Upper West Side center lets people with vision loss test new assistive technology

By CBS NEW YORK

NEW YORK — A new center on the Upper West Side is being called a game-changer for people who are blind and visually impaired.

The Lighthouse Guild Tech Center opened Tuesday on West 64th Street near West End Avenue.

Doctors say it’s a place for people with vision loss to test new devices that can help them lead independent lives.

“What we’re doing here is building a community, getting together the entrepreneurs and the engineers and the doctors … but critically, the patients and users to work together to advance assistive technology for everyone,” Lighthouse Guild President and CEO Dr. Calvin Roberts said.

Voice-activated appliances, such as microwaves and thermostats, are among the devices currently available for testing at the center.