could be printed only on one side.
Some, however, found the material too bright and the 'glare' reduced the clarity of their vision. To see if we can improve the visibility of this web-site it is also produced in reversed contrast. Do view it and let us know which you prefer. feedback@partsight.org.uk
Some of the information on this site can be downloaded as a PDF file. To view this you will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader. A free copy can be obtained from the link on the 'Information' page.
April 25, 2011