TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -- According to the American Foundation For The Blind there are more than a half a million people in the state of Florida that are blind or visually impaired.
More and more smart phones are helping visually impaired people live better lives.
Toni King is visually impaired. She can't see anything in her left eye and can only see light through a pin size hole in her right eye.
Toni King says, "When you loose your sight it is like losing a loved one. The same process of grief. Because you lost apart of yourself."
But all hope is not lost.
King adds, "The good news is it can all be overcome."
And to overcome any limitations she may have, she is going high tech using tablets and her smart phone.
King says, "Technology levels the playing field for those of us working. So I can compete with sighted people."
At the Capitol the Florida of Association of Agencies Serving the Blind is holding their annual Vision Summit.
Toni shows us how technology and apps help her identify colors, provide directions and reads currency.
She spent time with lawmakers making sure agencies that provide services to the blind and visually impaired stay at the top of their list.
Last year experts say the legistlature gave the division of blind services more than 50 million dollars.
Toni King says that money helps people like her.
King says, "It is the difference between sitting in the corner of your home or being gainfully employed like I am."
