I have a friend who is losing her sight to macular degeneration and really needs a little extra income. She has some vision, but trouble reading. Other than maybe phone shops, are there any other shops that are not visually-dependent? I can think of a few, such as the blue bank shops where you're mostly collecting documents to photograph. But are there any kinds of retail shops where visual descriptions are not a factor, just what they said or did?

I'm not very optimistic about this, but I haven't done every shop there is yet.

I wonder if video shops would be an option for her.

It probably should go without saying, but she does not drive and has to use public transportation to get around. She lives in Las Vegas so of course she would have to get a permit, we know all that.

(And, .... question for anyone who might know ... is a permit required for phone shops?)

Just fishing for ideas here.

My grandmother had MD. She was able to halt it's progress for the rest of her life (which was 10 more years) by taking high doses of supplements: Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Bilberry, Lycopene (antioxidants), Flavonoids and Polyphenols, Ginko (for circulation). She also took Zinc and Magnesium, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin D and Carotenoids. This was something she did on her own and her doctor said it couldn't hurt. We were skeptical, but the degeneration stopped completely. It did not return the sight she lost though. The first four, I remember, were in very high doses and the most important ones. I used to come over and help her order the vitamins and then she would throw in something for me and the kids.

As for shops I'm thinking some of the retail shops for phones and other electronics at malls might be okay (bus accessible also). Shops where they are basically giving a sales presentation and that's what you evaluate. Could she carry a tape recorder to cover some of the detail that might have been breezed past quickly? (Such as phone model). Then she could write her report based on the recording.

How is she going to be able to read the guidelines for the shops even if the shops themselves don't require reading?

There is software to allow people who are blind and visually impaired to use a computer. One program is called JAWS. Even people who are completely blind have been able to use a computer for years.

And there is tech that can scan things into a computer so that the computer can read paper documents.

I am responding to the question on how a person who can't see can use a computer.......

there are various accessibility features--including enlarging text---- the state commission for the blind (in the US) should be able to help her out..

also....the state vocational rehab office helps with employment issues.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/26/2015 01:16AM by jmitw.

Thanks, but my question wasn't so much about the reading/reporting but about the observing/seeing during the shop aspect of it.

I will mention JAWS to her though; I've been trying for years to get her to get used to using a computer without sight while she still has her sight. She can read but only slowly because she has to read basically letter by letter.

What I'm trying to find are shops where listening (where a recorder might be able to aid her, not sure if Nevada is two party or not) is more important than looking at things. Shops where you don't have to give physical descriptions. My gut instinct is that there probably aren't a lot of them, but I'd like to know about any that do exist.

dspeakes -

Nevada is a two-party consent state for making audio recordings. [www.vegress.com]

My suggestion is being edited out if indeed Nevada is 2 party consent.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/2015 10:00PM by Flash.

Merchandising at Costco and other places might be something she is able to do with limited eyesight. Observations aren't as important as personality and the power of persuasion!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/2015 11:58PM by bestofbothworlds.

Actually just today I sent in an application for her to do demos at Costco.

If she is disabled she may be able to use her disability to her advantage on shops. Excepting description of workers, she could tell them she is partly blind and needs to record things to compensate for her visual issues (this covers two-party states). Then she could also not look odd when asking things (Cell phones, for example) such as what model is this (when it's right in front of her on the phone). Technology shops come to mind (Such as the Microsoft shops). She would have to be a little careful to not mention the visual issues in the report so she wasn't memorable, but she would have all the details needed for her report on the recording. I can't imagine anyone telling a person losing their sight that they can't have an audio recording to assist them.

in a 2 party state....my understanding is that if you have the permission from the other party you can record...and yes...allowing a customer to audio record notes would be a legally required disability accommodation...but a store can say the customer can make their own voice notes, but not record the actual conversation.....

I think that the discussion in a cell phone or computer store might go in a very atypical direction if you end up needing features for the visually impaired. You would not be the typical customer. Kmart used to want people who used a scooter to move around the store, and that involved reporting on very different aspects of the store than what a more typical customer would encounter. I fully support accomodations for mobility impaired, vision impaired, etc. people, but unless the MSC and client are looking for that aspect, you may not be portraying the customer whom they want portrayed.

for Kmart, you didn't actually need a wheelchair or scooter---you could use theirs for the shop even if you didn't really need it......but most of the shops didn't actually specifically specify to use it....most could be done walking...i even asked about it....they said you could still evaluate the perspective even if you were walking

I appreciate all the suggestions everyone has given. I'm looking into that Jaws thing too.

I'm trying to help her without letting her become dependent on me. I really think she should move back to California where she had a better support system but ... she bought a condo in Vegas so that's not likely to happen.

I am not visually impaired but I am definitely impaired. I'm mobility impaired and energy impaired. I often use my power chair when doing the shops that require me to walk very far or to stand very long. I just leave out any mention of my impairment from the report. Otherwise it would make me extremely memorable. Using my chair I've been able to sit through casinos with no problem. When there are 30 people in line at the post office before Christmas I just unload my chair and go wait in line. But I never mentioned my disability. At the casino it takes extra time to unload my chair in the valets are always very helpful but I can't mention all that they do for me or they would know me as the Mystery shopper. It's getting harder and harder her to do shops that require much walking. I want to be able to do video but I have to be able to stand to do that and get people in the frame. So, I don't know if it's going to work or not but I'm going to give it my best shot. If it doesn't work I'm going to have camera gear for sale LOL



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/29/2015 06:22AM by iblessyah.

@myst4au wrote:

I think that the discussion in a cell phone or computer store might go in a very atypical direction if you end up needing features for the visually impaired. You would not be the typical customer. Kmart used to want people who used a scooter to move around the store, and that involved reporting on very different aspects of the store than what a more typical customer would encounter. I fully support accomodations for mobility impaired, vision impaired, etc. people, but unless the MSC and client are looking for that aspect, you may not be portraying the customer whom they want portrayed.

True. But she could say she's shopping for her son entering college and that she already has a computer to meet her needs. But yes, I think she would have to consider how presenting a disability might be a distraction. Still, I think that if it was properly played she'd potentially be able to walk out with all the info needed on the recording.

@iblessyah Let me know if you do, I may be in the market for a camera rig soon.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/29/2015 09:38PM by dspeakes.

The cell phone scenarios generally want the end user to be you, and they want to know if the salesperson demonstrated the phone, and if they guided you through using the phone. If unable to see the icons or to see the high resolution display or to be able to judge the color rendition of the camera, this would really not be a true indication of the selling, knowledge, and demonstration skills of the salesperson.

I don't know if Samsung (for instance) builds in the ability for people with vision issues to use their phones. Certainly Samsung (for instance) enable speech control, but this is really a different issue altogether. The AARP magazine advertises phones with very large displays, but that is a niche market. There will come a day when I will have difficulty seeing the icons on my cell phone. I am encouraged by the fact the Samsung S5 (which my son has) responds to "OK Google" without doing anything but push the button on the side (which can be done by touch). It will also respond to commands like "Answer" and "Call" without having to find the right icon.

Sunglasses shops! I actually used my own risk factors for MD as a scenario for a sunglasses shop. And they are at malls. Easy to get to by bus. (I know dspeaks said she was setup for Costco, but this is still a good thread to have for people to reference).

We've applied for costco demos, haven't heard back yet.

Sunglasses shops might be good ones for her. No reading, she can have the salesperson tell her the prices.

I would recommend restaurant shops where she can bring someone along and treat them to a lunch or dinner in exchange for helping with menu reading and descriptions. Of course it would not supplement income a whole lot as the pay is often just the meal. I cannot think of many shops where I do not need my eyes to check things like shelf tags, look around for dust and debris and double check photos I have taken to see if they are clear enough. The suggestion made by someone else to check with the disability office as they may have positions available part or full time for those with limited sight.

@jmitw wrote:

There is software to allow people who are blind and visually impaired to use a computer. One program is called JAWS. Even people who are completely blind have been able to use a computer for years.

And there is tech that can scan things into a computer so that the computer can read paper documents.

I am responding to the question on how a person who can't see can use a computer.......

there are various accessibility features--including enlarging text---- the state commission for the blind (in the US) should be able to help her out..

also....the state vocational rehab office helps with employment issues.

I have done computer repair for people that are 100% blind that can run a computer with no mouse and no monitor and are so quick with the memorized keyboard shortcuts and use of JAWS that they operate the PC faster than I can. It amazes me to see them in action.

I brought this to the attention of [www.lighthouse.org] to someone who is on the board of directors as a possible money making or training tool. They informed me that the MSC software is not functional with the latest version of JAWS to do the recordings as there is a blob of javascript and a non press-able call button! They had their best completely blind Teacher attempt to sign up and do several phone shops with three companies I provided on two platforms, and not one of the websites were compliant enough for them to fully maneuver the website to completion.

If the MSC software put some tags in the right places and made small adjustments to the software, then they would use those shops as a teaching tool in the training class and give the student some confidence with a real time job experience.

If someone reading this is a developer for MSC website software and wants to have a workforce of blind workers for phone shops, PM me and I can give you a direct phone number for a board member of the Lighthouse that would love to work with you. They are not Website developers, but can tell you where the "sticking" points are.

Art of Shaving (also at Malls) and At Home Tree Service (can only do once though - but pays nice at $25 & easy report). Second to None has some "medical type" group presentations (lack of detail due to ICA) that she would sit through and just have to listen (I've never done one though). Those three (and Sunglass shop) don't involve taking any photos, only scanning.

As soon as I log out and go do something else, I'll think of more, LOL.

Scanman, thanks for your involvement with this. I hope more companies start making all software responsive to software for the blind.


Lexxycon, I didn't even think about all those insurance presentations but that would be another one that doesn't rely all that much on vision once you memorize the things they're not allowed to say.

Be careful with "Second to None". They are the only company I have worked for that deactivated me because I wound up in the hospital and missed two shops. They didn't care about the explanation or work to accommodate my disability. They only cared that I was unable to do two shops. I let them know ahead of time too.

as independent contractors, MSCs do not need to 'accommodate' a disability....but anyone can have an illness and be in the hospital for and have to cancel shops...its ridiculous to deactivate someone for a couple days.