In the Community

Remaining active and socially connected is especially important for people who have low vision.

There are some important steps you can take to maximise your safety while out and about in the community:

• Keep mobility aids, visual aids, glasses and / or a hearing aid in a familiar place so they are ready to go, and always remember to take them with you
• When out and about, pay attention to the surroundings, in particular, notice unsafe surfaces, obstacles, animals and children
• Allow extra time and take extra care on public transport, such as buses, trams, ferries and trains
• To avoid unnecessary stress, have the fare or ticket ready before getting on public transport, and, if taking a bus or tram, ask the driver not to move off until you are seated
• If you notice a hazard in a public place, it’s a good idea to report it to the appropriate authority so that it can be fixed. Your action may save another person from a slip, trip or fall

"Before I leave home I have my checklist of aids to make sure I’m prepared – I have my visor, cap and fit-overs to reduce glare, my magnifier and magnification glasses in case I need to read something, my monocular for distance viewing and my identification cane."  Fran