The tools we actually use

The 25 things that let me run our home and homeschool without seeing most of it. Cheap, simple, and field-tested. If you're buying for yourself, for a blind friend or relative, or you just love a good home system, start here.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The links below are affiliate links, which support our family at no extra cost to you. We only list things we actually use.

Kitchen

1Liquid level indicator. Beeps when a cup is nearly full. The first tool I hand anyone.Get it →
2Talking food thermometer. Announces the temperature out loud, so dinner is safe, not guessed.Get it →
3Talking kitchen scale. Reads weight aloud. Baking by feel is hard; baking by ear is easy.Get it →
4Bump dots (raised tactile stickers). On the microwave, oven, and stove dials. Every appliance gets a "home" setting I can feel.Get it →
5Cut-resistant glove. Chop with confidence, keep all ten fingers.Get it →
6Tactile measuring cups and spoons. Measuring without seeing the lines.Get it →
7Silicone oven-edge guards. So I never touch a hot rack finding the pan.Get it →

Labeling and organization

8Talking label maker (PenFriend). Record a voice label, tap any item to hear it. Spices, cans, medicine, everything.Get it →
9Tactile bump-dot variety pack. Different shapes mean different things. My whole coding system.Get it →
10Clear stackable bins. One item type each. Everything has one home, found by position, not sight.Get it →
11Rubber bands and safety pins. My free labeling hack: one band means decaf, two means regular. Works forever.Get it →

Cleaning and laundry

12Mesh laundry sorting bags. How I keep lights and darks separate without seeing color.Get it →
13Detergent pods. No spills, no guessing the cap line.Get it →
14Robot vacuum. It maps the floor so I don't have to. Runs while I teach.Get it →

Kids and homeschool

15Dual-format Braille and print books. I read to my kids with my hands while they follow with their eyes.Get it →
16Raised-line drawing kit. How we do shapes, maps, and letters together.Get it →
17Homeschool curriculum. The backbone of how I teach when I can't see the workbook. We lean audio-first.Get it →
18Tactile cube timer. The kids flip it to start a task; I hear when time is up.Get it →
19Talking wall clock. The kids ask it the time, and so do I.Get it →

Getting ready and personal

20Tactile clothing tags. How I match outfits, mine and the kids'.Get it →
21Tactile-dot medication organizer. The right pill, the right day, by feel.Get it →
22Smart / tactile thermostat. Set the house temp without squinting.Get it →

Home safety and tech

23Smart speaker (Alexa or Google). Timers, lists, reminders, reading recipes aloud. My hands-free command center.Get it →
24Talking bathroom scale. Announces the number so I never need anyone to read it.Get it →
25Video doorbell with audio. I know who is at the door before I open it.Get it →

Get the printable guide by email