At 96, Steamboat Springs resident Ellie Jones enjoys staying as independent as she can, making her own breakfast and washing her clothes.

Jones, a former registered nurse and now a Casey’s Pond independent living resident, also always loved to read. However, in the past two months, her vision has worsened to the point where she needs to try some new techniques and investigate new resources.

Now Jones is listening to audio books from the library including recent topics of regional American history and the treatment of Native Americans. She listens to NPR news on her smart speaker.

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“I was reading all the time if I wasn’t doing something else,” said Jones, who suffers from macular degeneration. “I’m at the point where I have a great deal of difficulty reading anything anymore.”

Jones and Casey’s Pond Life Enrichment Director Sondra Boyd were among the attendees at a recent Saturday morning roadshow in Steamboat Springs presented by the Colorado chapter of the National Federation of the Blind.

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“It was just good to listen to everything and be a little bit more aware of what the entire situation is for people who have very low vision,” Jones said of the Nov. 16 roadshow.

“Just seeing how the technology has advanced, to see how much that opens up a non-seeing person’s world and puts them on a level playing field,” Boyd said.

At the presentation, several Colorado chapter volunteers showed off helpful tools ranging from the latest version of Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses to a free ScripTalk device that reads Radio Frequency Identification labels on prescription bottles to helpful smart phone applications.

The volunteers said one of the best tools is the latest version of Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, which have dropped in price to $300. The glasses can function as a camera-equipped, artificial intelligence helpmate in a similar way to Siri or Google assistants on a smart phone. The rechargeable Meta glasses can also connect to volunteers at By My Eyes, or the Internet-connected glasses’ AI feature can describe the basics of a person’s view upon request.

Users can tap on the arm of the glasses and ask, “Hey Meta, what am I holding?” for a description.

Colorado Springs small business owner Nate Hecker, 37, who has experienced worsening eye issues since middle school and is now blind, said smart phone applications to assist low-vision individuals have developed greatly within the past five years. Hecker recommends that all blind people invest in a smart phone plan, noting many in the blind community are partial to Apple iPhones for the built-in helpful options.

Hecker recommends the application Be My Eyes, where sighted volunteers can describe a video call or photo, and the newer version Be My AI, that provides detailed descriptions via artificial intelligence.

The free Seeing AI app can read out labels, quick texts, mail, documents and paper currency.

BARD Mobile is a free app that allows eligible patrons of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled to listen to audio books and magazines on their devices.

Paul Sandoval, who advises blind and low-vision people with technology, pointed to some simpler smart phone tips such as setting up two-figure tap to hear the time and date.

The chapter volunteers also highlighted some old-school, simple techniques such as attaching bumper dots to touchscreen controls for microwaves, stoves, washers, dryers and other home devices. Or puff paint pens can be used to paint onto appliance touchscreens to create tactile symbols.

Transportation continues to be one of the largest hurdles for blind individuals, especially in rural areas, chapter members say. The ease of Lyft or Uber rides, where available, make a huge positive difference in many blind people’s lives.

In Steamboat, another option is the free Yellow Zone on-demand ride service through Steamboat Springs Transit offered daily from 7 a.m. to 6:20 p.m. within the core of Steamboat. Riders can call 970-833-4438, with the call suggested for at least one hour before a ride is needed. Access the Boat is another SST option for eligible individuals who apply in advance for the para-transit service to receive free curb-to-curb rides within the in-city transit coverage area.

The Colorado NFB chapter offers a monthly group networking meeting via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month.

“I do recommend meeting with other blind people and talking about your issues,” said JD Holcomb, group coordinator. “We are a small chapter, but we definitely have a lot of experience, and we can provide a lot of support from many different areas of blindness.”

As Jones and her son investigate other options on the resource list compiled by the Colorado NFB chapter, she wants to offer encouragement to other people suffering from low-vision issues.

“Don’t give up; do everything you can,” Jones said.