An initiative of
PALA Institute for Spiral Cognition
Sight-loss support and ways to access reading.
Sight-loss advice in Aarau
SICHTBAR Aarau offers free advice for blind and low-vision people and their relatives. It provides a local starting point for discussing questions about sight loss and support.
Accessible Swiss rail travel
SBB provides information about accessible rail travel and assistance with boarding and leaving trains. Use its guidance to prepare a journey and find the appropriate assistance route.
Audiobooks and accessible reading
The SBS library offers audiobooks and accessible reading resources for people with print disabilities. Explore its collection and information about using the library.
Sight loss and deafblind support
SZBLIND provides specialist information on sight loss and combined sight and hearing impairment. Its resources are for affected people, relatives and professionals looking for advice and support routes.
Advice for blind and low-vision people
The Swiss Federation of the Blind and Visually Impaired offers advice, information about assistive devices and support for everyday life. Its advice and training pages help you explore the available routes.
Peer advice on sight loss
CAB offers peer counselling for blind and low-vision adults in German-speaking Switzerland and their support networks. The service brings lived experience of sight loss into the conversation.
Accessible books for children and young people
Buchknacker is an accessible reading offer from SBS for children and young people with reading difficulties. This page introduces the library and its books.
Make devices easier to use
AbilityNet’s My Computer My Way library provides step-by-step guides for making devices easier to use. Browse instructions for vision, hearing, movement and cognitive access needs.
Visual assistance via app
Be My Eyes is an app for blind and low-vision people seeking visual assistance. It connects users with volunteers and offers AI-based help with visual information.
Android: turn on TalkBack
Google’s official guide explains how to turn on TalkBack, the Android screen reader. It is a starting point for accessing a phone or tablet through spoken feedback.
Free NVDA Windows screen reader
NV Access develops NVDA, a free screen reader for Windows computers. The download page provides a starting point for accessing text and controls through screen reading.
AbilityNet digital inclusion
AbilityNet publishes information about digital inclusion for disabled and older people. Its English-language resources help you explore more accessible ways to use technology.
Mac: screen reading and magnification
Apple’s official Mac accessibility guidance explains tools including VoiceOver and Zoom. It helps you explore screen reading, magnification and other built-in settings.
Android: magnify the screen
Google’s official Android guidance explains screen magnification. It helps you find the settings for enlarging what appears on your phone or tablet.
RNIB: everyday living with sight loss
RNIB publishes practical English-language guides about everyday life with sight loss. Browse information that can help you explore ways of managing daily activities.
RNIB: technology for sight loss
RNIB provides information about assistive technology for blind and low-vision people. Its technology pages introduce support and learning routes for using devices.
PCHO helps you find information and organisations. External providers set their own services and conditions. We do not provide individual medical, legal or social-insurance advice.