USH Bits

USH Bit 4: Between You and the Chaos: Street Safety Tips for Low Vision

Navigating Indian city streets and narrow paths with low hearing and vision can be risky. Traffic is often dense, fast-moving, and chaotic. One helpful strategy is to keep an object—like a bag or a white cane—between you and the traffic. Drivers tend to avoid objects more than they avoid people.

Other Tips:

• Walk during non-peak hours.
  
  

• Avoid high-traffic roads.
  
  

• Carry a white cane for both safety and visibility.
  
  

• Walk slowly and deliberately—your companions should understand this.
  

• Leave early to avoid rushing.

Click here for details.

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USH Bit 3: Denied health insurance due to Usher syndrome?

Summary:

Have you ever been denied health insurance due to Usher syndrome and other disabilities?

Explore the Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) — a government-backed plan in India offering up to ₹1 lakh coverage for people with disabilities, including deafblindness.

Click here for details.

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USH Bit 2: Lost Underwater? Let the Bubbles Lead

Summary:

Swimming is fun and valuable, but underwater disorientation is common for people with Usher Syndrome types 1 and 3, due to balance and vision challenges.

• If you’re unsure which way is up, exhale gently to release air bubbles — bubbles always float upward, guiding you to the surface.
• Move slowly and stay calm to avoid worsening disorientation.
• In low visibility, pay attention to ear pressure:
• It increases as you go deeper.
• It decreases as you move toward the surface.
• Practice in shallow or familiar water to build confidence and stay safe.

Click here for details.

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USH Bit 1: Wear a P-cap

Summary:

Wear a P-cap (or baseball cap) indoors and outdoors to:

• Protect your face from overhead obstacles like open cabinet doors
• Protect your eyes from UV light that can damage the retina
• Cut down sun glare to improve daytime vision
• Reduce glare from bright indoor lights and prevent eye strain

Click here for details.

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