Vision loss - recreational activities (2024)

Books and magazines

Many books and magazines are available in audio, large print and Braille. Many vision loss agencies, such as Vision Australia, offer a free borrowing system for books in other formats.

Cards, chess and other games

Games equipment can be adapted in various ways to suit a person who is blind or has low vision, such as:

• Braille versions – some of the games available in Braille versions include chess, playing cards, Monopoly, Ludo and Bingo.
• Tactile versions – some games equipment, such as dominoes or dice, have raised numbers that are easily distinguishable by touch.
• Large print versions – many games are available in large print, including cards, Bingo, crosswords and Scrabble.

Cooking

A normal kitchen can be easily adapted to suit a person who is blind or has low vision. Suggestions include:

• Common settings on equipment, such as the oven temperature control, can be marked with brightly coloured or tactile tags.
• Recipes are available in audio or large print formats.
• Use marked measuring equipment or talking scales.
• Brightly coloured or tactile tags help to indicate the top or bottom of equipment such as knives.
• Pre-prepared ingredients, like sauces, can simplify cooking.

Craft

Craftwork is tactile by nature and many activities can be adapted to suit a person who is blind or has low vision. These include:

• Basket weaving
• Pottery
• Knitting
• Painting
• Chinese brush painting.

Exercising at home

Stationary exercise equipment readily available for purchase or hire includes:

• Bicycles
• Rowing machines
• Treadmills.

Gardening

A person who is blind or has low vision will need to orient themselves in their garden and find ways to tell the difference between plants and weeds. Suggestions include:

• A basic layout with straight and uniform garden beds
• Sticks to mark the borders of each garden bed
• Reference markers such as trees, large rocks or garden ornaments
• Flowers with heavy scents and brightly coloured petals
• A brightly coloured strip down the centre of any pathways
• The use of mulch in garden beds to reduce weeds
• Permanent irrigation systems, such as underground tubing, which can be operated by simply turning on the garden tap
• Light gardening tools that can be held in one hand
• An apron with plenty of pockets or a utility belt to hold the gardening equipment
• Confined miniature gardens, such as flowers grown in pots or containers, which need little attention.

Music

A person can listen to music with a radio or CD, cassette or record player. Learning to play an instrument involves playing by ear, using screen-enlarging equipment or the Braille system of music notation.

Radio, television and the Internet

Entertainment services include:

• In most capital cities, a dedicated radio station network (RPH) provides news, information and entertainment for people who are unable to read standard printed material.
• More films now feature audio description.
• Audio-described films on CD are available for those who are blind or have low vision.
• Audio entertainment on the Internet includes music, radio stations from all over the world and conferences.

Telephone services

Services for people who are blind or have low vision include:

• The daily news can be accessed by phone – in Victoria it is read by volunteers, while in most other states an artificial voice system is used. A touch-button function allows the listener to select different sections of the newspaper.
• Groups of up to five people at a time can work together to solve the crossword in the daily paper, with a volunteer acting as the go-between.

Accessing specialised equipment

Many organisations, such as Vision Australia, can provide equipment and advice.

Where to get help

• Your GP (doctor)
• Your vision specialist
• Vision loss organisations
• Vision Australia Tel. 1300 84 74 66