New On-line Store Lets People with Visual Disabilities Shop for Aids by Computer By Kim Saylor Brannock Cabinet for Workforce Development Kentuckians who are visually impaired can now shop for visual aids by computer at the Kentucky Department for the Blind's (DFB) new See World On-line Store at https://seeworld.ky.gov. The site also gives family members of visually impaired people and rehabilitation counselors a resource where they can view merchandise on-line before ordering it. Nearly 600 items, including clocks, calculators, kitchen utensils, magnifiers and writing aids, can be purchased from the on-line store. All items have descriptions and about 50 percent are accompanied by a photograph. The on-line store is an extension of the See World Store located at the Charles W. McDowell Rehabilitation Center in Louisville. DFB Commissioner Denise Placido said, "Assistive technology is one way we can help our customers become more independent and productive in the workplace, community, school and home. The See World On-line Store makes those items easier to buy. It is also a great resource for employers who want to accommodate or hire workers who have a vision loss." Kirsten Schmidt, sales coordinator for the See World Store, said photographs will continue to be added to the Web site with the goal of having a picture for each item. "Before we put store products on-line, I would have to describe to someone over the phone how an item looked or its size, or the person would have to come to our store to see an item. The See World On-line Store allows people who have some vision to use a computer to look at merchandise," Schmidt said. "It's also great for a family member of someone with a visual impairment or the person's rehabilitation counselor to be able to go the Web site and see the product before ordering." Schmidt said that the store not only serves people in Kentucky but also gets orders from across the United States. By putting photographed items on-line, Schmidt said she expects even more orders from outside the state. DFB, an agency of the Cabinet for Workforce Development, provides job counseling, education, job training and assistive technology services to Kentuckians who are blind or visually impaired. Cabinet for Workforce Development - Connecting Kentucky to employment, workforce information, education and training. -- end --	Home August 2003 Techlines Archive
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