The story below about the traveling Lighthouse Low Vision Technology Shows appeared in the suburban edition of the Chicago Tribune on February 17, 2011.  Courtesy of Triblocal:
 
 
Products, services for visually impaired on display Thursday

By Janice Neumann Special to the Tribune Yesterday at 5:35 p.m.
After searching for an easy-to-read thermostat for her mother, who has macular degeneration, Mary Jo Vincent came across the Chicago Lighthouse, a social service agency for the blind and visually impaired.

Vincent, Palos Hills’ resources and recreation commissioner, was so thrilled with the plethora of technology offered by the Chicago organization that she invited representatives to the village to showcase some of the items.

Technology specialists will be demonstrating products from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, at the Palos Hills Community Center, 8455 W. 103rd St. Items will also be for sale. Information is available at 708-430-4500.

“I think a lot of people look for the items, but they’re hard to find,” said Vincent.
Products will include talking clocks and watches, large button phones, closed-circuit televisions, portable reading devices, talking microwaves, talking coffee pots and large-frame sunglasses. Prices range from roughly $20 to $2,900.

“I myself have had low vision since I was in my 20s, and I use many of these products every day,” said Tom Perski, senior vice president/rehabilitation services for the Lighthouse. “The only way I could work is to use these,” said Perski.

Perski said he has a talking calculator, large-print keyboard and software that enlarges the text on the computer at work and has used closed-circuit TV for reading mail, writing checks and filling
The Lighthouse offers a number of programs and services for low-vision and blind individuals, including a clock-making facility, which offers jobs for the visually impaired, a school for blind and multi-disabled children, a library, a low-vision clinic, a technology center, and a store with assistive devices.

More information is at http://chicagolighthouse.org.