DRIVING, LOW VISION & THE DMV

Most people, regardless of their vision status, like to drive. Being able to hop behind the wheel and take off is important to one’s identity and independence. I used to take this mobility for granted. That changed on December 26, 2014.

That cold, wintry night I came inches from hitting a parked car. It was my Come-to-Jesus moment. I had been living in denial for over a decade. Over this time my vision continued to decline but I kept telling myself: “My vision isn’t really that bad.” This was despite ample proof to the contrary. The truth was that my vision problems were putting me and other folks at risk.

Since then I have become a student of low vision. I do drive now but only in limited situations. I never drive at night or during days that are cloudy, misty or dark. I limit my driving to three miles or so around my house. I know these streets and two freeways like the back of my hand.  I never drive outside this zone. (I’ve become an avid Uber customer.)

ENTER THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES – "THE DMV”

One day I received an unexpected notification (shown on the left) from the Minnesota DMV that said: It is necessary that your doctor express an opinion as to whether your vision will permit the safe operation of a motor vehicle.

The next sentence really got my attention: Failure to comply with this request by November 25, 2015 will result in the cancellation of your Minnesota driving privileges.

My first thought was that my private medical records must have been compromised. That wasn't what happened.  When I registered with Minnesota State Services for the Blind (SSB) their policy was/is to notify the DMV.

I was angry at first but I realized it was a logical thing for SSB to do. When someone applies for assistance from SSB, it is reasonable to ask if they have the necessary vision to drive safely.

Fortunately, I have an eye doctor. He examined me and filled out the form on the right. The key question was whether he would sign it. He told me: "It was close, but you made it!" Whew...

A couple of months after this happened I received a notification from the DMV that it was time for my Driver’s License to be renewed. Apparently this notification was not related to the incident above.

So I went to a DMV office near me and had no problem renewing my license. I passed the five-second eye test and no questions were asked.

Once you go public with your low vision you will be labeled by some as "disabled." I was in denial about my fading eyesight for many years. So, I don't tell many people about my low vision unless it is brought up.

PROTEST LOW VISION NEGLECT

My wife and I live in Golden Valley, Minnesota [link], a first-ring suburb located just west of downtown Minneapolis. Golden Valley is considered one of the best communities in the Twin Cities for many reasons: a stable tax base, diverse neighborhoods and progressive city leadership. Over 47% of residents over the age of 21 have a college degree, far above the national average.  

However, even though the people who live here in GV are bright, that doesn’t mean they are inclusive of people like me with low vision.

Case in point: Recently I received a postcard in the mail from the City promoting their annual Fall Clean Up. Here is a high-resolution scan of the postcard (actual size is 3.5” by 5”):

See any problems (pun intended)?

The postcard fails to communicate with folks like me who are experiencing low vision because it neglects the basics:

• TYPE SIZE: Too small.

• BACKGROUND: Too dark, doesn’t provide enough contrast.

• LAYOUT: Confusing, some sentences tilt for no reason, too much information.

• EFFECTIVENESS: Very poor.

Anyone with low vision knows the frustration of small size type found on labels of products, etc.  But this is an example of neglect by a governmental entity that we support by paying taxes. As citizens we aren’t getting our money's worth.

The City of Golden Valley failed to realize that a good number of its citizens can’t read this notification. Some people are left out.

LOW VISION NEGLECT AND MY PROTEST

Shep Harris

It is important that those of us with low vision speak up when we see messages we can’t read. I decided to notify Shep Harris, the Mayor of Golden Valley.  Here is my email to him:

DATE: October 21, 2016

FROM: KEN MILLS <publicradio@hotmail.com>

TO: SHEP HARRIS <sharris@goldenvalleymn.gov>

SUBJECT: Couldn’t Read Your Fall Clean Up Postcard

Hi Shep – I’ve been a resident of Golden Valley for over 18 years.  We met during your recent re-election campaign. I am the public radio fellow on Kelly Drive. You gave me your contact info and asked me to be in touch any time I had questions about the City.

In addition to working in public radio, I am also a blogger. I publish WELCOME TO LOW VISION [http://welcomelv.blogspot.com/http://welcomelv.blogspot.com/] where I report news and commentary about people like myself.  I have “low vision.” I am not blind but I do have impaired vision. In day-to-day life, I can’t read messages that are not legible and clearly presented. There are millions of other people like me with similar challenges.

My reason for contacting you is because of the City’s recent Fall Clean Up postcard.

I was not able to read the City’s postcard because of my low vision. Whoever designed the postcard failed to realize that many people also could not read it. I have detailed the reasons on my blog [http://welcomelv.blogspot.com/http://welcomelv.blogspot.com/].

I hope you will read my blog post and take steps to make certain printed pieces from the City can be read by citizens of the city.  If/when I get your reply, I will share it with my readers.

Thank you, Ken Mills.

MEET MY NEW CANE

I realized I was experiencing Low Vision in December 2014. While searching for more information, I became aware of Minnesota’s State Services for the Blind (SSB). SSB operates a program in conjunction with Minnesota Employment & Economic Development to provide folks like me the tools, training and technology to live independently and keep working [link].

One of the first steps provided by SSB is learning the basic skills of dealing with vision loss on a practical level. One of these basic skills is learning how to use a cane.

I never imaged that I would ever use a cane.  I had the common (and misinformed) opinion that a cane was only for people who are totally blind. I thought using a cane meant the user was “old and in the way.” Certainly that is not me!  Using a cane didn’t fit my rock n roll lifestyle or my self-identity. I was wrong.

LEARNING THE BASICS OF USING A CANE

SSB put my in touch with an Orientation & Mobility (O&M) specialist and coach: John Higggins from Invision Services [link] for my cane training. John and his associates at Invision provide a variety of service to enhance and enrich the lives of visually impaired kids and adults.

I learned from John that even though my low vision condition doesn’t require me to use a cane in most situations now, learning how to use a cane is important for my safety. In the future, as my vision loss progresses, using a cane will be imperative for my mobility.

LESSON: A cane is also a “defensive” tool.  It signals to folks that a “disabled” person is in their midst.

Think about it.  If you see a person using a cane entering a crosswalk, you (hopefully) will give them the right-of-way. I was amazed when I first used my came at the grocery store. Customers moved out of the way so I had clear access to the isles. A store employee asked me if I needed help finding something. This gave me a sense of comfort, control and belonging.

CANE BASICS

Sometimes I feel I am being so overloaded with information and that I might forget a valuable lesson.  So, I asked John Higgins if we could make a few short videos to preserve the techniques he had taught me about using a cane.  With his permission I’d like to share the videos with you.

1. The proper way to hold a cane.

2. Using the slide technique to find my way.

 

3. Using the touch technique to find my way.

4. Using the diagonal technique to find my way.

5. Using the cane to ascend stairs.

6. Using the cane to descend stairs (version one).

7. Using the cane to descend stairs (version two).

8. How to keep my can out of the way when I am standing still.

MY NEW BUSINESS CARDS

Sooner or later, anyone who is involved with business, education, civic or religious organization needs business cards. When you do get new cards please keep folks with low vision in mind.

Close to actual size

Recently I was preparing for a major presentation to a potential new client. I decided to get new business cards. My old business card (shown on the left) is like many others in common use – nice graphics and all of the key contact information. Unfortunately I can’t read the itty-bitty type.

Close to actual size

I decided that I should be able to read the info on my new business cards.  The cards should be created with low vision readers in mind. I like business cards that have a bold typeface (I use Trebuchet) and maximum contrast. My new business card is shown on the right.

White letters on a black background make the info on my new card easy to read. This layout also signals confidence and elegance. I designed it myself and Vistaprint [link] printed them.  The total cost was around $25.00.

Here is an expanded view of my new business card: