Sight Unseen LLC

11/08/2025

Christmas Ultimate Global Gift List for Blind, Visually Impaired & Deafblind Shoppers 🎄🌍

Everyday labelling & independence

WayAround WayTags (NFC labels) — Tag clothes, food, meds, documents; scan with the free app for your own audio/text notes.
Price: US: $14.99–$229.99 depending on pack; e.g., Starter Pack $74.99, Stickers 25-pack $29.99.
Buy: US (WayAround store). For international shipping use local distributors listed on the site. 

RNIB PENfriend 3 (audio labeller) — Record a message onto tactile stickers; touch the pen to hear it back. Brilliant for kitchens, meds, clothes.
Price: UK: £107.99 inc VAT (VAT-exempt £89.99). US: TouchSpot Audio $155.00.
Buy: UK (RNIB Shop), US (TouchSpot Audio). 

Bump-Dots / Bumpons (tactile stickers) — Mark buttons, dials, keyboards, appliances; choose shapes/colours for different meanings.
Price: UK: £6.90–£11.10; US: $2.75–$8.95; AU: stocked by Vision Australia (varies).
Buy: UK (RNIB Shop), US (MaxiAids), AU (Vision Australia Vision Store). 

Liquid Level Indicator (audible + vibration) — Hangs on a mug and beeps/vibrates when nearly full, then full. Great for hot drinks and Deafblind users.
Price: UK: £19.20; US: $12.95; AU: typically A$25–A$50 via Vision Australia and other resellers.
Buy: UK (RNIB), US (MaxiAids), AU (Vision Australia / See Differently). 

Kitchen & home

Talking Microwave (accessible controls + speech) — Simple tactile buttons, spoken prompts/timers.
Price: UK: RNIB £264.00 (VAT-exempt £220.00). US: MaxiAids ~$429–$439. AU: Vision Australia A$720 (model 2.0).
Buy: UK (RNIB Shop), US (MaxiAids), AU (Vision Australia). 

Talking Kitchen Scale + Easy-to-See Jug — Announces weights in g/oz/ml; bold, high-contrast jug.
Price: UK: £69.00 (VAT-exempt £57.50). US: popular models ~$34.95–$119.95. AU: A$187–A$195.
Buy: UK (RNIB), US (MaxiAids / Assistech), AU (Vision Australia / See Differently). 

Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock (with bed shaker) — Extra-loud alarm + powerful vibrating pad for heavy sleepers/Deaf and Deafblind folks.
Price: US: $52.99–$59.99 typical; UK: ~£45–£55 depending on model.
Buy: US (Sonic Alert / major retailers), UK (Amazon & accessibility stores). 

Bellman & Symfon Visit doorbell/alerting system — Doorbell transmitter, flashing receiver, and/or vibrating pager/bed-shaker; modular for phone, baby, smoke alarms.
Price: US: Doorbell + flash receiver kit $413.85; UK: Pager Receiver £235.94.
Buy: US (Bellman US Store), UK (AmplifiedTelephones). 

Wearables & audio

Shokz OpenRun (bone-conduction) — Open-ear design keeps environmental sound; useful for orientation and safety.
Price: US: $129.95; UK: £129. UK Pro 2: £169.
Buy: Shokz official (regional stores). 

Apple Watch SE (current model) — Strong haptics/Taptic Time, discreet vibration alerts; great for Deaf/Deafblind notifications and voice control.
Price: US: from $249; UK: from £219; AU: from A$399; CA: from C$329.
Buy: Apple regional stores. 

Mobility, finding & orientation

WeWALK Smart Cane — Cane handle with phone app integration and obstacle alerts; navigation features.
Price: US: from $699; UK: RNIB from £499.
Buy: US/Global (WeWALK), UK (RNIB Shop). 

Sunu Band — Ultrasonic wristband gives vibration feedback for obstacles; pairs with app.
Price: US: commonly around $299; UK resellers vary (~£240 ex-VAT in case studies).
Buy: US (Sunu), UK (Sight & Sound / partners). 

Apple AirTag (item tracker) — For keys, bags, canes; precise finding with audio/haptics on iPhone.
Price: US: $29; UK: £35; EU: ~€39; CA: C$39; AU: A$49.
Buy: Apple regional stores. 

Tile (Mate/Pro) — iOS/Android friendly trackers; louder ring, good for non-Apple users.
Price (Mate 1-pack): US: $24.99; UK: ~£22–£30 depending on retailer.
Buy: US (Tile.com), UK (Tile / Amazon). 

“Tech that sees” (AI wearables & reading)

Envision Glasses (Read/Home/Pro editions) — Speak out printed text, identify objects/faces; hands-free.
Price: UK: Read £2,158.80 | Home £2,758.80 | Pro £3,598.80 (inc VAT).
Buy: Envision UK store; also via Sight & Sound (UK). 

OrCam MyEye 3 (smart camera for any glasses) — Read text from paper/screens; product, colour and face recognition.
Price: UK: around £4,399.99 (Pro) depending on reseller.
Buy: OrCam UK partners and resellers (e.g., The Dyslexia Shop, Posturite). 

Envision Ally Solos (budget smart glasses) — Newer AI-powered option with open-ear audio; lighter cost.
Price: UK: ~£544 (launch pricing shown on Envision shop).
Buy: Envision Shop. 

Magnification, braille & accessible phones

HumanWare explorē 8 (handheld video magnifier) — 8” portable CCTV; 2–30× magnification, near/distance.
Price: US/EU pricing varies by store (see HumanWare stores).
Buy: HumanWare regional stores. 

Orbit Reader 20 Plus (20-cell refreshable braille display) — Stand-alone note-taking, book reading, or use with phone/computer.
Price: US: $699; UK: ~£699 (varies by reseller).
Buy: US (Orbit Research), UK (Computer Room Services). 

BlindShell Classic 2 (talking mobile phone) — Physical keypad, loud speaker, dictation, WhatsApp, Aira/Be My Eyes apps.
Price: US: $489; UK: £399–£429 depending on VAT.
Buy: US (BlindShell), UK (RNIB). 

Gaming & play (family-friendly and adaptive)

Xbox Adaptive Controller — Hub for external switches, joysticks and other inputs (Xbox/Windows).
Price: US: $99.99.
Buy: Microsoft Store (US/UK variants available). 

PlayStation Access Controller (PS5) — Customisable controller with swappable buttons/sticks; works with Logitech’s Adaptive Kit.
Price (UK typical): ~£75–£129 across retailers.
Buy: UK price comparison page; Logitech adaptive kits also available. 

LEGO “Play with Braille” (40656) — Real LEGO bricks with braille studs & printed letters; learn and play together.
Price: US: $89.99; UK: £79.99; AU: A$139.99 (regional RRPs).
Buy: LEGO regional stores. 

UNO Braille (Mattel) — Full braille on every card; audio instructions online.
Price: US: $14.99 (typical); UK: ~£15.99.
Buy: US (Mattel Shop / specialty stores), UK (Amazon). 

Tactile Chess/Draughts (peg or raised-square boards) — Classic games adapted with tactile boards and marked pieces.
Price: UK: Draughts £22.80–£40.00; peg chess sets ~£42–£69.95. US: tactile chess ~$28.95+.
Buy: UK (RNIB / Braille Chess Association / ChessBaron), US (MaxiAids). 

Smart home & media

Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen) — Voice control for lights/plugs, reminders/Timers, multi-room audio; routines can add accessibility.
Price: UK: £54.99; AU: A$99.
Buy: Amazon regional stores. 

Audible Gift Membership — Audiobooks everywhere with monthly credits; a practical “any country” gift.
Price (UK): 3 months £26.99, 6 months £47.99, 12 months £69.99 (gift centre).
Buy: Audible UK (regional equivalents on Audible US/CA/AU). 

Quick ideas under £/€/$25
• Mixed Bump-Dots/Bumpons packs (US $6.95–$8.95; UK £7–£11). 
• Liquid Level Indicator (US ~$12.95; UK £19.20). 
• UNO Braille (US ~$14.99; UK ~£15.99). 

10/31/2025

10/31/2025

MSU researchers explore how advertisers can design more inclusive, accessible ads for blind and visually impaired consumers using purposive audio descriptions.

10/26/2025

November is National Assistive Technology Awareness Month!

This year, we’re going all in on celebrating the tools and innovations that make independence easier.

From screen readers to smart devices, assistive technology is opening doors for people with visual impairments every day.

At Braille Institute, our experts are here to help you discover the tech that works best for you, no matter where you’re starting from.

Learn more about our Assistive Tech programs here: https://www.brailleinstitute.org/find-services/offerings/assistive-technology/

10/26/2025

So very true! 

👁️ “I never knew that…” — Let’s change that.

Most people only learn about blindness after they meet someone who’s blind.
By then, assumptions have already formed.

So let’s flip that.
Here are 5 things most people get wrong about blindness — and 5 truths everyone should know:

❌ “Blind means total darkness.”
✅ Blindness is a spectrum — many people see light, shapes or colour.

❌ “If they don’t look blind, they’re fine.”
✅ You can’t always see sight loss — it’s not a costume.

❌ “Helping means grabbing their arm.”
✅ Ask first. Respect is help.

❌ “Braille is old-fashioned.”
✅ Braille is literacy. Tech didn’t replace it — it amplified it.

❌ “Blind people can’t enjoy films, art or travel.”
✅ Audio description, touch, sound, movement, and storytelling make the world just as rich — sometimes richer.

If more people understood this, the world would be safer, kinder, and more inclusive — not just for blind people, but for everyone.

💬 Comment with one thing you wish more people knew about blindness.
🔁 Share this so the learning happens before the assumptions do.

10/19/2025

Bad assumptions are made about us! 

10/18/2025

The Office for Civil Rights exists to enforce the promise that 7.5 million students — more than 15 percent of all public school children — have the protections and access guaranteed by law. Now that promise is being gutted.

TLDR:
If lawmakers don’t intervene and court challenges fail, billions of dollars in education grants appropriated by Congress could be delayed or never distributed. Civil rights investigators will face mounting caseloads, making enforcement nearly impossible. School districts, state agencies, and parents will have virtually nowhere to turn for help interpreting and enforcing federal requirements under laws like the Every Student Succeeds Act.

Some schools and states may simply stop following federal education laws altogether.

“If there are not people there to make sure the laws are followed, the laws are meaningless.”

It feels like the new attitude is this: if you can’t get rid of Section 504, get rid of the agency that enforces it. Disability rights rarely have a visible lobbying base, which means politicians can quietly dismantle oversight without immediate backlash and achieve the same result they would if they repealed the law itself.

It’s impossible to claim you want the United States to have one of the best education systems in the world while removing the oversight that protects 15 percent of all children from being denied the education they need to reach their potential. Weakening education rights isn’t just about kids in special education — it affects every child with ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia, or a physical or chronic health condition.

I needed physical accommodations to participate fully in school. Because of those protections, I was able to succeed academically, earn advanced degrees, and build a full-time career that allows me to contribute to society and the economy through meaningful work and taxes. That is the return on investment when we uphold the right to education for students with disabilities.
Weakening these rights doesn’t just harm a subset of students with disabilities. It erodes the very foundation of our nation’s talent and potential — the inventors, teachers, artists, and leaders of tomorrow. When 15 percent of our students are denied the tools they need to succeed, when oversight disappears, we’re not saving money. We’re gutting the future of our kids and our country.

https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/ed-dept-offices-will-be-virtually-wiped-out-in-latest-layoffs/2025/10

https://apnews.com/article/layoffs-education-department-special-education-shutdown-3c066e2b1799c96a50e14dd63f46cd96

10/18/2025

Today is , a reminder of the importance of accessibility and inclusion. At Be My Eyes, our mission goes beyond borders, we are working to make the world more accessible for everyone, in every country! 🌍

Recently, our global team came together in Copenhagen to talk about our plans and goals for 2026 and beyond, while some joined remotely from different corners of the world! ✈️

Every day, whether near or far, we collaborate across time zones and countries to bring accessibility to everyone who needs it. Because accessibility isn’t just for one place, it’s for everyone, everywhere! 💙

10/16/2025

Gardening Tips for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

Gardening isn’t just about sight — it’s about smell, touch, and sound too. Whether you’re growing herbs on a windowsill or tending a full backyard garden, here are some tips to make it easier and more enjoyable:

1. Use Raised Beds or Containers
Keep plants at waist height to make watering and weeding more comfortable and to define clear boundaries.

2. Organize with Texture and Touch
Use tactile markers like bump dots, rubber bands, or textured labels on pots. You can also plant different textures side by side — fuzzy lamb’s ear, smooth basil leaves, or spiky rosemary.

3. Label Plants Accessibly
Add large print or braille labels, or use QR code tags that can be scanned with a smartphone to identify plants using a voice app.

4. Choose Fragrant or Edible Plants
Lavender, mint, basil, and tomatoes are great choices easy to identify by scent or touch and useful in the kitchen.

5. Plan with Pathways in Mind
Use paver stones, gravel, or edging materials to define walkways. This helps with orientation and prevents stepping into garden beds.

6. Use Smart Tech
Voice assistants, accessible weather apps, and smart irrigation systems can help you manage watering and care by voice command.

Gardening is a beautiful way to connect with nature no matter your level of vision. With a few adaptations, you can create a garden that engages all your senses and brings joy every day.

10/15/2025

Today is White Cane Safety Day – also known as Blind Americans Equality Day – a day to honor the contributions of Americans who are blind or have low vision and recognize the importance of the white cane.

On this day and every day, ACB reaffirms its commitment to creating a world where people who are blind or have low vision can navigate freely and independently. Check out a list of white cane laws by state on our website here: https://www.acb.org/white-cane-laws-states.

Read ACB’s White Cane Safety Day message: https://www.acb.org/recognizing-white-cane-safety-day-celebrating-independence-and-accessibility.

10/11/2025

Thank you to our current sponsors and vendors!!