Overcome Vision Loss -

Photo Exhibit Designed for Blind and Sighted Visitors is Honored 3DPhotoWorks accepted the 2019 Colonel John H. Magruder III Award from the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation for an innovative tactile photo exhibit created in partnership with the Newseum, Stars and Stripes and the National Federation of the Blind. “The Marines and Tet: The Battle That Changed the Vietnam War” was the first major exhibit in the United States to incorporate 3DPhotoWorks technology that delivers visual information to blind and low-vision visitors. It was displayed at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., in 2018. Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., USMC, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Robert B. Neller, USMC, commandant of the Marine Corps, and John F. Kelly, former White House chief of staff, were on hand for the presentation as 3DPhotoWorks co-founder John Olson accepted the award at the foundation’s annual gala in Quantico, Va. The awards honor exemplary work that furthers understanding of Marine Corps history, traditions, culture, and service. More than 350 blind members of the NFB attended the January 2018 opening of “The Marines and Tet” at the Newseum. In the first three months, the exhibit was open, 84,000 visitors had access to the groundbreaking exhibit that brought touch and sound to the first-person story of a battle that changed the course of the Vietnam War. More than 285 million people worldwide are blind or low-sighted. Museums can provide life-enhancing opportunities for the blind to learn and achieve independence and equality. 'The Marines and Tet' Tactile Photo Exhibit Available The award-winning photo exhibit, “The Marines and Tet: The Battle That Changed the Vietnam War” is available to tour. The exhibit features 20 large-format photographs and 10 tactile versions of those images with embedded descriptive audio sensors. The photographs were taken during the 1968 Tet Offensive, a bloody battle that became a turning point in the Vietnam War. The groundbreaking photo exhibit includes audio interviews with 11 of the Marines who fought in the battle, and the doctor who treated them. “The Marines and Tet” has been featured on “CBS News Sunday Morning,” Fox News, The Washington Post and C-SPAN. See the photos. Hear the survivors describe the battle and life after. 'The Marines and Tet' Tactile Photo Exhibit Available Hear What They Have To Say 'The Marines and Tet' Tactile Photo Exhibit Available This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 3DPhotoWorks and the National Federation of the Blind collaborated on an Accessibility Resource Kit, which includes a tactile image sample and valuable information from the NFB about making exhibits accessible for both blind and sighted visitors. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.     Copyright © 2019 3DPhotoWorks, All rights reserved.  Our mailing address is:  3DPhotoWorks 124 Hudson Ave Chatham, NY  12037-1429

February is the month for increasing awareness of Macular Degeneration, often called age-related macular degeneration or AMD. AMD is an eye disorder that normally occurs with aging and causes a loss of sharp, central vision. We use our central vision for many tasks during the day, to read, to drive, to watch TV or a computer screen; it is how we see clearly.

I want us to spend a moment thinking about what having AMD would mean in our lives and how it would affect us. Imagine having a conversation with a person who is very important to you, but not being able to see their face when you look at them. How would you know how they were reacting to your comments or your questions? You could not see their smiles or a frown on their face. The only way you could see those expressions would be to turn away from them and watch them out of your peripheral side vision. Would they wonder why you were “not looking at them” during your conversation? What would they think if they did not know of your vision loss? Would they think you were being rude, trying to end the conversation, looking for someone more interesting to talk with?

In another situation, imagine you were just being introduced to someone, but you need to look sideways in order to see their face. You turn away and appear to be looking in another direction...Would they feel that you were pleased to meet them?

It is estimated that 1.8 million Americans aged 40 years and older are affected by AMD and an additional 7.3 million are at substantial risk of developing AMD. It is very likely that you know someone with AMD; why don’t you talk with them about it and learn how to assist in making their lives a little bit easier?

Vision loss awareness: Let’s not make it more than just a thought in February!

Over 3.6 million Americans above the age of 40 suffer from a diabetic eye disease, most commonly diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness for American adults and the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. The number of Americans with diabetic retinopathy is projected to increase 50% by 2030.

If you have diabetes, please get a comprehensive eye exam annually even if you do not believe you are experiencing any vision difficulties. The vision loss is caused by high blood glucose levels that damage or destroy blood vessels in the retina.

This damage is irreversible—but the damage may be prevented in many cases if detected early. Unfortunately, symptoms often not detected until the condition reaches an advanced stage. These symptoms include blurry or double vision and can include dark patches in your vision or floaters. If you have any of these symptoms please schedule an eye exam as soon as possible.

Why celebrate a “White Cane” Day? It was originally hailed as a “staff of independence” when the day was first established by our Congress in 1964.

But if it is such a great tool, why don’t we see more of them?

If you think back to October 15, 2015, did you see a single white cane? I presented a seminar to a group of about 90 health care professionals the other morning and I asked them: did they know October 15 was “White Cane Day” and did they see one? No one knew of the celebration nor had a single white cane been spotted that day.

I have spoken with women who have lost a portion of, or all of their sight as adults, about their thoughts about the white cane and the fact they were not using them. At first, they looked towards me and shook their heads as though asking themselves “did she really ask me that question?”

Then I continued, “I have a theory about why I don’t see women with canes, but since I am sighted, I don’t know if my theory is correct….” The answer was not a surprise to me; why on earth do we want to wave a “red flag” and bring to people’s attention that we are vulnerable? As women, we often wonder if we are in safe environments or entering an area were the risk of assault or rape is increased.

Why are we silent about this? It is difficult enough for people to overcome vision loss. Why aren’t better tools and modern technology out there for this growing population of the visually impaired?

I think it is time for open and frank discussion. Will you join me?

We earlier posted a success story involving eSight, and how its product helped a woman see her son for the very first time. Here is another, and it tells the story of Nicholas, who a 17-year-old cellist from Lawrenceville, Georgia and has been legally blind since birth. He has played at Carnegie Hall and his dream is to turn his talent into a career, but in order to join a professional orchestra, Nicholas needs to have the ability to sight-read.

In April, Nicholas received his eSight and Kleenex - a product you may need when watching this - created an amazing video about it.