Second Sense

If you have age-related macular degeneration, or have a loved one who does, they may experience hallucinations – seeing people, landscapes, or objects that are not there. This condition, called Charles Bonnet Syndrom,(CBS) is often credited to dementia or cognitive decline, but this is not the case. When the brain lacks sensory input from vision, it makes up for it by creating these hallucinations. They are not harmful but can be disconcerting to both the individual and those around them. Unfortunately, there is no medical treatment for the condition. This article provides an excellent overview of Charles Bonnet Syndrome and a tip or two on how to manage the uneasy feelings that come with the hallucinations.

A strange side effect of vision loss doctors should know about | MDLinx A striking clinical paradox can emerge when vision begins to fail: Some patients start seeing things that are not there. For physicians caring for older adults with significant visual impairment—particularly those with age-related macular degeneration (AMD)—that phenomenon may be a sign of Charl...

Check out this audio described TV commercial demonstrating the new accessibility features included in Apple Intelligence. What a game changer for someone with vision loss! As a reminder, we recommend waiting until iOS 27.2 is out before updating. There are some bugs that may be an inconvenience for those using Voiceover. Let us know what you think about the commercial!

Apple unveils new accessibility features, and updates with Apple Intelligence Apple announced major accessibility updates powered by Apple Intelligence, including new capabilities for VoiceOver, Magnifier, and Voice Control.

A financial institution designed specifically for people with disabilities – is there such a thing? Just managing your personal finances is hard enough, then there is always issues with accessibility. The bank’s app may not be accessible with your screen reader. Getting to a physical bank can be hard when transportation is a problem. And, there are those times you just need to talk to a real person who understands the problem you are facing. All these challenges can result not only in frustration, but financial hardship as well. Now, with backing of some large, well-established foundations, and in partnership with the Michigan State Federal Credit Union, there will be a financial institution for people with disabilities! Read on to learn about Artichoke Credit Union and the financial services designed for people with disabilities coming next year.

Ford, MacArthur, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundations Announce First-of-Its-Kind Credit Union for People with Disabilities - Ford Foundation Discover Artichoke Credit Union, the first credit union designed with and for the disability community to advance financial inclusion.

For an artist, it must be so fun and rewarding to paint a sunset. No two are the same and you can use so many different colors! Stella explains in her latest post about her process of using pastels to paint a sunset and the endless possibilities there are in doing so.

Sunsets We can be in awe of this amazing ever repeating occurrence

Many people with vision loss complain that glare is a significant problem. Bright sunlight, overhead lighting, and vehicle headlights can cause discomfort. Glare can also reduce contrast making it hard to pick out details in your environment. This Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 1:00 pm, Mandi Hetzel leads a new hands-on workshop at Second Sense to help you learn how glare affects your vision and its impact on your daily life. Discover how to identify common sources of glare and compare a variety of glare control options. To RSVP, please call us at 312-236-8569.

From Sunlight to Screens: Strategies for Managing Glare - Second Sense In this new, hands-on workshop you'll learn practical strategies for reducing the impact of glare in your daily life.

Our October Apple Exchange is all about what’s new in iOS 27. In the meantime, you might want to check out this link from AppleVis that Eric shared with the Second Sense staff on what accessibility features have bugs that need to be fixed. Another reason to be careful about updating right away – iOS 27.1 will be out shortly and hopefully some of these issues will be repaired.

iOS 27 and iPadOS 27: A Summary of VoiceOver and Braille Issues and Improvements | AppleVis iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 were released to the public on Monday, September 14, 2026. This post contains a summary of new bugs and fixes impacting VoiceOver and Braille support that the AppleVis Editorial Team has independently validated during our use and testing of these releases.

The Chicago guide dog group is meeting at Blind Service Chicago this Saturday from 10:30 am to noon. This is a great opportunity to gain some insight on guide dog travel and network with other guide dog handlers. You will also learn about Pilates and how this exercise strategy can help target and strengthen key muscles and vestibular stabilization required for mobility, especially with a guide dog. All guide dog handlers are welcome regardless of what school you attended. To RSVP, contact Pam Berman via email [email protected]

An announcement from the American Council of the Blind highlights the latest Supreme Court decision on mail-in ballots for the Upcoming November midterm election. “We are incredibly happy to announce that the Supreme Court has blocked a new policy which attempted to restrict mail ballots in the 2026 midterm elections. This decision means that states can continue sending out and accepting mail ballots for the upcoming midterm elections as they have done in years past, which is a win for the disability community.” To learn more about your voting options, join Second Sense when we welcome the League of Women Voters on Wednesday, October 7 at 1:00 pm. Please call the office for the Zoom information.
An announcement from the American Council of the Blind highlights the latest Supreme Court decision on mail-in ballots for the Upcoming November midterm election. “We are incredibly happy to announce that the Supreme Court has blocked a new policy which attempted to restrict mail ballots in the 2026 midterm elections. This decision means that states can continue sending out and accepting mail ballots for the upcoming midterm elections as they have done in years past, which is a win for the disability community.” To learn more about your voting options, join Second Sense when we welcome the League of Women Voters on Wednesday, October 7 at 1:00 pm. Please call the office for the Zoom information.
An announcement from the American Council of the Blind highlights the latest Supreme Court decision on mail-in ballots for the Upcoming November midterm election. “We are incredibly happy to announce that the Supreme Court has blocked a new policy which attempted to restrict mail ballots in the 2026 midterm elections. This decision means that states can continue sending out and accepting mail ballots for the upcoming midterm elections as they have done in years past, which is a win for the disability community.” To learn more about your voting options, join Second Sense when we welcome the League of Women Voters on Wednesday, October 7 at 1:00 pm. Please call the office for the Zoom information.

Make Sure Your Vote is Heard! - Second Sense Join us to learn about voter registration, polling places, early voting, and researching candidates.

As the saying goes, “it takes a village.” This is also true for raising a highly trained guide dog. In this clip, Molly Burke talks with a puppy raiser about the demanding and emotional path of preparing a young dog for its next stage of training. You’ll learn about the early socialization, daily routines, and the difficult handoff when it’s time for a puppy’s formal guide work training. Spoiler alert! Guide dog puppy in training appears in this video! .

What It's Really Like Being A Guide Dog Puppy Raiser What It's Really Like Raising a Guide Dog Puppy for Guide Dogs of A...

Are you looking for an affordable computer with the assistive technology you need to manage your life? Computers for the blind (CFTB) provides refurbished computers with JAWS, Fusion, or ZoomText. On Thursday, September 17 at 1:00 pm, Second Sense welcomes Computers for the Blind to share information on how you can obtain one of these computers and software programs. To join us, call our office at 312-236-8569 to request the Zoom information.

Affordable Computers with the Assistive Software You Need - Second Sense Erika Engler from Computers for the Blind shares the things you need to know to obtain the technology you need for your life and future.