Esther's Place Demonstration Tours

Our most compelling feature at the Center on Vision Loss is Esther's Place, an 1800-square-foot fully furnished model home designed with accommodations for vision loss in mind and over 500 products available for hands-on demonstrations. Our goal is to help visitors discover ways to enhance their ability to live as independently as possible despite the loss of vision.

Color, Texture, and Lighting

Upon entering the Center, you will notice that the flooring is different (carpet, tile, or wood), depending on where you are within the building.

Color and texture contrast is evident throughout Esther's Place, and lighting is used in a variety of ways to help you determine what style of lighting works best with your vision.

Kitchen Adaptations

In Esther's kitchen, examples of low- and high-tech solutions are on display. For example, would an electronic bar code reader be helpful when you are looking for a particular canned vegetable in your pantry, or would a braille or large print label work just as effectively?

Tactile markings on the stove, oven, and microwave illustrate how a person with low or no vision can learn to control appliances with confidence.

Color contrast has been used in the cabinetry. The cabinets are light tan, the countertop is rust and the cabinet and drawer pulls are black.

Also, you can check out an inexpensive accommodation like a switch plate which contrasts with the wall color, making it easier for people with low vision to see. You can try out phones that have big buttons, talking caller ID, and braille markings.

Laundry Room

The laundry room also has examples of laundry appliances with audible tones and tactile markings to help you use them non-visually.

Dining Room

In Esther's dining room, the table is set and ready for a meal. One place setting is an example of poor color contrast and the other demonstrates how easy it is to add contrast to help you find the edge of your plate, as well as making it easier to locate your beverage and eating utensils if you have low vision.

Living Room

Esther's living room is set up to maximize your ability to see the TV, with the chair close to and in line with the TV set. The sofa is in a contrasting color to the carpet and throw pillows contrast with the upholstery to make everything easier to see. Several large button remote controls are available for you to try.

Storing Clothes

In the storage room and clothes closet you will see examples of products for medication management, health monitoring, and color identification.

Bathroom Adaptations

The bathroom has a walk-in shower with a fold-down seat, more examples of using color contrast to increase safety and a scale that will speak your weight aloud. The vanity area has several styles of magnifying mirrors and additional reflective lighting to improve visibility and reduce glare.

Bedroom Adaptations for People with Vision Loss

Esther's bedroom features products for people with hearing and vision loss as well as clocks, watches, wallets and money identifiers to help you explore a variety of time and money management options.

Cell phones with bigger buttons, designed for people with low or no vision are also available.

Home Office Products for People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision

Whether you are a student, a professional, or a retired individual, Esther's office will help you find accommodations and products to help you read, use the computer, keep addresses and phone numbers organized, and manage your personal finances. You can even produce a document in braille with our embosser and experience built-in accessibility with a variety of Apple products.

Keeping Fit After Vision Loss

Having fun and keeping fit is important. You will find information on hobbies, adapted games and much more in Esther's fun and fitness room. There's no need to give up doing things like arts and crafts just because your vision is changing. However, you may have to do things differently; it's a matter of finding the solution that is right for you.

Our Library

Our library offers references and resources on all aspects of vision loss. From information on horseback riding to services for veterans, you'll find it here. And, if reading is your passion, we can assist you to get the reading material you want, in different formats, from a variety of resources.

Assistive Technology Showroom

The assistive technology showroom at the Center is a place to explore possibilities for access to print and computers whether you are visually impaired or totally blind. We have video magnifiers that range from desktop models with 24" LCD monitors to pocket-size models with OLED screens. Devices to turn printed text into spoken word also range from desktop models to pocket size. Software to enlarge the text on the computer screen, as well as speak the text aloud, is on display and ready for you to try.

Arranging Your Visit

Arranging a demonstration tour of Esther's Place is as easy as calling 214-352-7222 or e-mailing dallas@afb.net to let us know you are interested in scheduling a time to visit Esther's Place. We are open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Demonstrations typically last about 90 minutes, so make your plans accordingly.

Our facility is fully accessible to those using a wheel chair or walker. If standing and walking for 90 minutes is difficult for you, or someone who will be with you, we have a wheelchair on the premises that can be used during the tour.

Our address is 11030 Ables Lane, Dallas, TX 75229. We hope to see you soon at Esther's Place!