Holiday Gifts for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Sometimes special needs people are forgotten over the holidays. People with disabilities should be respected and included in the season for giving. One example is people who are blind. Of course, you can always get something in Braille, but blind people appreciate creativity, too! Here is a list of gift ideas for people who are blind or visually impaired.

1. Audio puzzles. Audio puzzles come in many varieties and prices. One version is a puzzle that must be figured out logically utilizing audio clues broadcast from a CD. Another functions more like a memory match game, where every piece that is touched makes a sound.

2. A talking compass. This could be a handy gift for that blind person who likes to explore the outdoors or someone who recently lost their site and is trying to acquire a sense of direction. Some versions of this compass are even bilingual! They cost between $15 and $30.

3. Voice recorder-MP3 player for the blind. These feature large, Braille-enhanced buttons for specific controls. The Milestone 311 model also has five voice-controlled folders to separate the audio files into and an expansion slot to add additional hours of play.

4. Video games. Some video game manufacturers create computer game versions that have audio-based controls and events. A blind or visually impaired person can enjoy video gaming just as much as the sighted person likes this! Pacman is one example of a game that can be found designed for the blind. These games run around $40.

5. Screen Reading Software. There is software for computers that reads screen information for the blind. The most popular software like this is called JAWS. JAWS is an amazing product that works with most any soundcard to turn words on screen into sound! Most JAWS programs also have Braille hotkeys included in the packages. Depending on the version and brand, you can purchase one between $100 and $1200.

6. Talking Pedometer. Hey, blind people want to stay in shape, too! A talking pedometer will help a blind or visually impaired person keep up with the number of steps, distance, and calories burned as they perform exercise routines or take walks around the neighborhood. These are usually priced between $15 and $20.

7. Toys for a guide dog. If you know of a blind person with a guide dog, he or she would appreciate gifts for that dog just to keep it happy. Guide dogs are highly trained and work a lot more than the average dog, so getting one a toy to play with can be a stress reliever for the dog and the owner.