Home Repair Fix-It Tips
When it comes to repairs around the home, vision impairment may seem like an impossible barrier. But it doesn't have to be. By learning some simple adaptations, you can continue to enjoy these activities.
Safety First
When working with tools, fundamental safety precautions apply, regardless of sight. Be sure to keep the following in mind:
- Protect your eyes
Always wear impact-resistant safety glasses that protect from the sides and top. They can be worn by themselves, or over your own eyeglasses.
- Pay attention to your energy source
Don't forget to turn it off! Whether you're changing a washer in a faucet or fixing a light switch, make sure the water or electricity going to that site has been disconnected. It may be necessary to shut off the main switch or valve.
- Use the right extension cords
As a rule, an extension cord should be equal to, or thicker than, the cord on the power tool. Otherwise, the extension cord could heat up and cause a fire.
Preparation
- Organization is key
Collect all of the items you will need ahead of time and have them ready for easy access - use a tray, small box, or work apron with pockets.
- Light
If you're partially sighted, set up a light source at the site where you're working. Gooseneck lamps work well because you can adjust the direction of light as needed.
- Marking and Labeling
Other considerations include putting contrasting tape on the handles of hammers or pliers to make them more visible. By placing a piece of masking tape around the edge of a hammer's head, a person with partial sight can follow the hammer's action.
Adaptive Techniques and Tools
- Measuring
Adapted rulers, yardsticks, and steel tapes are available through specialty catalogs. Adaptations may include raised or etched markings, braille notations, or audible clicks. If you don't want to go out and buy adaptive measuring devices, you can try "relative measuring" - using ordinary objects to estimate lengths. For example, the span of an adult's hand is, on average, about eight inches long.
- Hammering
While a lot of hammering is muscle memory, some people find it helpful to "hold" the nail with pliers or a piece of cardboard that the nail is pushed through. Either technique will keep your fingers away from the hammer's head. Use a medium weight hammer - about 16 ounces. A hammer that is too small or too light will actually be harder to use. Use two strokes. First, lightly tap the nail to locate it, then give it the driving stroke.
- Marking a line
To create a line that can be felt on wood, consider using an awl and a combination square or T-square. The square assures that the line is straight and perpendicular to the edge of the board. An awl can also make a tactile start hold for a drill bit, nail, or screw. If you have partial sight, you can use large markers to define the line. Remember to place the mark on the scrap side, since the ink can soak into the wood and be hard to cover up or sand out.
- Using power tools
Common power tools - especially the jig saw, router, and drill - can be adapted easily for use by someone with a vision impairment. Both the jig saw and the router have a plate surrounding the blade or bit, which has a notch in it near the forward edge. The notch is used for visual alignment with the cutting line. A person who is visually impaired will need both a plate guide and a cutting guide to ensure that cuts are made accurately.
A plate guide will allow you to determine the correct distance from the cutting or awl line to the cutting guide. It ensures that the blade or bit of the tool is on the cutting line. A cutting guide will provide a stationary edge along which you can move the tool, keeping the edge of the tool's plate snug against the cutting guide. This ensures a straight and even cut.
To create a plate guide, measure the distance from the blade or bit to the outside edge of the plate. Using the measured width, make the guide out of sturdy cardboard, foam core board, or wood. It should be about six to eight inches long. Mark it in some way (paint, braille, or large print), as you will want to keep the guide for repeated use. Each power tool with a plate requires its own plate guide, as the measurements for different tools vary.
Your cutting guide can be a second piece of wood that has a straight edge and is at least as long as the cut you intend to make. To correctly position the cutting guide, place the plate guide along the awl line and the cutting guide against the far (or opposite) side of the plate guide. Clamp the cutting guide in place, and remove the plate guide. Align the saw's plate against the cutting guide. The saw blade is now aligned with the awl line. To complete the cut, keep the plate against the cutting guide as the saw moves forward. The cut will be accurate and straight. Ensure that power cords are kept safely behind you, and that your free hand is away from the saw.
To drill a straight hole, commercially available drill guides can help. You can also make your own drill guide from an empty spool of thread. Mark the spot by making a "start hole" with an awl or nail. Then, place the drill bit through the spool at the point where you want to drill the hole. With the drill in the "off" position, hold the spool firmly against the surface with pliers (not your hands). Now start the drill, and the hole will be straight.
Even though your vision may have changed, the value of your expertise has not. Most common home repairs can be achieved with some adaptations. The key points to remember: Be safe, be organized, use the right tools for the job, and ask for assistance when you really need it.
This piece was written by Nancy Paskin, MA, RTC, Director of Rehabilitation Teaching at Lighthouse International. It originally appeared in the Spring 2000 issue of Sharing Solutions.