This video behind me went
viral a few weeks ago.
Melting hearts around the world.
In case you missed it, here it is.
7 year old Emory who was blind
opening her Christmas gift.
Real hairy porn.
Puppies. Hearing Emery's pure
joy over receiving Braille,
Harry Potter books was so touching
and it helped raise awareness about
the challenges faced by people who
are blind or visually impaired.
One Braille Harry Potter book can
cost up to $300.00 for instance,
while Braille has been around
for nearly 200 years,
the good news is that new technology is
helping overcome obstacles in many ways.
Tonight, in honor of low
Vision Awareness Month,
we show you how Braille Institute
San Diego is helping people in
our local community navigate
through the pandemic and beyond.
Well, this viral video of seven year
old Emory opening her Christmas
gift made most of us smile.
For aim, Gilstrap had brought back
wonderful memories.
It reminded me when I was seven
years old one Christmas and I got
this book called Expectations.
I know I was as excited as that little
girl. A lot has changed since those days.
In the 70s aim, Gilstrap says
advancements in technology and
helpful apps have changed her life.
Microwave that 3/4 Cup of I
could just. Read the
directions on my scanner.
It's helped me become independent.
I can read my Mail aim who
has been blind since birth,
takes classes at Braille Institute
San Diego and has also become
an invaluable resource. There
I volunteer at Brill Institute
and that. Right there is a
game changer for me. 'cause I'm. Helping
other people too as well as myself
and I always like to know that
I'm providing a service in making
somebody's day and during the pandemic she's
learned new skills. I just learned how to
use Zoom and Microsoft Teams, opens up
a whole new world for you during
a crucial time when all of us
are isolated from each other.
So really, it's been a lifeline for you
if I didn't know this technology.
I don't think I would have been
as engaged. You know, with this
pandemic, February is low
Vision Awareness Month.
And even though Brill Institute
San Diego isn't physically open
due to the pandemic right now,
the nonprofit continues to offer
free resources to people who are
blind or visually impaired.
It's been a really unprecedented
and scary time for so many people.
There's probably never been a greater need.
Absolutely, we were just
talking about that today.
We have an orientation and mobility.
Program that's really important
for people who lose their
vision. Wanda Myers is the
educational programs manager.
The use of technology for our students for
the visually impaired has just increased
tremendously an it's allowed them to
stay connected to their family members,
to their friends and to also be safe.
But still, you know, have the opportunity
to know what's going on around them.
Of course, we look forward to all being
back together again, but Meanwhile
we're able to continue to educate.
And to engage and learn together.
And they told
me about this neat app that's super popular.
It's called seeing AI SE ING AI
for artificial intelligence,
and I'm going to show you how cool it is.
Different options here.
You can scan, test or text.
And it will read it to you.
Zag promotees with caramel,
coconut and dark chocolate.
Some OS. You can also use
a bar code. You can scan the barcode
middle trying samoas Christmas cookies
with caramel, coconut and dark
chocolate is dry and this is cool
that's making me hungry.
But you can also tell who's
around you 8 feet away.
You're 8 feet away and
assessing 47 year old man with
Brown hair looking happy. 47 year
old man with Brown hair looking happy.
So I was giving you a grumpy face.
I'm going to check it off with that.
It made me younger thing again.
This is seeing AI and I think for
even people like my mom who have
trouble with far sightedness.
This could be a big tool and resource
and it's just so neat how technology is
Scylla Tating independence.
Opening doors for people who've
had too many of them shut for them.
So for so many years it's
incredible and all of
their services are free.
Braille Institute San Diego.
Go to our website,
click on the help button.
For more information on
free classes and resources.
4747 year old handsome hero.
It didn't say handsome.
I just added handsome male.