Tipsfororganization

Know where all your personal things are and ask any other people living with you not
to move them without your presence.
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When you use something, put it back to the same place when you are finished with it.
Also use shoeboxes with large numbers (150 points) to label them and then create a
file on your computer with the contents of every box. Your software must have the
ability to employ a FIND so that you enter the article you want and then get the box
number. Store the boxes in order in one place and ask anybody living with you NOT to
remove anything without your knowledge so that your computer file can be properly
updated. In other words, keep the INTEGRITY of the system and it will work fine for
you. My shoes are in a shoe rack. My clothes are in a closet with shirts in one section,
trousers in another section. My socks, handkerchiefs, etc. are in my dresser drawer in
a predetermined place so that I always go to the same place that I used to put it
away. In summary, know exactly where YOU want your STUFF and scream loudly if
someone destroys the INTEGRITY OF YOUR SYSTEM.
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I have some sight, but tend to use feel a lot. On my meds, the bottles are of different
sizes. If the same size, I use a rubber band or two around the bottle. I also keep them
in two different places which helps--bathroom shelf and dining table. If I think I might
forget that I've taken one, I turn it upside-down. This may sound complicated, but it
works for me.
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Hey! I have some pretty good advice and tips. First tips for keeping place of food,
desk objects, and other things. Well I usually put it back in the same place so I don't
have to bother squinting and getting nose to nose with things... Also I feel alot for
things like on my dresser I have my many bottles of perfume the different shapes
easily tell them apart. Or different colors.
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I have a family that understands what is easier for me in daily living. Everything is
always put in the same location by all members of my family.
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My answer to the question is to keep everything possible in the same place it
belongs. If things are organized and in the same place they are easy to find.
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Don't be afraid to ask a loved one when you need help, and stay organized so
everything has its place.
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I had a hard time with medications until I came up with this. Early morning only meds
like vitamins go in the corner off bathroom sink counter where they are easy to
remember. MOST OF THE REST ARE IN A PLASTIC BOX ON MY TABLE. WHEN THEY ARE
THE SAME SIZE, I USE A RUBBER BAND ON ONE. If I NEED TO TAKE ONE TWICE A DAY, I
TURN IT UPSIDE DOWN AFTER THE MORING MED. MOST MEDS ARE IN VARIOUS SIXE
BOTTLES, BUT THE RUBBER BAND IS A BIG HELP WITH MORE THAN ONE--OR EVEN TWO
BANDS OR A THICK AND THIN ONE. ANYHOW, IT WORKS FOR ME.
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First of all, it's important to minimize the items I collect on my desktop. I need to
keep the space clear for spreading out books and texts under the electronic video
magnifier on my desktop. I utilize the usual desktop organizers of many people, such
as felt tip pen and writing templates, the file holders for letters to read or sign,
magnetic paper clip holder, and my son's gift to me of a homemade pottery pencil
holder.
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How to be organized: put the clothes in one side of the closet like shirt and pant &
shoes I have some sight and ever to see around.
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Focus on Ability and ditch the dis! Treat a person with a disability the same way you
would treat someone without a disability.
To keep track of food, clothing, desk objects---- there should be a universal bar code
system. However, if the device fails should have a back-up system ---not everyone may
use the same system – rubber bands, safety pins on clothes, may work---base it on the
individual, be organized, simpler the better.
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1. I keep all statements and receipts in a stack on one corner of my desk for one whole
year. That way my daughter will find everything I own in one place when she has to
take care of my estate.
2. I keep current bills in a holder on top of my desk in the order in which they are
due.
3. I have Zoom Text on my computer.
4. I have a CCTV/magnifier.
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My tip is to have a certain place for each of your things. My phone always goes on my
book shelf to charge at night. My wallet on my dresser. If I am going somewhere the
next day I always lay my clothes out that night so I don't have to worry about it that
morning.
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Clothes: buy in bulk the same items. It's cheaper (esp if you buy in bulk at the
wholesale club), items wear out uniformly (assuming you rotate), it keeps things
simple (you don't have to worry about things matching).
Food: sign up for Meals on Wheels. I cook in bulk (even coffee) and heat the food in
the microwave.
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I cut milk carton plastic into half-inch strips, punch a hole in one end with a standard
hole punch, then use a one-line Braille slate to write some label text on it.
The tag can then be attached to just about anything using one of several methods.
One way is by fishing a rubber band through the hole and then sticking one end of the
rubber band through the loop of the other end and pulling tight to get one big loop
attached to the Braille label.
The rubber band can then be affixed to household items like bottles and jars.
The plastic Braille tags can also be used to organize paperwork and mail by attaching
them to binder clips.
Disconnect one of the two stiff wire finger tabs that you squeeze to open the binder
clip by pinching its base together and pulling the prongs out of the restraining holes on
the main body of the binder clip.
Slide the Braille tag onto the metal wire and put it back on the binder clip.
Now the binder clip has a Braille label securely connected to it, so it can be used to
identify the items held by the clip.
I hope this helps someone.
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Clothes - socks are always a problem so I always safety pin them together before
washing so I always have the matches together.
Desk - Having a standard layout, a place for each item minimizes searching - but you
have to make sure to replace items where they belong. To help keep things organized
you can lay out the arrangement with tape, and label where things go. This can also
help "sighted" folks put your things back where you need them.
Email - to always keep critical emails from being lost with junk email, use multiple
email addresses, one for bills and banking, one for shopping, social media, and
another for personal, family, community emails. When you get alerts regarding your
banking, you do not want to have it lost with Facebook notifications and sales specials.
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When doing arts and crafts, I cover the workable area with 3-5 sheets of newspaper.
Edges are taped down. Used sheets are peeled off as needed.
I assemble small projects within a used 9 by 13 inch cake pan. This keeps tiny parts
together. I can carry the project from place to place without dropping anything.
I sort clothing by function or purpose. Pants, Jeans. T-shirts, Tops all together. They
can be mixed and matched easily and they are in classical style which does not go out
of style. I own two dresses and one skirt. One black party dress, below knee length in
classic style, if in case I want to go somewhere swanky.
I do not own jewelry other than a Timex watch.
If I had clip on earrings, each set has its own compartment within an egg carton: 12
sets of clip-ons per carton. The cartons would be placed inside a drawer. I could keep
other small pieces of costume jewelry if each piece can fit inside an egg carton
compartment. Jewelry sorted according to its purpose or function.
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I have a certain place in my closet for my clothes. My shirts go on the right side and
my pants on the left. I am visually impaired so I do have enough vision to see what I
am picking out (as long as I get very close). I know for others this may be far more
difficult. As for my desk, I organize it so that I have a pen and paper next to my
keyboard and monitor along with my cell phone. That way if I get a call and need to
jot down a quick note, I can do so without trouble. For food I am a bit unconventional.
I put cereal and bread on top of the fridge. Drinks usually go on the top shelf, dinner
items in the middle shelf (or freeze if they are frozen items) and lunch meat, mayo,
mustard and ketchup on the bottom shelf. If there is anything random (for example, I
love apple sauce) that too usually goes on the bottom. For me personally, I find that
having a certain place for every item helps me to save time and headaches!
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This is how I as a low vision person take track of my clothing. I see by color and try
and feel where the inside tag is to fit the shirt to the right side of my body. That is so
that the pockets are facing me and the tag is in the back. This, however can be
difficult to do as some of the clothing tags are not tactile or large enough for a visually
impaired or blind person to see. The other challenges are the two colors, Navy blue
and black. Sometimes people have to tell me that I have on navy blue sock on with
black pants. A color identification system that is accurate enough to distinguish
between the two colors, Navy blue and black would help to do the trick.
As to food. Generally, I shop once a week for small portions of food that I need for a
single person like myself. This way, I am safe to make sure it does not expire. If I am
in doubt I will throw it out and get it replaced the next time I go shopping. However,
when it comes to bargain shopping, like buying meets, which is bought once a month,
some technology that would go with a smartphone would be greatly appreciated to be
able to let someone with low vision or blindness know that the food is expired. This
would work with milk, eggs, meats and cold meats. In this manner, someone would be
able to more accurately tell when food is bad and in that manner, stocking up would
be safer for a visually impaired person and even for someone who has dementia during
the early stages of it. This would also help caregivers and this technology would also
help in grocery stores to tell when food items like eggs or milk is best sold by.
Because most people who are blind and on low fixed incomes and not currently
employed, some sort of system needs to be developed via use of a cell phone or smart
phone and must be done without the involvement of Internet connections. The same
needs to be done in a cost effective way with prescription medication.
Thus, keeping track of items of food bought in bulk is hard to do, because the colors
can be deceiving to the eye. Thus, giving the freezer a check on the night before
getting rid of the trash would be a good idea.
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The best tip I have for blind organization is to break it down by rooms in your house.
First, start with the room you spend the most time in, then move to all the rooms that
you will use, doing one room at a time. It is critical to involve your family or caretaker
in this process so that everyone is on the same page. These people may also offer
ideas to make the rooms more accessible. Getting them involved with this process will
help them see how important it is and help avoid potential problems later on. It is
important to pay close attention to the rooms that could be potentially dangerous such
as the kitchen, where sharp knives and hot stoves can be problematic. And don’t
disregard the simple things, such as making sure chairs are pushed in, and walkways
from room to room stay clear. Communication is key to any type of organization and
will help with a smoother transition.
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Clothing is pretty easy for me to organize, I keep things in separate drawers such as
socks (dress socks on left, and sweat socks on right), then underwear and t-shirts, a
drawer for my nicer polo shirts. Then the last 2 drawers are for shorts and pants. All
these are organized by type, color and some have Braille tagging to make sure things
match.
Food items can be tricky at times with three of us living here, but I always try to keep
most of my favorites in the same small area in both the refrigerator and freezer. And I
usually take over one or two shelves in the cupboards with whatever I use most. I’ve
found that communication regarding food can be challenging at times, but overall, it
works pretty well and gets better over time.
Desk objects are easier for me to organize as I have my own separate desk with a
computer and office trays for small items such as pens/pencils, paper clips, etc. I also
have a place to hang my keys, and shelves to hold things like books on tape, Braille
books, and other smaller electronics and aids. No one else uses my desk, so if I can’t
find something, I can’t blame anyone else but me.
Please accept this as my entry into the contest for Ai Squared, and thank you for
ZoomText. I had been losing interest in the computer as my vision worsened, but am
now using it more than ever. Thanks to the help I get with ZoomText and other
programs as well.
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My best tip is also a well-worn cliche, but it sure saves me a lot of hunting time: a
place for everything and everything in its place.
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In my experience, the less 'stuff' the better. I try to group similar items together. IF
there's a label I can't see, then I use a 20/20 pen to make it so I can read it.

Surgical tape. I have so much left over that I use it to mark buttons on the microwave,
the washer/dryer, crunchy peanut butter (creamy has no tape :-)), etc. It has texture
that I can easily feel and stays stuck in place for a long time.

The best tip I can give is keep things simple. This will eliminate a lot of clutter and
save time finding what you want. I keep all of my clothes in the closet arranged by
color and use a piece of cardboard to separate colors. I arrange them alphabetically
and try not to use too many colors. I do the same with my clothing drawers and
separate by colors. I keep blue socks with blue shirts/sweaters, beige socks with beige
shrts/sweaters, etc.
As for my desk, I am right handed so I have my CCTV on the right and keep anything to
write with on that side also or anything I use the most. Anything else goes on the left
side of my desk. In my file cabinet I have tabs on each file alphabetically (as large as I
can print the letters) but I can also count alphabetically and find the right file if I have
trouble finding the right letter. I file everything as soon as it comes in instead of
letting it lie around. That way my desk does not get cluttered and I only have to look
at it under my CCTV once. If it's not important shred it and get rid of it.
As for food, I keep a large magnifier with light handy to read labels. I separate canned
vegetables together, fruits together, soups, etc. I do the same with the refrigerator.
Each shelf is for particular types of items. I find it helps to keep food items you buy
simple also. The lighted magnifier comes in handy for reading the dials on the stove,
dishwasher, washer, dryer, etc. I also try to memorize the dials as much as possible. I
recently had to buy a new microwave and clothes washer and only considered the ones
that I could read the best. Take your magnifier with you when you shop for anything.
I can still mow the grass also. When I get to the end of a strip, I just make a 90 degree
turn and start on the next one. Just go slow and steady. It's not only gratifying, it's
also good exercise. My neighbors all say I have the best yard in the neighborhood.
I have Stargardt’s disease so my vision keeps getting worse, but I've found that I just
continually keep trying to adapt and it seems I find a way around it. I can do about
anything but drive. I still do home maintenance around the house such as simple
plumbing, carpentry and painting. It takes me maybe 3-4 times longer than the
average person and I probably overdue some things but it really helps me keep a good
attitude.
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The best way I have found to keep things organized is to always put them back in the
location from which they were found. I also use ZoomText to write myself a note,
keep recipe instructions, phone settings, and insulin pump settings for easy retrieval.
I am learning Braille in order to properly label food items, cleaning products, and
prescription bottles to prevent misidentification.
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My best advice is to organize your clothes by color so that you can see them. I do this
with my clothes and it helps me. I also hang the same type of shirt in the same spot. I
hang short sleeve shirts together and long sleeve shirts together. I also hang them on
separate shelves.
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I’m partially sighted in one eye (totally blind in the other) and I always tell people
that I do everything I did before I lost my vision, just a little differently and a whole
lot slower . With the help of sighted family/friends all my paper money is folded in
different ways so I can easily identify it when making a purchase. Coins can be
identified by their size and shape – quarters have ridges that distinguish them from
nickels and so do dimes, so they feel different then pennies.
Little adjustments make life easier and ZoomText keeps me using me working on my
computer. Thanks!
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I use my cane, and I drag my hand over things to figure things out. Last I will
sometimes ask for help.
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I keep track of projects by arranging in stacks with most urgent on top, but I am not
sightless, just very low vision.
The same is true with clothes. I can tell sweaters from T shirts by feel., long sleeves
from short sleeves by the stack they are in.
The “KISS” principle works for me.
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My advice to anyone who is visually impaired or blind is to get the ZoomText
magnifying system and also a keyboard that reads Braille. They do have such things as
a Braille keyboard. I love my ZoomText 9.0 magnifying software that the NY State
Education Department got for me as well as a ClearView reader machine from C-Tech.

1. Love Post Its – different sizes and colours for appointments etc.
2. Large calendars 15 x12 inches - Post Its on it for reminders
3. Cards 5 x 8 inches and CCTV for addresses, phone numbers of doctors, friends,
businesses
4. File folders - some coloured -alphabetical
I am not too computer literate so keep backups. My computer crashed a few years ago
so lost too much.
Looking forward to more and better ideas. Thanks to Zoom Text again.
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Here are some of the methods I have used to keep my students organized:
1. When storing documents on the computer we give it a name with numbers that
stand for dates like EngCW_425 or M_HW827. HW= Home work; CW=class work;
P=project; N=notes
2. To match clothes we use a safety pin and beads or buttons. The beads and buttons
strung on safety pins show how each article of clothing matches and represents certain
colors.
3. We make magnet labels for food cans by using adhesive back magnet strips and
sticking them to laminated strips on which we have Brailled a few letters or whole
words to indicate what each can contains. We have a laminated envelope stuck to the
fridge with a magnet that holds all of the labels that are not being used until we need
them.
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I feel the best way for sightless organization is to be able to keep up with things like
clothes to use colored safety pins or use a machine called a color identifier to help be
able to know what color their clothes are. And for things like food & desk objects is to
use a Braille label machine to help them write what they are looking. I also think a
talking microwave with Braille on it would help them as well when heating food as
well.
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For food organization I use the id mate so I will know what my food items are. For
clothing I use the Colorina to tell me what colors I am putting on. You can also use the
pin friend and its labels to label your clothing. As far as my desk I try not to have
anything on it I don’t need and I use labeling tape so I know what everything is.
I have been legally-blind for almost sixty years. I am blessed with a wonderful wife
that makes me do all that I can for myself. This requires me to come up with things to
make my life easier. Such as folding money. For example: $1 bill is not folded. $5
bill is folded in half, $10 bill is folded in half lengthwise and a $20 bill is folded in half
and then folded again making a 2/3 fold, a $50 bill is folded smaller than a $20 bill.
Medicine bottles are brailed or placed on the left and right hand side of the cabinet.
rubber bands are used to let me know how many pills are to be taken. For example on
rubber band around a bottle indicates one pill daily. Two bands indicate two pills
daily and so on.
I have tried clothes pins to tell me what color my suits are but have found that
sometimes I leave home with the pin on me. So, I purchase the same color socks that
match my suits. I have decided that wearing jeans do not require one to really dress
up especially with socks. Any color socks go with jeans.
I enjoy fresh vegetables over canned or process foods. It is really hard to mistake a
turnip for a potato. But canned foods such as chili, green beans, corn and so on is a
challenge. I really like spicy foods so the or-tell I remove the labels. You can try the
rubber bands on the vegetable cans to indicate the brand or have a friend assist you in
Braille labels. But, I place the cans on the left or right of the shelf to depending on
what it is. For example corn or potatoes are place on the left side and green
vegetable are place on the right hand side. But, I recommend you eat fresh
vegetables or fruits.
ZoomText 10 is an excellent program to assist in checking products or using other
magnification devices such as the Pebble or even my wife does sometimes tell me that
I have screwed up and cooked two cans of corn. I tell her that’s no problem. We’ll
have corn chowder for supper.
When cutting up vegetables, keep your fingers away from the cutting board, place the
knife with the blade point on the cutting board and chop with the handle. Make sure
your fingers are not in the way or you’ll eat more than you expected to.
When cutting onions run water this seems to help not crying while you cut the onion.
But, when you get the water bill you probably will cry.
I once had a friend that put bells on her son’s shoes so that she could tell where he
was. When he was about two and a half he put the bell on the dogs collar. She spent
all day chasing the dog while her son sat quietly in the corner.
I could go on and on. So, I’ll close.

My best tip is to have a place for everything. Sort items in ways that work for you. I
sort.

My best tip, which I have had to train myself to do is whenever taking my dress socks
(colored socks) off at the end of the day, is to no longer simply throw them into the
laundry hamper but rather attach them together with a special sock clip I received
from Southwest Low Vision in Tucson Arizona. This eliminates the need to try and sort
colors of socks later. Nothing is worse than wearing one brown and one blue sock.

There are many simple homemade adaptations for sightlessness. One of my favorites is
using high marks, Velcro, object finders, beeping key holders, duct tape, and making
labels that have different feel to them.
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My best tip for sightless organization is done tactually. Being a TVI for 38 years I am
unaware of any other methods. Best tip on clothes is on the hanger in the closet,
folded clothes labels in Braille.
Stick on and iron on type. Food is easy. Org. the whole shelf and then place label in
Braille on shelf lip. Tactually lay out a desk to comfort and satisfaction then label it
on a chart (kept handy) to replace where it goes. All done in Braille! Some associates
suggest that olfactory (smell) be incorporated into labels on clothing. Cool stuff ehh!

We are new to low vision issues. However, we use baskets to keep like items together.
One at the bathroom sink for toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving items, lotion, comb.
Another one outside the shower for tissues, comb, deodorant, Qtips, body lotion.
One at the bedside for medicine bottles and strip set for pills.

That is a good question and one that I am really struggling with at the moment. I have
learned to read Braille and am trying to organize things using Braille. I have a Braille
appointment book with Braille calendar pages where I keep appointments and phone
numbers.
Haven't done much with clothes yet.
Turned over most of the paper work to my husband. But I have started writing in
Braille on the top of bills and have three folders to keep paid bills in. One for Medical
info, one for tax info and one for other bills.
I have lots to learn and am hoping there will be lots of tips from other ZoomText users
here that will be passed on to me. But would love to win the $100.
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I am legally blind. What helps me the most is keeping things in the same place. I try
to assign everything to its own location, whether that is in the kitchen, on a desk or a
dresser. This usually helps me stay organized if my memory stays intact! This way I
always know where to look and I try to get myself in the habit of replacing things in its
assigned location after every use.

Becca, to organize my tech cave, I use rubber bands on all my cables. Then I use a
20/20 pen and a slip of paper for labeling.

My best tip for sightless organizations' are to buy accessible software and hardware,
this will assist with independent work place!
I use barcode’s (UPC) to keep track of all my household items for independent daily
living skills!
For the items that do not have a UPC, I have self-adhesive, iron on or a UPC sticker
with rubber band!
The “UPC” can integrate with PDA and scanners such as the iPhone!

I think it is important to keep everything in the same spot to stay organized and to
have some sort of label on items for identification purposes.

Learn to use assistive technology, such as color identifiers, money identifiers, label
readers, and so forth.
Everything has a place, and the thing should always be put back in its place after use!!

First off, let me thank you for your hard work over the years – you’ve made computer
use easier for me almost as long as I can remember.
And now, my organization tip.
We all know about using the clock metaphor to find food on a plate. But that
metaphor is useful in other ways too. For example, when I’m in my kitchen, I use my
stove as 12 o’clock. From there, everything else falls into place. My apron and dish
towels are in a drawer around 1 o’clock, pots and pans are in the cabinets at about 4
o’clock, the sink’s at 6, the fridge is at 10, and so forth. Since kitchens use vertical
space as well as horizontal space, I use minutes to determine how high up something
is. The higher the minutes, the higher the objects. So the cabinets below my sink
would be 6:15, the cabinets just above would be 6:30, and the top shelf would be
6:45.
I’m not religious in this system, of course, but when I’m looking for something it does
help me get my bearings.
Thanks for entering me into the contest, and thanks once again for your hard work!

Compartmentalize, compartmentalize, compartmentalize! <smile>
I'm not terribly anal by nature, though you'd never know that looking at my dresser
drawers! Visual impairment has forced me to become somewhat "rigid" about where
exactly I keep my white socks vs. dark socks, regular t-shirts vs. undershirts or formal
vs. casual wear within a given dresser drawer. Mentally compartmentalizing each
drawer has helped, deliberately thinking of each drawer as a distinct "compartment",
containing only one specific type of item. In a case where a single drawer invariably
contains several different types of an item however - sock drawer, as an example - I
further refine my "mental compartments" by subdividing that drawer, placing the
items in clockwise order (i.e. black dress socks at 10 o'clock, blue dress socks at 12
o'clock, etc.).
Can I just say? NOT a fan of the new trend for tagless t-shirts!! <smile> BRING BACK
THE TAGS, as they always provided a good tactile cue as to how the shirt you're
putting on was oriented. You can't always discern the "printed tags" on the t-shirt
material, making the only way of telling it's on backwards to be once it's on and feels
like a turtleneck!

My best tip for sightless organization is memorization and having a structured routine
to remember where certain items or clothes are located. That and having a solid
support system.
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OMG, I don't have a tip, but I sure need one: DEALING WITH SMALL PIECES OF PAPER
FOR TAXES is a TRAUMA and a chore, and I'm in deep trouble because of that...

This is not an exciting tip, but it works for me -- when I remember to do it.
I try to think of a place for everything I own and keep each item in its respective place
when I am not using it. When I use something, I try to put it back as soon as I can. If I
can't put something back small away right away, and if the item is not sharp or wet, I
slip it into a pocket. That will remind me.

My best tip for organization, both from a professional and personal standpoint, is
relentless scanning and cataloging of important documents. As a visually-impaired
attorney, it’s imperative to be able to find documents at a moment’s notice.
Maintaining a disciplined electronic file cabinet is the best way I can accomplish this
and reduces my dependence on others to retrieve and read documents for me because
I use ZoomText to read the digitized documents on the fly while talking to clients. I
use the same system for personal documents as well, including bills, birth certificates,
tax documentation, and even my kids’ homework assignments so I can assist them.
This practice reduces my storage space and costs to almost nothing and makes my life
a lot less stressful.

My best tip for sightless organization is to provide the latest medical breakthrough for
people with low vision.

There are a number of ways to keep track of clothing, food, etc. You can label with
tactile labels in Braille or large print, use label reader devices, use audio reader or
magnification devices. The possibilities are endless.

Organized? What is that?
Hats off to Cathy for a thought provoking question such as how do I keep organized. It
is about to send me off on a philosophical quest on my life at my age and the need for
organization.
I am older than dirt as mentioned in one of my previous stories. So, at aged dirt
stage, I ask myself why would I want to be? I have proved to myself and to those who
know me that I am determined and disciplined and successful and feel the need to
prove nothing to anyone any more. Having said that, my key to organization has been
a good husband. As long as I know where he is, I can find just about anything I need or
want in my home. Shame on me, I know. I should be self-sufficient and independent
blah blah blah. However, it is just so much easier to let him worry about that sort of
stuff. That is, until recently. He is older than I am and he is fossil material. In
addition, it is golf season (cannot swear that by me today as it is snowing as I write
this) and that means I turn into what is commonly termed as “the golf widow”. So,
that means I have to find tips and tricks for finding things I use around the house.
Being independent. Back to that again.
I try to apply the principle “keep it simple stupid” since my memory is not quite as
sharp as it was when I was in my 30’s. However, as much as I try to keep things simple
and keep myself organized, I cannot recall half the time where I put anything even if it
is in a place where it where it should belong. Where would that be?
So here are a couple of tips and tricks I employ for organizing everything from recipes,
to food, to clothes and so on.
Clothes…….
Socks are my biggest problem or pain the ……. Does anyone have that problem? Well,
here is a sure way to solve that problem of matching socks. At least it will work for
those with partial vision. I wear only white and black. If they still get mixed up, too
bad I wear them anyway. Besides, it is the craze to wear miss matched socks. There
is a whole company on the web that sells just that. My black socks are a little higher
cut than the white socks as the white socks are athletic socks to wear inside sneakers.
Done. Simple? Therefore if I wear anything brown and do not want to look stupid, I
wear boots. Always have an expensive pair of nice boots and no one will look at your
socks.
Now shoes are a little more difficult. I like shoes. What woman doesn’t? So I have a
shoe rack in the closet and if you did not know me, you would think I was OCD or
something as I have my shoes arranged in rows. One row is all black shoes, one row is
brown shoes, and one row is tan shoes. I just have to remember which row is which.
That is where a good husband comes in. He can easily tell me which row is black or
brown and I still maintain my independence.
My desk and/or Paper Crap……
Well, I do not work outside of this home so I only need to track and organize a few
personal items when it comes to my desk. I use my computer for personal items only.
I read about a tip on how to keep your usernames and passwords organized. I use an
old address book to keep those handy usernames and passwords handy when I am
shopping or just logging in to websites. Again, just ask the hubs where is my address
book? Recently, Smart computing magazine suggested that you keep these usernames
and passwords on an Excel spreadsheet and password protect it. Now that is an idea
should I ever get around to doing that. I am too busy looking for the address book
with all that info to find time to sit down and type all that crap into a spreadsheet.
I keep all my recipes stored on my computer. That alone made life easier for me.
NOT. Now there is no excuse for not cooking. But if I must, I have my recipes in a
folder called…recipes! Inside are subfolders named after sections you might find in a
cookbook. For example, Breads, Muffins etc. Meats, Appetizers and so on and so
forth. I even went so far as to create sub folders in each of those. For instance, cakes
contain subfolders called frostings and cakes and Meats contain subfolders called
chicken, beef and pork. It may sound so simple, but when you have about 300 recipes,
it is so much easier to look through a subfolder containing ten chicken recipes as
opposed to 100 recipes of meat when looking for that no brainer chicken recipe.
My disks………
I have about 200 burned CDs of music and none of them are labeled. So I store them
in the cupboard of my desk and just download the music all over again from the
Internet. So much easier. If I get organized someday, I just may play the CDs and
label them or save them to my computer so I can toss the CD away. But, I may not
live so long.
Kitchen……Help!
I cannot find a way to get organized there. I really believe it would take an expensive
product for reading labels from cans and packages and then just throwing caution to
the wind. You would not need to be organized. I am organized in that I have all my
spices and herbs on one shelf in a cupboard. I even got so far to put spices most
commonly used in baking on a different shelf. But I will be damned if I am going to
alphabetize my spices like my sister does.
And, this is where having a man in the house interferes with kitchen organization. I
tried organizing my pantry putting all the soup cans in one section of a shelf, all the
bottles in another etc. etc. Well, the “hoarder of groceries” keeps buying two or
three things of any one item I put on the grocery list and now things are all stuffed in
the pantry wherever they can fit.
So the best I can get my organization of the kitchen down to is just knowing ahead of
time what I am cooking for the evening meal and whether I will bake during the day.
At that point, I have my hubs pull out every spice or can of soup or broth or frozen
food in the freezer before he leaves for work. My strategy there is for him to feel the
frustration of trying to find anything in the pantry or freezer and perhaps stop over
spending. So far no luck on that.
What is really going to help is bringing my old computer down to the first floor so that
my recipes are close at hand when preparing meals. Yes, I am getting a new
computer. I hope to purchase the camera and stand for the downstairs computer so
that if I should be inspired to make something on a whim, I might be able to read
labels under the CCTV of the camera. There is nothing worse than waking up in the
morning and having the first thing on your mind be what to make for dinner.
Especially when I do not want to make it anyway. By the time I think of something,
recall all the ingredients I will need to prepare it, and to the time I have to make it, it
no longer even appeals to me half the time.
Oh oh oh…… here is a bummer when it comes to my kitchen tools. You all will
appreciate this I am sure. I nest measuring cups inside each other so that I know
without having to read the size on the handle which cup is half a cup or a third cup.
The same applies to the measuring spoons. You know how they all come on a ring to
keep them together? Well, I cannot get it through my hubs thick head that they are
not to be taken off the ring. That means, I have to hunt through the drawer until I
find all the matching measuring spoons to put it together to figure out which one is a
half teaspoon or quarter teaspoon. That takes time especially when your drawer is
full of kitchen tools and gadgets. So I have my own measuring spoon set and I sleep
with it. That way I know where it is. No, not really but if it comes down to that, I
will. I am serious when it comes to my measuring spoons. This brings me back full
circle to the question of “to be organized or not to be organized”? Or, rather “to be
independent or not to be independent”? One of these days, you will be reading an
obit of my husband in the paper and I suppose I should still strive to be more selfsufficient. My husband is not ill and is in pretty good health but I am just saying……….
Well, Martha Stewart I am not. I look forward to reading any tips that might help me.
I am sure there are more ways and more efficient means to keeping my life in order.
And, it would be nice not to wear boots on a hot summer day cause I have white socks
on with a brown outfit.

I would ask someone what they are and then label them so that I would know what
they are and put them where I could go back to find that idem. If that involves Braille
labels or using a dark marker on paper.

Years ago I learned a few tricks about organization and labeling from a local VR
teacher. I wear dark blue socks with some pants and black socks with others. The
problem is that with my poor color vision they look the same unless I put them under
an intensely bright light. The solution that the teacher suggested was using a product
called Sock Tuckers or Sock Pro. They are little plastic discs with teeth that hold a
pair of socks together even through the wash and dry cycle. I keep my blue socks in
the discs all the time so it is easy to find them quickly. The sock holders are available
at The Container Store and Amazon.
Another helpful item is what are called “loc dots”. They are little stickers with dots
as small as a pencil tip up to a large pencil eraser head. I have these dots on my
microwave. I don’t have every button labeled since it would be too cluttered. I mark
the 1, 4, and 7 buttons as well as the 3, 6, and 9 buttons. This helps me orient myself
to the keypad which is laid out the same as a telephone. Then I have the start button
labeled with a large loc dot. We recently got a new wall oven that I marked with loc
dots.
The loc dots are available from low vision product catalogs like LS&S or Independent
Living Aids.
I have been using a helpful iPhone app to identify items in my house especially in the
kitchen. It is called oMoby. I use it to scan barcodes of items that I can’t read the
label information on. For example we have a variety of canned vegetables in our
pantry. Inevitably the best organization plan can be messed up. So if there is a can
that I am not quite sure about I will scan its barcode with oMoby. It is very good at
identifying major national brands. It also has a lookup feature that uses Google and
Amazon to locate the barcode description on the internet. The app is free and gets
regular updates. It does take a little practice with the phone’s camera to get the
barcodes identified quickly.

I keep track of my different charger and USB cables: cell phone, digital camera,
Optelec Mini, Victor Reader etc. using Pen Friend labels. I also use the Pen Friend
labels to label my medications. I have my pharmacy read the directions onto the
labels. In addition my meds are marked in large print and Braille allowing me to read
my meds no matter what my vision is on any given day.

The best way for me to find things is to always put them in the same place! Besides
that, the best way to organize small things is with containers: baskets, trays, movingboxes, shoe-boxes, shelves, drawers, & bins. I tried labeling drawers & containers, but
that did not work for me: after a while the contents changes & it’s hard to change
labels written on the box or on tape! I just have to go hunting and rooting thru stuff. If
I get thru everything once in a while, I will remember what I have & sorta where it is!
A flashlight helps a lot!!!

I got this email re a webinar I signed up for but forgot to attend. Thank goodness
they archive the materials.
https://perkins.adobeconnect.com/system/get-player?urlPath=/p44wxk84z0f/
<-Webinar link, requires Flash player
Re food, the Hadley school has an independent living corse that people who work with
the visually impaired (and the visually impaired themselves) can sign up for. The
course is handled via correspondence. The course curriculum is at
http://www.hadley.edu/ShowCourseDetail.asp?courseid=DPF-101#. Hadley has
several courses, their web site is http://www.hadley.edu. They have various
programs, and program course listings in downloadable PDF and RTF format
are at http://www.hadley.edu/Findacourse.asp.
Independent Living for Family Members and Professionals
Adjusting to vision loss is a process. Initially, clients or family members who have just
learned that they are losing vision may be filled with doubts. But those uncertainties
can be replaced with a growing sense of optimism as they learn different ways to
complete the everyday tasks that were once performed with vision. This course
suggests a variety of ways to do just that. The techniques, adapted aids, and resources
described in this course can help your clients or family members reach their goal of
living more independently. As its title implies, the content of this course is drawn from
many activities across the day. The course provides information they can use to carry
out the many tasks of daily living in a competent, more independent way.
Course ID: D-PF-101
Available in: cassette and print
Organization: 7 lessons (Lesson 6 is optional for students who live outside the United
States.)
COURSE DETAILS
Prerequisites: None
Students who are U.S. residents are required to submit seven assignments to their
instructor. Students who live outside the U.S. need only submit six assignments.
Grading: Letter grade A to F
Average Completion Time: 9 months
Course Materials: 9 cassettes or 1 print volume and a resource list
Supplementary Materials: The shipment includes sock tuckers, a wire-loop threader,
tactile markers, egg rings, signature writing guide, and envelope writing guide, as well
as the cassette or large print version of the booklet, "Social Security: If You Are Blind,
How We Can Help."
OBJECTIVES AND CONTENT
The goal of this course is to help you in assisting blind or visually impaired people live
more independently.
Lesson 1 describes how to safely and competently move through familiar
environments. After completing this lesson, you will be able to help your family
member or client:
a. gather sensory information about the environment
b. modify the environment
c. move safely through familiar environments
Lesson 2 presents various tips for managing personal needs. After completing this
lesson, you will be able to help your family member or client:
a. use personal care items
b. coordinate a wardrobe
c. launder clothes
d. mend clothes
Lesson 3 suggests food handling techniques. After completing this lesson, you will be
able to help your family member or client:
a. organize the kitchen
b. prepare meals
c. share meals with other people
Lesson 4 explains how to efficiently manage time and money. After completing this
lesson, you will be able to help your family member or client:
a. keep track of time
b. establish reliable recordkeeping techniques
c. handle money matters efficiently
d. use low-tech ways to stay in touch
e. use high-tech ways to communicate
Lesson 5 suggests a number of housekeeping techniques. After completing this lesson,
you will be able to help your family member or client:
a. handle common housekeeping chores
b. clean the kitchen
c. clean the bathroom
d. undertake a thorough spring cleaning
Lesson 6 addresses the needs of blind or visually impaired individuals who live in the
United States. Specifically, it identifies resources that they can access. After
completing this lesson, you will be able to help your family member or client:
a. establish rehabilitation needs and goals
b. access government programs and services
c. identify which national organizations might best serve his or her needs
Lesson 7 describes recreational activities that blind or visually impaired people enjoy.
After completing this lesson, you will be able to help your family member or client:
a. sample lifelong learning activities
b. enjoy entertainment opportunities
c. participate in indoor sports activities
d. participate in outdoor sports activities
e. explore travel options
The Resource List is organized by topic, namely Aids and Appliance Suppliers, Lifelong
Learning, Entertainment, Sports, Travel, Government Organizations and Assistive
Technology. It includes the most current addresses and telephone numbers of the
organizations mentioned in this course, as well as email addresses and Web sites, if
available.