The legally blind Master Chef Winner of 2012 proves she's unstoppable!  Chef, writer, TV host, world traveler-- and now opening her first restaurant in 2018!

Christine Ha began to gradually lose her vision at the age of twenty from an autoimmune disease called Neuromyelitis Optica. She describes her sight as seeing vague shapes and shadows. www.theblindcook.com/about/

Out of necessity while attending college in her sophomore year, Christine decided to teach herself how to cook, burning food and making a mess all over the floor.  Eventually she began to enjoy the process, comparing cooking to science and art.  It also made her feel good to bring joy to others with her cooking.
 
She began experimenting by relying on her memories of taste and smell of her mother's cooking.  She cooked for her roommate in her first few attempts, and then began to cook for others, bringing a feeling of satisfaction and realizing her passion for it.

When the producers of Master Chef were auditioning in different cities, Christine was encouraged to try out.  Her story was an interesting one, and she felt maybe she would get through the first round.  People were interested to see how a blind person can cook.

Christine was the first blind contestant in its third season and winner in 2012.  She has since written a recipe book called "Recipes from my Home Kitchen: Asian and American Comfort Food" which is a big seller on Amazon. www.iszerotohero.com/how-to-be-stong-with-good-courage-like-christine-ha-the-inspiring-blind-chef

Christine goes by seven good lessons in her life journey:
1.  Utilize mental energy wisely
2.  Reframe negative thinking
3.  Work to achieve and set up goals
4.  Monitor progress carefully
5.  Accept discomfort for a more significant purpose
6.  Always be grateful
7.  Live in line with your values

Recently Christine announced earlier this year in 2018 she will open her first restaurant in the swanky downtown Bravery Chef Hall in Houston, Texas, calling it the Blind Goat.  www.chron.com/entertainment/restaurants-bars/art5icle/Christine-Ha-to-join-Bravery-Chef-Hall-12793570.php

It will include a menu based on Nhau cuisine-- Vietnamese drinking food.  It's her first food concept since her Master Chef win.  After traveling the world doing pop-ups, TV show appearances and interviews, Christine's dream is finally becoming a reality!

In 2014, Christine Ha received the Helen Keller Personal Achievement Award from the American Foundation for the Blind, a recognition formerly awarded to Ray Charles, Patty Duke and Stevie Wonder among others.

Christine believes in not allowing her physical challenges in life hold her back.  Instead they have taught her to pursue her passions rather than fear failure.  "Live a full life-- tend to your mental and emotional needs as well as your professional goals."  http://dailycampus.com/stories/2018/2/2/christine-ha-talks-empowerment-through-disability

When asked how Christine cooks in her kitchen, she replied that some of the items she uses are talking thermometers and talking scales when measuring out food. 

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Check out our products and cooking tools for food preparation to assist in the kitchen and other areas around the home or in school to improve the lives of those who are blind and vision impaired. --Audrey Leonard

It's time to think about back to school supplies and products that will help you succeed for a productive and stress-free school year.  For students with low vision, hearing impairment, and other special needs and challenges, we offer a wide selection of helpful product aids to insure confidence, independence and success inside and out of the classroom.

At MaxiAids, we'd like to suggest our top ten back to school product categories that will allow you to choose items for a much easier transition in establishing timely schedules, doing school work, and communicating effectively.  Read about our low vision back to school products, products for the blind and visually impaired, vision aids, hearing impaired devices, alerting devices and more.

1.  TALKING WATCHES AND VIBRATING WATCHES

Never be late for a class.  Developing strong time management skills will help lead to college success!  We offer a large variety of watch styles and features for blind and low vision students, as well as hearing impaired students.  Our popular talking watches for the blind and visually impaired come in many assortments to choose from.  Talking watches have clear time announcements, alarm settings, time, date and day of the week announcements, multi-language watches and Braille watches for the blind. There are vibrating watches with alarms, digital alarm watches, digital analog watches, silent alarm watches, and watches with big numbers.  Click on a link and explore! 

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2.  TALKING ALARMS, HEARING IMPAIRED ALARM CLOCKS, SILENT ALARM CLOCKS, VIBRATING ALARM CLOCKS WITH BED SHAKERS

You won't oversleep with these vibrating alarm clocks, talking alarm clocks and bed shakers.  If you share a dorm room, the bed shaker alarm clock won't wake anyone else up but you.  Talking clocks will tell you the time at a push of a button, or by alarm.  There are so many to choose from for your specific, individual needs...  loud alarm clocks, vibrating alarm clocks, vibrating wristband alarm clocks, talking clocks, talking alarms, silent alarm clocks, sonic bomb alarm clocks, voice alarm clocks, and analog alarm clocks... ideal clocks for the visually impaired, blind and hearing impaired students. Choose a clock that will wake you up on time and keep you on schedule!

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3.  TALKING CALCULATORS

For the blind and visually impaired, we have low vision and talking calculators that read out loud accurate calculating results.  Choose from low vision talking scientific calculators, low vision scientific calculator with speech output, graphing calculators, talking calculators with alarm, English/Spanish calculators, business calculators, statistical talking calculators, calculators with ear buds, and calculators with repeat key.  There is a calculator for your specific subject matter.

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4.  MAGNIFIERS AND READERS (ELECTRONIC MAGNIFIERS, HANDHELD VIDEO MAGNIFIERS, SCREEN READERS AND SCANNERS)

View text and photos more clearly.  Scan and hear documents.  Hear a natural sounding voice read back to you as you type. These electronic magnifiers, handheld video magnifiers, screen readers and scanners make it easier to see or hear. Magnify important information you do not want to miss. MaxiAids has low vision magnifiers which include screen magnifiers, page magnifiers, magnifiers for reading, electronic video magnifiers, computer screen magnifier glass, text-to-speech (reads text aloud), text-and-image screen magnification, intelligent screen reader with speech and Braille access for the blind or visually impaired.  Hear text read aloud with our scanners and book readers.  For the visually impaired or those with low vision, we have text-to-speech players, scanners that scan documents and will read back to you in different speeds and languages.  These low vision products are important, essential items to keep you on a successful school journey.  Choose the one that is best to help you with your academic success!  

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5.  AMPLIFIERS FOR HEARING

Improve speech understanding and amplify incoming sound.  Choose from a variety of amplifiers that are light and portable for hearing impaired students.  These amplifiers will help you to succeed academically and socially by being part of the conversation.   Search our website for products to enhance your school experience. 

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6.  VOICE RECORDERS

Dictate, transcribe, record-- your notes can be heard loud and clear and played back as needed.  They're perfect for recording class lectures and speeches.  Portable voice recorders can go with you anywhere.  Look at the variety of voice recorders to customize your individual recording needs in school.

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7.  TABLE LAMPS/LED LAMPS/MAGNIFYING LAMPS
Reduce glare, eyestrain, improve contrast, illuminate papers and work, magnify projects.  Choose from an assortment of lamps and lamp magnifiers to help achieve the right lighting and results needed for accomplishing your academic goals. 

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8.  KEYBOARDS
Every student has their own unique, individual needs.  Here at MaxiAids we love to provide products to make your school and college experience as smooth as possible.  We have chosen a variety of keyboards that are specially designed to meet those special needs.  Choose from our large assortment of keyboards and accessories.  There are wireless, Bluetooth technology keyboards, keyboards with large print lettering and high contrast keys, yellow keyboard, Braille keyboard, Braille keyboard overlays, big key keyboards, backlit keyboards, keyboard PC without monitor, keyboards for single handed users, left handed mouse user keyboard, Maltron keyboards for dual handed or left handed, and virtual keyboard.  These keyboards are designed for your specific typing needs for more efficiency, speed and accuracy.

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9.  WRITING RELATED PRODUCTS (BOLD WRITERS, C-PEN READER PEN SCANNER, C-PEN EXAM READER PEN, LOW VISION PAPER, WRITING GUIDES)

Easy to see bold writer pens are perfect for those with low vision and the visually impaired.  C-Pen reader pen scanner and C-Pen exam reader pen are pens that read printed text to speech.  The text to speech exam reader allows you to take an exam in the classroom with head phones plugged into the pen.  They're portable and allow for easy reading and listening.  Low vision paper contains bold black lines and helps for easier viewing and writing.  Writing guides help with writing accuracy and guidance.  Look to MaxiAids for all your reading and writing challenges!

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Shop the C-Pen Reader Pen Scanner

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10.  LAP DESKS AND BOOK HOLDERS

Our lap desks and book holders provide comfort and better positioning for reading, writing and studying.  Promote better posture, less neck pain, and a more relaxed feeling when concentration is required.  Lap desks and book holders are perfect for when you want to be in a more relaxed position while laying down, lounging around or in a sit up position.

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Look to MaxiAids for a confident, independent and successful school year!

https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/resources-for-students-with-disabilities/ 

Easing the transition to college can be stressful, especially when faced with added challenges.  But also it can be exciting and rewarding when you are prepared and plan ahead.

For success and self-sufficiency within your college experience, it's important to find out about what accommodations and resources are available to you.  Residential advisors know how to serve all students, including those with disabilities.  It's important to know your rights and what responsibilities the college has to all disabled and physically challenged students.

To ease your way into dorm life, it's imperative to develop new skills before entering college.  It's a good idea to practice doing laundry, preparing food, managing money, etc.  Know how to do these basic skills beforehand will alleviate frustration.

Create a class schedule that allows you plenty of time to get from class to class.  Trace your path for familiarity and a less stressful experience.  Explore your strengths and difficulties and make a list.  Share your disability with your professors and investigate what assistive technology the college can provide to you before you attend your chosen school.  http://www.going-to-college.org/campuslife/technology.html

There are many products to assist you in the success of your college experience, helping you become learning independent, self-sufficient and confident.  After knowing what technology your college provides depending on your special needs, you can look to MaxiAids to further help you along in finding the right products and tools to help you achieve the learning success you dream of.  --Audrey Leonard

Blind & Low Vision Products  

Products for the Hearing Impaired & Deaf

Computer Products      

Mobility Products

Look for our 2019 back to school sale! 

The Survival Guide For Specially-Abled Kids  https://sortedforyou.com/guide-for-differently-abled-kids?msID=60b2a04a-3157-41e8-9dcc-b6554abba861