Today there are more strategies, tools, and accessible technologies than ever before to  help adults living with blindness and low vision navigate their finances to maximize independence. Options include audible and tactical tools when handling currency, and accessible banking apps and assistive technology to access financial information and platforms.

8 ways to achieve and maintain financial independence for people living with blindness or low vision

1. Know your currency

The iBill Reader is one of several methods that can help identify US currency denominations. Adults living with blindness or significant vision loss may qualify to receive a free iBill reader through a government application (available in English and Spanish) or your local vision rehabilitation agency. Mobile apps and emerging AI tools can also be used to identify currency. People with vision loss can also fold paper currency differently to manage various denominations.

2. Follow the money

Software such as Excel or Google Sheets can be used with screen readers to manage finances effectively and efficiently, including budget development and expense tracking. A growing number of budgeting and expense-tracking software and apps are available, including apps offered by banks and other financial institutions. Voice apps and Braille can be used to update expenses and code receipts.

3. Gain easy access to financial information

Banks and financial institutions continually increase the accessibility of their apps and websites. Check with yours to see if they offer some of these invaluable features:

• Screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver (iOS), and TalkBack (Android) can be used with banking apps to access accounts, check balances, transfer money, pay bills, and much more.
• Some websites and apps allow visitors to customize their experience with increased contrast and significantly larger text sizes. Magnification software also enhances content for those with low vision.
• Apps with text-to-speech options offer spoken account information and transaction details.
• Assistive devices, including smart and home assistants, can be used to check bank balances, pay bills, and track expenses through voice commands. Talking calculators and many other audible devices can also help.
• Braille options are offered by some banks for financial statements and correspondence, while others offer large print options. Refreshable Braille displays allow access to specialized apps that translate on-screen text to tactile Braille. Chris Peterson, Penny Forward Founder and CEO, provides added information on banks offering Braille statements and accessibility.

Most ATMs are equipped with tactile keypads and voice guidance for those with vision loss. Earphones can be plugged into ATMs to hear spoken instructions and account details. ATMs also offer Braille on the buttons and input panels for accessibility.

4. Expand your payment options

An increasing number of payment options, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal, have reduced the need to physically handle money. Many mobile wallets are accessible with screen readers and offer audible confirmation for transactions.

Online shopping websites and apps, including many retailers, such as Amazon and Instacart, are accessible and make it easy to shop and pay without handling cash. You can also use check guides to help write checks and position signatures.

5. Maintain security of financial information

Security is vital during financial transactions and to protect financial documents. Many banks and apps offer accessible two-factor authentication that can be used with voice commands or accessed with screen readers. The National Council on Aging also provides crucial information to reduce your risk of falling prey to phishing and other financial scams.

6. Create better money management habits

Penny Forward offers extensive information, resources, and courses covering a broad range of financial topics. The American Printing House (APH), the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), and other national organizations also offer workshops, webinars, and other helpful information for people living with blindness and low vision.

Vision rehabilitation agencies across the country offer extensive training and support to enhance all activities of daily living. Financial literacy courses and training help adults living with blindness and low vision utilize the best tools to manage their finances, often at no cost.

NCOA also provides a broad range of information, tips, and tools to help manage your finances, including this simple guide to budgeting and other crucial resources.

7. Learn how vision loss impacts financial security

The Big Data Project National Report¹ confirms that in the United States, 8.7 million people between the ages of 18 and 64 report blindness and low vision, with 43.6% of these individuals reporting they are working, 10.5% reporting they are out of work, 17.1% are absent from the labor force (students, homemakers, and retirees), and 28.9% indicating they are unable to work. As a result, adults 18-64 living with blindness and low vision are far more likely to experience low income and poverty, with approximately 42% reporting an annual income of less than $20,000, as compared to only 11% of their sighted peers having income under $20,000.

Annual income of more than $75,000 is also in stark contrast, with only 13.9% of those with blindness and low vision earning more than $75,000, compared to nearly 41% of those without vision impairment. Significant vision loss also affects health and other factors that can significantly impact finances in younger years and for adults 65+.

8. Get support from federal and state programs

Several federal and state programs help adults living with vision loss manage their finances and provide direct financial support.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides financial support for individuals living with blindness or low vision who meet required paid employment history thresholds. Check out this special Social Security Administration SSDI guide to learn about eligibility and the application process.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides monthly financial assistance for individuals with blindness or low vision with limited work history and income. Learn more about this program.

The National Council on Aging provides critical information on Medicare, a federal health insurance program primarily for people aged 65 and older and some younger people with disabilities. Medicare can significantly reduce out-of-pocket medical costs and may cover therapies for age-related eye condition treatments, including surgery.

The Older Americans Act (OAA) funds services including meal programs, senior centers, job training, caregiver support, and transportation for older Americans living with vision loss. Learn more about the OAA and the Aging Network programs and strategies it supports.

Hunger affects millions of adults 65 and older, and the SNAP program can help. Learn more about eligibility and the application process.

State programs provide additional support for adults living with blindness and vision loss. Many states established Blind Services and Vocational Rehabilitation Services agencies offering additional programs and support, including financial literacy programs and career services. The OIB-TAC program offers information on Older Blind programs by state, along with added programs and support. State Assistive Technology Programs provide low-interest loans, grants, or direct access to assistive technologies, including screen readers, magnifiers, Braille displays, and accessible software. Check here to see programs offered by state.

If you live with blindness or low vision, please check your state to see if you qualify for additional programs such as property tax relief, housing and utility assistance, and more.

How to find help and hope through vision rehabilitation

If you live with blindness or low vision, please contact your local vision rehabilitation agency to access all the available information, resources, and support to live as confidently, safely, and independently as possible.

Access a list of Vision Rehabilitation Agencies and visit Time to Be Bold to find local vision rehabilitation services and other resources. Call the APH hotline to receive support and practical coping strategies for everyday tasks, join remote discussion groups, and access free online resources at the APH Connect Center and VisionAware.

Learn more about vision loss and vision rehabilitation through other articles in this series:

• Identifying Undiagnosed Vision Loss
• Common Age-Related Eye Diseases: What to Know and What You Can Do
• What Independent Living Skills Help People Living With Vision Loss?
• Helping People with Blindness and Vision Loss Continue to Participate in Everyday Activities
• How Assistive Technology and Adaptive Equipment Help People Living with Vision Loss
• How Orientation and Mobility Training Can Improve Quality of Life For People Living With Vision Loss
• What Is Accessibility and Why Is It Important for People with Vision Loss?
• Safety Tips for Older Adults Living with Vision Loss
• Cooking Safely with Vision Loss

Sources

1. VisionServe Alliance. United States’ Older Population and Vision Loss: A Briefing, St. Louis. 2022. Found on the internet at https://visionservealliance.org/big-data-project-insights/