Crucial Questions to Ask During Your Assistive Technology Consultation for Visual Independence

Introduction to Assistive Technology Consultations

Choosing the right tools starts with a clear, personalized conversation about your goals, daily tasks, and environment. In a professional assistive technology assessment, a specialist learns how you read mail, use a smartphone, watch TV, navigate, access work or school materials, and manage hobbies. They evaluate lighting, contrast needs, magnification levels, visual field or acuity changes, motor dexterity, hearing, and cognitive load to match you with low vision technology solutions that fit your life—not the other way around.

Expect a hands-on trial of vision impairment aids ranging from optical and electronic magnification to wearables and braille. At Florida Vision Technology, this often includes smart glasses for low vision (OrCam, Envision, Ally Solos, META), electronic vision glasses like the Vision Buddy Mini for TV and magnified streaming, handheld and desktop video magnifiers, multi-line braille tablets, braille embossers, OCR and reading devices, and accessible apps. Real-world tasks—like reading a prescription label, identifying currency, or joining a Zoom call—guide device selection.

Because independence depends on more than hardware, recommendations include training and support. You’ll discuss individualized or group instruction, in-person appointments or home visits, and ongoing follow-up. For employers and students, workplace or classroom evaluations identify access gaps and compatible solutions.

During an assessment, you can expect:

• Goal setting for home, travel, school, and work tasks
• Functional vision and access needs review (lighting, contrast, posture, ergonomics)
• Device trials with side-by-side comparisons
• Compatibility checks with your phone, computer, and preferred apps
• Training plan, funding options, and next steps

Arrive prepared with focused assistive technology consultation questions. For example:

• Which device best supports continuous text reading versus quick labels?
• How do AI features (text-to-speech, object recognition, scene description) perform in low light or noisy spaces?
• What are the differences between Vision Buddy Mini and other smart glasses for TV and distance viewing?
• Will this solution integrate with my screen reader, braille display, or workplace software?
• What training is included, and how long until typical users reach proficiency?
• What are repair, warranty, loaner, and return policies?
• Can we trial equipment at home or in my workspace before purchasing?

Thoughtful questions, paired with expert adaptive technology advice, lead to a tailored plan you can trust—so your tools fit your routines, vision, and goals today and as needs change.

Understanding Your Specific Vision Needs and Goals

Arrive with clear priorities so your clinician can tailor low vision technology solutions to your daily life. Bring a list of assistive technology consultation questions and recent eye reports. Be ready to describe how you see in different settings.

Ask personal-vision profile questions:

• What are my visual acuity, visual field, and contrast sensitivity, and how do they impact device choices?
• How do glare, lighting, color perception, and eye fatigue affect me, and how can we mitigate them?
• Is my condition stable or progressive, and can recommended vision impairment aids scale as needs change?
• Are there dexterity, hearing, or cognitive considerations that should guide device selection?

Clarify tasks and goals by environment:

• Home: reading mail, medication management, cooking, TV viewing, labeling, threading a needle.
• Community: bus schedules, menus, price tags, signs, facial cues, independent navigation.
• Work/school: computer use, spreadsheets, whiteboards, print handouts, meetings, presentations.

Targeted device questions to compare options:

• Smart glasses for low vision: Which features on OrCam, Envision, Ally Solos, or META will help me read text, recognize faces, identify products, or describe scenes? Can I try them on-site? How is battery life, weight, and fit over my prescription?
• TV and distance: Is Vision Buddy Mini appropriate for watching television or seeing a whiteboard? Will it connect to my streaming box or cable?
• Reading and writing: Should I use a handheld or desktop video magnifier? What magnification ranges, autofocus, OCR, and lighting controls match my tasks?
• Tactile access: Would a multi-line braille tablet help with maps, graphs, and diagrams? Do I need a braille embosser for hard-copy output?
• Mobility: Which navigation apps, beacons, or smart canes are suitable for my routes and comfort level?

Integration, training, and assessment:

• How will devices work with VoiceOver, TalkBack, JAWS, NVDA, braille displays, and my smartphone/PC?
• What does your assistive technology assessment include, and can we conduct parts during a home visit to address lighting and layout?
• What individualized and group training is provided, and how many sessions are typical?

Practicalities and protections:

• Costs, warranties, repair timelines, loaner availability, and firmware updates.
• Data privacy for AI features and any cloud processing; offline options when possible.
• Funding pathways and employer accommodations; documentation you can provide.

Outcomes and follow-up:

• How will we measure success (reading speed, task completion, navigation confidence), and when will we reassess to adjust adaptive technology advice?

Exploring Different Assistive Technology Device Options

Before you compare brands, anchor the discussion in your daily tasks. Bring a short list of priority activities—reading mail, watching TV, cooking, commuting, work or school software—so your assistive technology assessment can focus on real-life outcomes rather than specs alone.

Smart glasses for low vision

• Ask: Which use cases are strongest—printed text, faces, products, signage, scene description, or navigation hints?
• Clarify on-device vs cloud AI. Will it work offline? What data is stored?
• Comfort and fit: weight, heat, prescription lens support, and compatibility with a white cane or guide dog.
• Audio privacy: bone conduction vs speaker, Bluetooth earbud support.
• Battery life, swappable batteries, and all-day wearability.
• For TV viewing (e.g., Vision Buddy Mini): HDMI/streaming compatibility, latency, field of view, and brightness in different rooms.
• For OrCam, Envision, Ally Solos, and META: languages, handwriting/labels, barcodes, currency, and update cadence.

Video magnifiers (desktop and portable)

• What magnification range, autofocus speed, and field of view do I need for mail, medication labels, or hobbies?
• Contrast modes and glare control for specific eye conditions.
• Writing space and XY table for signing checks or crafts.
• Built‑in OCR and speech: accuracy with columns, low-contrast text, or glossy pages.
• Portability: screen size, battery life, and lighting in restaurants or classrooms.
• Connectivity: save images, export to PC/Mac, or mirror to a larger display.

Braille devices and embossers

• Multi‑line braille tablets: number of lines/cells, tactile graphics support, and how diagrams, maps, or math render.
• Compatibility with JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver; Bluetooth multipoint for switching between laptop and phone.
• Note‑taking, onboard apps, and durability for everyday carry.
• Embossers: dot quality, interpoint, tactile graphics capability, noise level, and network sharing in offices or classrooms.

Reading and OCR solutions

• Compare standalone readers, wearables, and mobile apps for speed, accuracy, and ease with curved books, receipts, or food packages.
• Ask about barcode/product databases and label workflows for home organization.

Work, school, and training considerations

• Will it integrate with your software (email, LMS, EMR) and IT policies?
• What training is included—individual, group, or remote—and how many hours?
• Trial/loaner options, return policy, warranty length, and repair turnaround.
• Funding pathways: vocational rehab, VA, employer accommodations, and private insurance.

Bring these assistive technology consultation questions to get adaptive technology advice tailored to your goals—and to ensure your low vision technology solutions genuinely improve independence.

Inquiring About Device Functionality and Features

Arrive with targeted assistive technology consultation questions so the device you choose maps to your real tasks, vision goals, and environments. Use your assistive technology assessment to probe how each option behaves in the situations you face most.

• Core tasks and environments

- Which daily activities does this device measurably improve (mail, medication labels, grocery aisles, classroom boards, TV)?

- How does it handle dim restaurants, glare outdoors, or noisy offices?

- Can you demonstrate reading speed before/after and distance performance in-store?

• Vision-specific performance

- What magnification range, contrast modes, and field of view are available for low vision technology solutions?

- How does it perform with central vs. peripheral field loss, tremors, or light sensitivity?

- What is the camera resolution, autofocus speed, and latency when moving between targets?

• Smart glasses capabilities

- For smart glasses for low vision (e.g., OrCam, Envision, META), which AI features run offline vs. require cloud? What are the privacy controls for faces, barcodes, and scenes?

- Can it read handwriting, columns, and complex layouts? Which languages are supported?

- Does it integrate with Aira or Be My Eyes for live assistance?

• TV, distance, and media

- With Vision Buddy Mini, how is TV streaming set up, and what is the typical usable distance in a living room?

- Can it enhance contrast for sports scores or captions? What latency should I expect?

• Input, audio, and accessibility

- Are controls voice, touch, or tactile buttons? Is there haptic feedback?

- Does audio work with Bluetooth hearing aids or bone-conduction headphones?

- Can it pair with iOS/Android screen readers, braille displays, or keyboards?

• Reading, braille, and output

- Can OCR export to BRF/Word/PDF for embossing? Which braille embossers and multi-line braille tablets are supported?

- How are tactile graphics handled, and which file types (e.g., SVG, PDF via Duxbury) are compatible?

• Comfort and safety

- Weight, battery life, and heat during extended wear?

- Is it safe for mobility, or “stationary use only”? Can it fit over prescription lenses?

• Updates, training, and cost of ownership

- Frequency of firmware updates and new AI features? Any subscription limits for cloud OCR?

- What individualized training is included, and are group sessions available later?

- Warranty length, loaner availability during repairs, and home-trial/return options?

These adaptive technology advice points help you compare vision impairment aids side by side and choose a solution that supports your independence all day—not just during a demo.

Discussing Training, Support, and Ongoing Services

Training and support determine whether your device becomes a daily tool or a drawer resident. Bring clear assistive technology consultation questions that map out how you’ll learn, practice, and get help long term.

Ask about the training roadmap

• What does the initial assistive technology assessment include, and how is the training plan individualized for my goals (reading mail, TV access, work tasks, travel)?
• How many sessions are typical, how long are they, and can I choose in-person, home visits, or remote options?
• Do you offer group classes as refreshers after individualized training?
• How do you train for specific devices like smart glasses for low vision (OrCam, Envision, Ally Solos, META), electronic vision glasses (Vision Buddy Mini), video magnifiers, multi-line braille tablets, and braille embossers?

Clarify skill-building specifics

• For Vision Buddy Mini: Will you cover connecting to TV sources, streaming apps, diopter adjustments, and glare management?
• For smart glasses: Will I learn scene description, product/barcode scanning, document capture, offline modes, and privacy best practices?
• For video magnifiers: Will you set up color/contrast presets, reading lines, and ergonomics?
• For braille tech: Will you teach file transfers, translation tables, and embossing workflows?

Define success metrics and practice

• What measurable milestones will we track (e.g., reading a bank statement, navigating store shelves, joining Zoom with a screen reader)?
• Will I receive accessible handouts, keyboard/gesture cheat sheets, and practice assignments?

Support and follow-up

• What ongoing support is included—phone, email, or remote screen-share? Response times?
• Are periodic check-ins scheduled to reassess low vision technology solutions as my needs change?
• Do you offer user groups or update briefings when AI features or firmware change?

Maintenance, updates, and risk reduction

• Who handles warranties, repairs, and loaners? Turnaround times?
• How are software and model updates managed for vision impairment aids?
• What are return, exchange, and upgrade policies?

Environment and integration

• Can training include workplace or school tasks, employer education, or caregiver coaching?
• Will you evaluate lighting, contrast, and device compatibility with my phone, PC, and accessibility apps?

Funding and access

• Do you provide adaptive technology advice on funding sources or documentation for employers/rehab agencies?

Florida Vision Technology offers evaluations across ages and employers, individualized and group training, and in-person or home visits—ask how these services can be tailored to your goals and timeline.

Considering Costs, Funding Options, and Warranties

Budget clarity starts with the total cost of ownership, not just the sticker price. During your assistive technology assessment, ask for an itemized estimate that includes hardware, required accessories, software licenses, training, and ongoing support. For example, smart glasses for low vision may ship with a base kit, but you might also need a spare battery, a charging dock, or a specific mount for your prescription frames.

Use these assistive technology consultation questions to get precise numbers and avoid surprises:

• What is the total cost of the device plus essential accessories for my use case?
• Are there subscription fees for AI features, cloud services, or OCR/translation? If so, what happens if I cancel?
• How many training hours are included, and what are the fees for additional individual or group sessions?
• Is there a fee for the initial evaluation, in-person appointments, or home visits? Are travel costs added for onsite training?
• What are typical maintenance costs (e.g., braille embosser service, battery replacement for video magnifiers, cable/camera replacements for smart glasses)?
• Can I trial the device at home? What is the return window, restocking fee, and condition requirements for wearables?
• How long is the repair turnaround, and are loaner units provided if something fails?
• Are firmware/software updates included for the life of the device?

Funding pathways vary by situation. Ask for adaptive technology advice tailored to your eligibility:

• State Vocational Rehabilitation (e.g., Florida Division of Blind Services) for employment, school, or job search.
• Veterans Affairs benefits for eligible veterans needing vision impairment aids.
• School district/IEP or university disability services for students.
• Employer-provided accommodations under the ADA; request a quote that supports a reasonable accommodation.
• Medicaid waivers or state assistive technology programs; Medicare typically does not cover most low vision technology solutions.
• Private grants and community organizations (e.g., Lions Clubs), plus state device loan libraries for try-before-you-buy.
• Payment plans, 0% financing promotions, or use of HSA/FSA/ABLE accounts for qualifying expenses.

Warranties are not all the same. Clarify:

• Coverage length and what’s included (electronics, cameras, batteries, cables).
• Accidental damage protection and availability of extended plans.
• Who handles service—manufacturer or Florida Vision Technology—and whether shipping is covered both ways.
• Software support and update cadence for AI-powered devices like OrCam, Envision, Ally Solos, META, or TV-viewing systems such as Vision Buddy Mini.

Concrete answers to these questions help you compare options side by side and choose the right mix of cost, reliability, and support for long-term visual independence.

Evaluating Compatibility with Existing Personal Devices

Before you fall in love with a device, make sure it plays nicely with what you already use. Bring these assistive technology consultation questions to your appointment so your assistive technology assessment covers real‑world compatibility, not just specs.

• Smartphones and tablets

- Which iOS/Android versions are supported? Will it work with VoiceOver or TalkBack out of the box?

- Does the companion app require an account, subscriptions, or specific permissions?

- Can settings/backups be transferred if I upgrade phones?

• Computers and workplace systems

- Are drivers needed for JAWS, NVDA, or Narrator, or does it use HID Braille?

- Will it run inside Citrix/VDI, or on a locked‑down employer laptop without admin rights?

- Are there keyboard shortcuts and screen reader announcements for all features?

• Smart glasses for low vision

- For AI‑enabled glasses (e.g., OrCam, Envision, Ally Solos, Meta), which features work offline vs. requiring Wi‑Fi or cellular data?

- How do video calling and remote assistance integrate with my contacts and preferred calling app?

- Does Bluetooth 5.0/LE matter, and is my phone compatible?

• TV and media viewing

- For electronic vision glasses like Vision Buddy Mini, will it connect to my TV, cable box, or streaming device via HDMI? Are there HDCP limitations?

- How far can the wireless transmitter reach, and will it interfere with my home Wi‑Fi?

- Can I watch live TV and use streaming apps from the same setup?

• Braille devices and embossers

- Will my multi‑line braille tablet or display pair with iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS? Any known conflicts with JAWS or NVDA versions?

- For embossers, are network print queues, BRF/BRL formats, and translation tables supported on my system?

• Vision impairment aids and peripherals

- Do video magnifiers share output to my monitor via HDMI/USB‑C?

- Can the device pair with my hearing aids or bone‑conduction headset?

• Data, privacy, and updates

- Where is OCR or image data processed—on‑device or cloud? Can cloud features be disabled for work?

- How are firmware updates delivered, and what happens when my OS updates?

• Practicalities

- Charging: USB‑C or proprietary? Battery life under continuous use?

- Cases, mounts, or straps that fit my existing cane, glasses, or workstation?

Ask for adaptive technology advice on configuring your existing tech during training. Low vision technology solutions are most effective when they integrate smoothly with your daily ecosystem; Florida Vision Technology can test setups in‑office or during home visits to confirm everything works end‑to‑end.

What to Expect After Your Consultation

After your assistive technology assessment, expect a clear, written plan that prioritizes your goals and daily tasks. You’ll receive a summary of findings, recommended devices and software, and the rationale behind each choice—organized around activities like reading mail, managing medications, cooking, using a computer, or navigating independently.

Recommendations typically blend low vision technology solutions with training. For example:

• Reading and print access: a desktop or portable video magnifier, OrCam for instant text reading, or Vision Buddy Mini for TV and large-screen viewing.
• Mobility and scene description: smart glasses for low vision such as Envision, OrCam, Ally Solos, or META, with guidance on when each is most effective.
• Work and study: multi-line braille tablets for tactile access to diagrams or code, braille embossers for hard-copy documents, and screen readers or magnification on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

You’ll be offered hands-on demos in-store or via a home visit. Devices will be configured to your preferences—contrast and magnification levels, speech rate and verbosity, tactile markers, gesture shortcuts, and braille display pairing. When available, short-term evaluations or loaner opportunities are discussed so you can test solutions in your real environments. You’ll also receive a simple comparison checklist to track performance across lighting conditions and tasks.

A detailed quote will outline pricing, warranty terms, and anticipated timelines for delivery and setup. You’ll get adaptive technology advice on potential funding pathways such as state vocational rehabilitation, VA benefits, school district supports, employer accommodations under the ADA, and relevant nonprofit grants. If multiple options meet your needs, you’ll see side-by-side costs and total cost of ownership (batteries, consumables, maintenance).

Training and onboarding are scheduled to build your skills step by step. Expect individualized sessions—often 1–3 to start—covering core operation, OCR workflows, cloud features, app integrations, and safety practices. For larger equipment like video magnifiers, installation and workspace ergonomics are addressed.

Follow-up is proactive. You’ll have a check-in (commonly at 30–60 days) to fine-tune settings, verify task success, and adjust the mix of vision impairment aids if needed. Support includes firmware updates, warranty registration, and advice on data privacy for AI features. Return and exchange policies vary by manufacturer; your specialist will clarify.

Before your follow-up, note any new challenges and bring additional assistive technology consultation questions so your plan continues to match your changing needs.

Empowering Your Visual Independence

The right assistive technology consultation questions can transform your evaluation into a clear roadmap for visual independence. Arrive with specific daily goals and be ready to test devices in conditions that match your real life—your living room lighting, your workplace tasks, and the materials you actually read.

Use these targeted prompts to guide your assistive technology assessment:

• Goals and environments: Which top three activities do I want to improve (e.g., reading mail, TV viewing, cooking, commuting)? Can we simulate my home/office lighting and contrast challenges during the demo?
• Visual profile match: Given my central/peripheral vision and contrast sensitivity, which low vision technology solutions are most appropriate—portable video magnifiers, desktop CCTV, or smart glasses for low vision? How will glare control and color/contrast filters be configured?
• Device capabilities: For AI-driven smart glasses (e.g., OrCam, Envision, META, Ally Solos, Vision Buddy Mini), what are the core use cases—text reading, scene description, object recognition, TV enhancement? Which features work offline, and what’s the latency, field of view, and battery life?
• Comfort and ergonomics: How heavy are the glasses, can they fit over my prescription frames, and what tactile or voice controls are available if I have limited dexterity or hearing?
• Integration with other tools: Will this device work with my iPhone/Android screen reader, Windows/Mac, or Bluetooth braille display? Can multi-line braille tablets and braille embossers produce tactile graphics I need for work or school?
• Training and follow-up: How many hours of individualized training are included, and are group sessions available? What’s the schedule for refreshers as my needs change?
• Trials and returns: Can I trial the device at home/work, and for how long? What are the return, warranty, repair turnaround, and loaner policies? How are firmware updates handled, and are there subscription fees?
• Workplace and school: Can you conduct an on-site employer assessment to align vision impairment aids with my job tasks, and provide documentation for accommodations?
• Safety and mobility: How do smart canes or haptic navigation pair with wearables? Is there conflict with a long cane or guide dog harness?
• Funding and documentation: What funding options exist (state VR, VA, nonprofits, employer), and will you provide the reports needed to support funding decisions based on the assistive technology assessment?

Bring real materials—prescriptions, bills, textbooks, device logins—and ask for adaptive technology advice tailored to your routines. Florida Vision Technology can demo options like Vision Buddy Mini, OrCam, Envision, video magnifiers, and braille solutions, and provide in-person or home visits to ensure each recommendation fits your environment.

Call to Action

Call 800-981-5119 to schedule a complimentary one-on-one consultation!