Building Confidence Through Digital Skills – Nicola’s Story
how tech training can help overcome barriers
Technology can play an important role in helping people with sight loss stay connected, access information and maintain their independence.
Through our free one-to-one Digital Skills Programme, people receive personalised support to build confidence using accessible technology in ways that make a real difference to their everyday lives.
This case study highlights how tailored training can help someone overcome barriers, develop new skills and discover practical tools that support greater independence.
accessing support
Nicola’s sight loss journey began in her 40s. Over time, basic tasks became impossible such as using her mobile phone for calls, texts, and emails.
Help was at hand. Through her local macular group, Wem-resident Nicola found out about the free digital support for visually impaired residents available from Sight Loss Shropshire.
“My eyesight deteriorated in 2017 and I am now registered blind,” said Nicola. “Sight Loss Shropshire’s digital support service has been so helpful. Their digital trainer, Vicki, has been visiting me at home to support me. No question was too silly, and being visually impaired herself, Vicki’s knowledge and experience gave me the assurance that I could learn to use technology again – just in a different way.
“The support has been invaluable, providing me with an iPhone which I wouldn’t have been able to afford or even consider. iPhone technology is the most advanced available for people with sight loss, and Vicki has helped me to understand how to use voice activation to get the help I need.”
overcoming challenges
Visual impairment has brought huge challenges for Nicola and her husband Martin. Though she no longer works or drives, Nicola is fiercely independent and hopes to get back on track thanks to the help and support she has received.
“I realise I need to learn to accept the limitations I now live with, but I want to be able to do as much as possible for myself,” she said. “Everyone takes for granted that they can glance at a clock to find out the time, and it’s frustrating when you can’t.
My iPhone tells me the time whenever I want to know. I can use voice activation to send and receive calls, texts, emails and use the internet. Having an iPhone and being supported to understand how to use it has changed my life for the better.”
Vicki Edwards, digital trainer from Sight Loss Shropshire, added: “Losing your eyesight can be a difficult and frightening experience. This Shropshire Council-funded service enables people who are dealing with sight loss to make the best out of the technology available to them.
We offer tailored one-to-one support, either in the community or at home, to help people learn new skills, or adapt their existing knowledge using smartphones, tablets, and smart speakers.”
Discover Helpful Technology for Living with Sight Loss
Alexa
A smart speaker can be a simple tool with a big impact, from setting reminders to accessing information, supporting independence at home.
Thinking ahead, Nicola is considering installing an Alexa into her home to benefit from more voice-activated technology and she continues to access free digital support from the Sight Loss Shropshire team.
find out more
You can explore more about useful apps, accessible technology and smart speakers in our Tech Talk series, designed to help people with sight loss discover tools that can support everyday tasks, independence and staying connected.
If you’d like to build your confidence using accessible technology, our Digital Skills Programme is here to help. Through free one-to-one support, we can help you make the most of digital devices and accessibility features to support everyday life and maintain your independence.
This service is funded and supported by Shropshire Council, enabling us to provide tailored support to people living with sight loss across the county.
For information, contact Sight Loss Shropshire on 07778 956096 or email admin@sightlossshropshire.org.uk.
