Following A Dream

Posted July 25, 2022 by Beth in

Randy has been working on a book series for years and is getting closer and closer to a publication date.  He is now in the process of editing the first book which can be very tedious.  This task can be even more difficult with a vision loss like Randy has.  Randy was able to obtain an OrCam My Eye Pro with the assistance of RCIL’s low vision and blindness program, iKan-RCIL.  When Mandy Smith, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, met with Randy she found out he was interested in a device that would not only help with editing his book but also allow him to read signage while traveling. Orcam is an assistive technology (AT) device that can help a person: read print, identify faces, and identify objects and products.  It works by using a camera that is mounted to a pair of glasses and the person can either touch the device on the side or use hand gestures in front of the camera.  Randy is loving the independence this devices allows him to have.  Randy has used the device to identify money, read books (including his own), read items on his cell phone and tablet, and read medicine bottles. “Overall, I am really happy with it” Randy said about the OrCam.

Pictured: Randy is using the OrCam My Eye Pro to read a book.  The OrCam is attached to Randy’s glasses on the right side of his face.  Randy is pointing at the book to gesture to the device to read that page.

Beth

Beth has been with RCIL since 2007 and is the Information and Outreach Coordinator in our Osage City office. She takes information and referral calls and represents RCIL through community outreach.

Related Articles

Enhanced Living Independently

By Beth | January 9, 2026

RCIL Independent Living Specialist, Kayla, first met Angela in June when she was in a nursing facility in Topeka with the goal of returning to the community. She was 41 years old and had been living at the nursing home for the last 10 years. She is an individual with a brain injury and has become deaf. She voiced wishes…

KDADS to Launch Statewide Home- and Community-Based Services Assessing Organization with Maximus on June 30, 2025 

By Beth | July 2, 2025

KanCare (Kansas Medicaid) can provide services for Kansans with different conditions and needs through the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver program. This program allows the state to waive certain Medicaid program requirements and provide services for Kansans in their community instead of an institution, such as a nursing home. The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)…

Utilizing Resources to Access Services

By Beth | May 21, 2025

When an Independent Living Specialist with RCIL first met Marvin, age 65, he was living in a transitional home with at least a dozen or so other men and women. His number one concern was simple: maintaining independence and autonomy. His goal was clear- move out of transitional housing into his own apartment by January of 2025. The challenge was…