Television:

Only older television sets have dials that can be numbered. A dab of "white-out" or a raised dot of hardened glue may be all that's needed to make sure you can easily locate your favorite channel.

Most TV's today operate with remote controls. There are oversized or large print remote controls that are available in retail stores or through catalogs. (find the Big Button Remote or the Surfboard talking remote [links open in new window] at Independent Living.com or at other stores listed on our page of Products for Independent Living) The newest versions, although quite expensive, are the voice recognition controls or "talking remotes." These often require considerable patience and practice to learn to use them effectively.

Most regular TV remotes or cable remotes have raised rubberized buttons. These buttons do not accept markings well, whether raised dot, tape, glue or "white-out", all of which tend to fall off quickly. Therefore try to put the markings on the case, next to the buttons, rather than on the buttons themselves.

With some practice you may be able to learn to use your remote control by the sizes and shapes of the buttons alone. Note: There may be times when the remote does not respond because you have it aimed too high or too low in relation to the TV set.

Radio:

Some tuning dials on radios cannot be marked as they rotate more than 360 degrees. However, if you have a favorite local station or two in the same area of the dial, they can be indicated by dots or marks on the dial, as long as the dial is not over-rotated.

Many of the new radios have digital readouts therefore a magnifier may help you find your desired stations.

Some radios have buttons that can be pre-set to stations (similar to car radios). Usually you will be able to program 5 or 6 favorite stations on both AM and FM wavelengths and access them instantaneously with a push of a button.

Records, Tapes, CDs, DVDs

Your collection of records, tapes, or CDs/DVDs should be methodically stored and labeled so that you can easily find whatever you want to play. For example:

• Large print labels can be made with dymo tape or even with 3x5 cards and a marker. Do what works for you, and attach your label to the case with a rubberband or a dot of glue.
• Commercially available "talking," tactual, barcode, or enlarged label markers are available (find them at HearMore.com [link opens in new window] or other stores listed in our Products for Independent Living
• Since you only play one record, tape or CD at a time, when you've finished with it return it to its case, and place the case back in the appropriate storage slot before you pull out another. In this way, you'll keep everything well organized.