A national nonprofit on Tuesday donated special technology to 10 children with severe visual impairment that cannot be corrected with eye glasses, contact lenses, or surgical treatment. The children were from the Jackson and Hattiesburg areas.
The Onyx Electronic Video Magnifiers (EVMs) and other assistive technology magnify objects up to 118 times and allow the children to read, write, groom themselves and even see loved ones’ faces more clearly, according to a press release from Sight Savers America. The technologies are usually priced around $3,000 and are not covered by medical insurance.
Dr. Glen Stribling from the Mississippi School for the Blind’s Low Vision Clinic referred the children for the technology, according to the nonprofit.
Elijah Wadkins, 11, uses the use the Onyx Electronic Video Magnifier and other assistive technology at Galloway United Methodist Church in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2022. About 10 Children with severe visual impairment from the Jackson area had the tools donated to them by Sight Savers America, a nationally expanding nonprofit organization that provides eye care and low vision services at no cost to qualifying individuals. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today 
Veronica Tafoya, Sight Savers’ Low Vision Program manager, right, gives Jaliyah Dorcent, 10, center, and her father, Jackson Morgan, instructions on how to use the Onyx Electronic Video Magnifier and other assistive technology at Galloway United Methodist Church in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2022. About 10 Children with severe visual impairment from the Jackson area had the tools donated to them by Sight Savers America, a nationally expanding nonprofit organization that provides eye care and low vision services at no cost to qualifying individuals. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today 
Elijah Wadkins, 11, uses the use the Onyx Electronic Video Magnifier and other assistive technology at Galloway United Methodist Church in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2022. About 10 Children with severe visual impairment from the Jackson area had the tools donated to them by Sight Savers America, a nationally expanding nonprofit organization that provides eye care and low vision services at no cost to qualifying individuals. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today 
Matt Daw, associate director for Sight Savers’ Low Vision Program, right, instructs Elijah Wadkins, 11, center, and his father, Lee Brown, on how to use the Onyx Electronic Video Magnifier and other assistive technology at Galloway United Methodist Church in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2022. About 10 Children with severe visual impairment from the Jackson area had the tools donated to them by Sight Savers America, a nationally expanding nonprofit organization that provides eye care and low vision services at no cost to qualifying individuals. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today 
Elijah Wadkins, 11, uses the use the Onyx Electronic Video Magnifier and other assistive technology at Galloway United Methodist Church in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2022. About 10 Children with severe visual impairment from the Jackson area had the tools donated to them by Sight Savers America, a nationally expanding nonprofit organization that provides eye care and low vision services at no cost to qualifying individuals. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today 
Matt Daw, associate director for Sight Savers’ Low Vision Program, right, instructs Elijah Wadkins, 11, center, and his father, Lee Brown, on how to use the Onyx Electronic Video Magnifier and other assistive technology at Galloway United Methodist Church in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2022. About 10 Children with severe visual impairment from the Jackson area had the tools donated to them by Sight Savers America, a nationally expanding nonprofit organization that provides eye care and low vision services at no cost to qualifying individuals. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today 
Leigh Irvin, associated director for Sight Savers’ Low Vision Program, left, gives Caleb Morgan, center, and his mom, Jana Morgan, instructions on how to use the Onyx Electronic Video Magnifier and other assistive technology at Galloway United Methodist Church in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2022. About 10 Children with severe visual impairment from the Jackson area had the tools donated to them by Sight Savers America, a nationally expanding nonprofit organization that provides eye care and low vision services at no cost to qualifying individuals.
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