My Tools for Living

06/18/2026

Choosing the right cell phone can feel overwhelming, especially when accessibility matters.

Some people want a simple phone with tactile buttons for calls and texts. Others want smartphone features, apps, voice commands, magnification, or screen reading support. Our latest My Tools for Living blog walks through accessible phone options, including simple cell phones, tactile smart devices, iPhone accessibility, and Android accessibility.

You’ll also learn how to request digital accessibility resources by email, including informational guides for setting up accessibility features on iPhone or Android.

Read the blog: https://mytoolsforliving.com/blogs/my-tool-tips/choosing-a-cell-phone-while-low-vision-or-blind

Need more personalized help? You can request a virtual, telephone, or in person consultation here: https://mytoolsforliving.com/pages/schedule-consultation

You can also email us at [email protected] to request digital accessibility resources.

Compare accessible cell phones, tactile phones, iPhone and Android accessibility features, and digital setup guides from My Tools for Living.

06/16/2026

Looking for a device that can read printed text out loud?

Our latest My Tool Tips blog compares two reading solutions for people who are blind or low vision. One option focuses on simple audio-first reading with fewer steps, while the other adds visual enlargement, contrast controls, and monitor connectivity.

Read the comparison to find which type of text-to-speech reader fits your daily needs best:

https://mytoolsforliving.com/blogs/my-tool-tips/lyriq-vs-smart-reader-hd

Compare LyriQ and Smart Reader HD to choose the right text-to-speech reader for blindness, low vision, or memory loss.

06/08/2026

Your phone's been offering to help. You just haven't said yes yet.

Think about the last time you handed your phone to someone else to read a text. Or zoomed in on a screenshot and still couldn't quite make it out. Or skipped an article because the font was too small to bother.

Your phone already knows how to fix that. You can learn how from our Digital Accessibility Resources found on My Tools for Living.

Flip various accessibility features on and your phone will read can magnify or read anything on your screen out loud: messages, labels, reminders, or articles. No squinting required.

It only takes a few minutes to set up and a half hour to learn!

06/06/2026

Whether you're adapting to a disability, supporting a loved one, or planning to age in place, finding the right tools can make all the difference. Discover products that support independence, safety, mobility, vision, and daily living.

Explore the collection at MyToolsForLiving.com.

06/05/2026

When someone you love has low vision, the instinct is to step in. Help faster. Do more. But often, what they need most is for the tools to be accessible, not for someone to take over.

Leave the magnifier on the counter, not in the junk drawer. Set up the phone's accessibility features once so they're just there. Ask what's frustrating rather than assuming what needs fixing.

Helping someone stay independent is different from doing things for them. It's harder, more patient work, and it matters more.

Our team is here for caregivers too. Visit My Tools for Living in person, shop online, or call 1-800-919-3375.

https://mytoolsforliving.com

06/03/2026

The talking clock that ended the phone-checking habit.

Reaching for your phone to check the time sounds small until you're doing it several times a day, and each time the screen is too bright, too small, or just one more thing to squint at.

A talking clock tells you the time out loud, on demand. No screen. No glasses. No unlocking anything.

Bedside, kitchen counter, desk. Wherever time tends to be a question.

Find talking clocks and other talking tools at www.mytoolsforliving.com, in our store, or call a specialist directly at 1-800-919-3375

06/01/2026

Your handheld magnifier got you here. But is it still keeping up?

There's a natural progression nobody talks about.

The handheld was perfect for quick tasks. But somewhere along the way, the quick tasks got longer, and holding a small screen steady for twenty minutes started feeling like a workout on top of the task you were already trying to do.

We wrote about the next step on the My Tech Tips blog. https://mytoolsforliving.com/blogs/my-tool-tips/beyond-handheld-electronic-magnifiers

Our specialists are in store to demo tools in person and available by phone to talk you through your needs 1-800-919-3375.

Explore when it’s time to move beyond smaller electronic magnifiers and discover larger, portable options built for easier, more comfortable daily use.

05/29/2026

"My eyes are fine. I just need better glasses."

And sometimes it's true. But sometimes "I just need better glasses" is the story someone's been telling themselves for years while quietly adjusting everything around the thing they don't want to name.

Healthy Vision Month is about giving you permission to stop guessing and start making decisions with real information.

You don't have to be ready to call it anything. You just have to stop in the store to demo tools in person or call our specialists to talk through your needs 1-800-919-3375.

05/29/2026

The Seeing What’s Possible Anniversary Gala was truly incredible! At My Tools for Living, we are grateful to be part of The Chicago Lighthouse's 120th anniversary and look forward to the future.

05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day! If you’re heading to a BBQ, park, or family visit today, a small plan can make the day feel calmer. New spaces often bring mixed lighting, glare, and “Where is it?” moments.

Before you leave, do a quick check: Bring sunglasses or a hat for glare, your phone charger, water, and one quick-read tool you trust. If you’re hosting, keep walkways clear and put drinks, plates, and utensils in one consistent spot.

Less problem-solving. More enjoying time with the people you care about.