Audio-aided visual reading: a one year status report

Audio-aided visual reading: a one year status report

One year ago (September, 2015), I wrote about a new reading system I was implementing combining vision and audio support. It was a newly acquired skill which I could not do prior to that point in time. This reading combination takes the edge of gaze fixation and eye tracking while…continue reading →
Getting a motorcycle license with binocular vision issues and without stereo vision

Getting a motorcycle license with binocular vision issues and without stereo vision

STEP 1: theoretical exam On November 20th, 2015 I passed the theoretical exam in order to pursue a motorcycle license. The test consists of 50 multiple choice questions about Belgian traffic regulations as they apply specifically to users of a motorcycle. Studying for this already posed a barrier as I have severe reading…continue reading →
What can Icarus teach us about learning with limitations?

What can Icarus teach us about learning with limitations?

Michael Lievens May 3rd, 2016 "During the fall of 2015 I discovered these open source textbooks at www.lightandmatter.com. I use the open source PDF to generate an audio file of the text with my text-to-speech software. Meanwhile I also bought the two Simple Nature books with a much appreciated Strabismus World…continue reading →

FAQ: How to deal with an ‘invisible’ but real vision disability?

MY ORIGINAL POST Michael Lievens "Currently, I can do almost everything a normal person can. If not, I use aids like audio assistance. The worrisome part is that no matter what activity involving a lot of eye movement, I get exhausted after two or three hours max. Then my reconversion…continue reading →
INTERVIEW: “At age 58 I can finally see properly for the first time ever. I am finally at peace.”

INTERVIEW: “At age 58 I can finally see properly for the first time ever. I am finally at peace.”

MICHAEL: Hello K! Who are you and where do you live now? K: I was born in 1958 in the Cherokee Nation in the state of Arkansas. My ancestors were from the Eastern Band of Cherokees and migrated south from the Trail of Tears. I lived there from 1958-60  when we moved…continue reading →
Sartre’s Strabismus: Exotropic Existentialism

Sartre’s Strabismus: Exotropic Existentialism

I usually don't simply repost material from other blogs but I wanted to preserve these snippets about Sartre in my records. Many thanks to Dr. Leonard Press from the Vision Help Blog for sharing this information. In his blog entry, he refers to a book called "At the existentialist café" by…continue reading →

The paradox of wearing my eye glasses

My prescription glasses are +2.5 for farsightedness (hyperopia) on either side with some astigmatism in the left eye. Due to rigidity after strabismus surgery I have lagging eye movements and some degree of both divergence and convergence insufficiency. What are the effects of those glasses? Close range work / reading…continue reading →
How do binocular vision issues interfere with participation in society?

How do binocular vision issues interfere with participation in society?

A reading disability rooted in binocular vision issues pretty much excludes one from serious academic, socio-economic and democratic participation. Reading means the crucial freedom to advance and inform oneself without being dependent on others. If the vision problem also interferes with close-up manual labour, fine visio-motor skills and driving skills,…continue reading →