Second Sense

09/04/2026

Did you know that your email settings may be limiting your access to only part of your Inbox? And did you know that your Apple Mail app can hold more than one email address? Join us on Thursday, September 10 at 1:00 pm for Apple Exchange. Eric Boklage will provide a terrific tutorial on using Apple Mail and all the ways it can help you wade through all those emails! Call our office for the Zoom info!

Too many email addresses? Join us for our September Apple Exhange and learn how to put them all in one place in the Mail app.

09/04/2026

Enjoy the last days of summer! Happy Labor Day. Second Sense will be closed on Monday for the holiday.

09/03/2026

Yes, we know, there’s an extreme heat warning here in Chicago today. But let’s think about cooling off! Winter will be here before you know it. Now is the time to think about traveling in snow and cold. Join Lauren Ross, Second Sense orientation and mobility intern, for a virtual winter preparedness workshop. You’ll learn about navigating snowbanks and adapting your long cane techniques and cane tips for the winter weather. She’ll offer suggestions on choosing winter clothing and planning for public transit disruptions. If you are a guide dog handler, Lauren will share her best tips on traveling with your guide in snow and ice, and how your dog’s pace or guide work can be impacted in these inclement conditions. Join Lauren on Wednesday, September 9 at 1:00 pm on Zoom and get ready for winter! Call our office and we’ll send you the Zoom info!

If you have vision loss, winter travel presents its own risks and challenges. You’ll want to make sure you are prepared before setting out.

09/02/2026

We are exactly two months away from the 2026 midterm elections. Are you registered to vote, or need to check to see if you are? Have you researched your candidates to see where they stand on the issues? Do you need a creditable resource to answer these questions? Check out the League of Women Voters “Make a Plan” webpage and find the valuable information you need to make sure your voice is heard. And don’t miss our presentation coming up on October 7 when we welcome the League at Second Sense to provide the latest information regarding voting this November.
VOTE411

It’s never too early to help democracy! By signing up to be a poll worker, you can ensure that all voters—including voters with disabilities, voters who need language assistance, and voters who want to cast their ballot in person—have a positive experience at the polls. Sign up today!

09/01/2026

Sue lost her vision, literally, overnight. As a working IT professional, she knew technology was the way to help her remain independent. After a frustrating search for tech training, Her physical therapist told her about Second Sense, and she began working with Eric. " "Finally I found Eric who understands tech, what it means to be blind, and how to train people who are blind to use technology. Sue was always a mouse user on the computer, however, JAWS, the assistive technology program she would need to use, is controlled only by keyboard commands. So, Sue began with a typing program to improve her keyboarding skills. One of Sue’s goals was to be able to read her emails privately. As Sue progressed with her keyboarding, she and Eric tackled using JAWS with Gmail and Outlook. In addition to her weekly lessons, Sue also practiced at home so she could decide which program suited her best. “This training has transformed my life," Sue shared. “Now, not everyone and their uncle reads my emails! I still have a long way to go, but I know I have a resource to work through it with me. Excellent job, Sue! We know you’ll be going further to use your computer as productively as you need!

08/31/2026

Our September Making Sense newsletter has just been posted on our website! This month we are focusing on venturing out with confidence -- When you prepare ahead of time and learn about available resources and services, you can make the most of recreational and learning activities. We are offering helpful workshops on Winter Travel (it will be here before you know it), glare control, and Computers for the Blind. You’ll also find travel resources, live theatre performances, and other fun events. If you don’t receive our newsletter via email each month, you can sign up right on our Making Sense newsletter page!

Current issue of Making Sense: filled with resources, information, products and tools to increase the independence of people with vision loss

08/28/2026

If you are a guide dog handler, there’s a good chance that you have been denied public access to a restaurant, rideshare, hotel, or other public area. While these situations are frustrating and inconvenient to say the least, knowing how to respond when this happens can help to resolve misunderstandings and have your rights preserved. on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 3:00 pm CDT, Advocates for Service Animal Partners is hosting an interactive discussion to help you prepare for access challenges that may lie ahead. Space is limited, so please register early! Let’s kick off this September and learn how you can advocate for you and your guide!

08/27/2026

Everyone is talking about Dolly Parton and the transformative contributions she has made, not only to music, but to reading. Her Imagination Library did not forget children who are blind or visually impaired. Through a partnership with the American Printing House for the blind, children receive free books in braille and audio formats. Here’s one mom’s story about her son who picked up “Not Your Typical Dragon,” a story about a dragon whose talents were not the same as others. She credits this braille book for laying down the foundation of learning to read and write.

“None of my son’s needs are special,” Jessica Caromile says of her 12-year-old, who is blind — and she believes the late country music legend understood this, too.

08/27/2026

Today we welcomed a new addition to our Second Sense family! Hollis, a male 70 lb. Blac lab, is Jean Johnsons new guide dog, fresh from graduating from Guide Dogs for the Blind. Jean is our front desk volunteer on Mondays, and she has been waiting patiently for two years for her first guide dog. Hollis is a mellow soul and managed all the excitement of seeing everyone for the first time today like a perfect guide dog. He had excellent behavior, even though we had four other guide dogs in the office today! Coincidentally, Jean’s instructor at GDB was also Kathy’s instructor exactly one year ago when she trained with Riley. Here’s a shout out to Adam at GDB – here’s two of your three Chicago dogs! Congrats Jean and we look forward to welcoming you both back at Second Sense!
Guide Dogs for the Blind

08/25/2026

We know that the pedestrian mode on a GPS app is fairly accurate. But for someone with vision loss, more information, like obstacles in the path and turn by turn directions, would be a game changer for navigation. A new app, developed by Harvard School of Engineering, seems to have created such an app! Mobilio was created with input from clients at the Carroll Center for the Blind. Study participants navigated a path with a 41% reduction in obstacle encounters and sped up travel time by 13%. Take a moment to read how this app works and let’s watch it’s progress!

A smartphone app called Mobilio improves navigation and obstacle avoidance for blind and partially sighted people.