More Visually Impaired Adults Seeking Help Staying Connected During Pandemic

Access to public health information - and the accompanying safeguards put in place to protect people during the pandemic - play a crucial role in mitigating the stress of contracting the coronavirus, but those with vision loss have faced disproportionate vulnerabilities from living in extended isolation.

For the nearly 300,000 residents of Illinois with vision impairments, clinical depression and anxiety disorders resulting from living in extended isolation during COVID-19 is being reported at nearly three times the level than the general population.

Individuals with low vision or are blind have long-relied on their personal networks of family members, friends and others to navigate daily life. However, since COVID-19 many have since lost this support, leaving them largely alone to stay informed and keep in touch with others, both of which are vital for maintaining mental and physical wellness.

Since the start of the pandemic Winnetka-based Hadley, the nation's oldest and largest provider of free distance learning for those with vision loss, has seen a surge in enrollment for classes designed to keep the visually impaired connected to expert help and with others like them struggling from losing their support networks during the pandemic, including new learning modules for those with vision loss on how to use Zoom, as well as how to access special low vision features on their cell phones, smart devices, and computers.

"We have been experiencing record levels of participation in Hadley's free instructional offerings during the pandemic. Our workshops, podcasts and discussion groups provide practical tips on how to stay engaged using technology as well as other tools for those with low vision or blindness, helping them navigate life during lockdown or while in quarantine," says Julie Tye, Hadley President and CEO.

While many businesses and public spaces have introduced new layouts or restrictions to try and limit the spread of the virus. These adjustments actually make places harder for visually impaired people to navigate - meaning they may go out less, including sometimes forgoing needed medical services for degenerative eye disorders.

Hadley recently overhauled its digital footprint, Hadley.edu, which takes a dramatically different approach to reaching an audience that is becoming increasingly difficult to reach during the pandemic, primarily older adults facing vision loss related to diseases such as macular degeneration and glaucoma. Built on many months of research and development work, the new platform is entirely based on the needs and wants of visually impaired adults to keep them connected, engaged and informed.