RealSAM US

Summer shouldn’t have to mean staying in for anyone.

From accessible national park trails with audio description and tactile maps, to audio described theatre and outdoor festivals, to birding by ear on a park bench — there are more options than most people realise.

We've put together a practical guide: real resources, named organisations, and the information you'd actually need to plan something. Not inspiration. Just useful.

Read more via the link in our bio.

🍉🍓🥥🌺🐚🌴🌷🌻🐠🦩🐝🦔☀️🌊

Independence doesn't disappear with vision loss, but it changes.

Often it's the small things that matter most: reading your own mail, identifying medication, checking a label, making a call without asking someone to dial for you.

For a lot of people, these aren't dramatic losses. They accumulate quietly. And the point at which they start to affect daily life is usually the point at which families start looking for answers.

The good news is that the options are better than most people expect — and more affordable too, for many US families, through VA programs, state vocational rehab, and other assistance.

We've put together a practical guide on living independently with vision loss, which you can read via this link: https://realsam.us/assistive-technology-for-vision-loss-technology-that-supports-independence/

Virginia residents — a note on assistive technology funding.

While Virginia doesn't currently have a dedicated state AT financing programme listed on our resources page, the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (VDBVI) provides vocational rehabilitation services that can include assistive technology, including for people who are retired or not currently in work, in some circumstances.

Nationally, the Assistive Technology Fund (Association of Blind Citizens) is also open to Virginia residents, covering 50% of device cost for legally blind applicants with household income under $50,000.

If you're in Virginia and unsure where to start, our team is happy to help you work out what might be available. Access our full resources page via this link for more information: https://realsam.us/financial-assistance-for-assistive-technology/

Healthy Vision Month: Spotlight on Glaucoma

Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” — because it can develop without noticeable symptoms early on.

Over time, it damages the optic nerve and affects peripheral vision.

Signs to watch for:
• Gradual loss of side vision
• Tunnel vision in later stages
• Often, there are no early symptoms

Learn more via the Glaucoma Research Foundation: https://www.glaucoma.org. Read our full Healthy Vision Month blog post via this link: https://realsam.us/healthy-vision-month-the-most-common-eye-diseases-that-cause-vision-loss

Today, we remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to this country.

For veterans living with vision loss — whether from combat injury, exposure, or age-related conditions that developed later — independence and connection remain things worth fighting for in a different sense.

If you're a veteran navigating vision loss, VA programmes can cover the full cost of accessible technology, including RealSAM Pocket. Our veterans page has more information: link in bio.

Thank you to all who served.

Two states, two programmes worth knowing about.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma ABLE Tech has a financial assistance programme for residents who need help accessing assistive technology. They cover demonstrations, device loans, and financing options.

Oregon: The Northwest Access Fund provides low-interest loans for assistive technology for Oregonians with disabilities. The Blanche Fischer Foundation also makes direct grants to Oregon residents with physical disabilities who demonstrate financial need.

If you're in either state and have been looking into accessible phones but aren't sure how to fund it, these are solid first calls.

Full details for both states — and every other state — are on our resources page: https://realsam.us/financial-assistance-for-assistive-technology/

May is Healthy Vision Month, and diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of vision loss for adults in the US — particularly for those over 50 managing type 2 diabetes.

What makes it especially important to know about: vision loss from diabetic retinopathy often develops without noticeable symptoms in the early stages. By the time it becomes apparent, significant changes may already have occurred.

If you or a family member has diabetes and hasn't had a recent dilated eye exam, that's the most important step. Your primary care physician or endocrinologist can refer you.

For those already navigating vision loss from this condition, the National Eye Institute ([nei.nih.gov](http://nei.nih.gov)) has solid resources on what to expect and what support is available. Read our full Healthy Vision Month blog post via this link: https://realsam.us/healthy-vision-month-the-most-common-eye-diseases-that-cause-vision-loss

Indiana residents — a resource worth knowing about.

The Indiana Assistive Technology Act Project (run through Easter Seals) helps Hoosiers access assistive technology, including options for device demonstrations, short-term loans so you can try before you buy, and financing assistance.

For those with vision loss who are researching accessible phones and technology, this is a practical starting point — particularly if cost is a barrier.

Our full financial assistance page lists programs across all 50 states, including Indiana: https://realsam.us/financial-assistance-for-assistive-technology/

Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2026.

The day exists because someone decided, in 2012, that the technology industry needed to take accessibility seriously. Not as a feature to add at the end. As a principle from the start.

RealSAM Pocket arrived in the US in January 2022 at the Assistive Technology Industry Association Conference in Florida.

It came with an idea—simply one button and your voice—and a track record built in the UK since 2018.

Four years later, it's still here. Updated, supported, refined.

Trusted by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, the Library of Congress's accessible reading program serves 800,000+ Americans.

In a market where assistive technology products come and go, longevity is its own statement.

See the whole timeline of RealSAM Phone’s global journey via this link: https://realsam.us/realsam-gaad-2026-a-history-of-accessible-technology/

Happy Healthy Vision Month 👁️

This month, we’re shining a spotlight on vision health — and sharing clear, practical information about some of the most common causes of vision loss in the US.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be breaking down:
• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• Glaucoma
• Diabetic retinopathy

What they are, how they affect everyday vision, and where to find support.

Because understanding vision loss isn’t just about awareness — it’s about knowing what to look for, and what to do next.

Follow along throughout the month.

AccessibleTech