Dealing with Batteries

I often get asked how I deal with batteries and here is my response.

There are a few things for me to deal with when interacting with batteries:

First, I need to know the size of the batteries needed.

Second, I need to know how many batteries are needed.

Third and most important of all, I need to know which way to insert my batteries. 

 

Through experience, I can normally tell which size of battery is needed for whatever I am working with.  Most times

For me it is either AA (double a) or AAA (triple A) size batteries or in some cases it is the good old C battery or the larger one.  However, I am sometimes fooled between determining whether or not it is a triple a battery or one of those little round batteries.

 

The number of batteries needed usually depends on the number of slots within the battery compartment.  However, in the case of those little round batteries, it is sometimes difficult to tell how many are needed.

 

The most difficult part in dealing with batteries is to determine how to insert them but once you get the hang of the technique it is not too difficult.  I insert the back of the battery, the end that does not have the raised bump, against the spring that is jutting out in each of the slots inside of the battery compartment.  In most cases, there is usually more than one slot and the batteries usually need to be inserted in opposite directions.  Example; if you have three slots, then the first slot would have the spring on one side and the second slot would have the spring on the opposite side and so on.  For little round batteries, it is a bit different knowing how many are needed.

 

How do I know that batteries have been inserted correctly?  Simple!  If I have done it the right way then things work when I flip the switch and if I haven't, then it does not.  Now that I am unable to see clearly, I can't really tell readily when a light is on so I put my hand close to the screen or light bulb to see if it is warm.  Truth be told however, batteries only work if you have inserted them correctly and if the device works after you have changed batteries.  My most difficult task I think is when I deal with clocks.  I sometimes need sighted assistance to tell me if the hands are moving and if I am unable to remove the face of the clock to feel the hands.  This trick however does not work for digital clocks and other digital devices.

 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and share my blogs with the rest of the world.  To learn more about how blind persons interact with batteries, visit www.aph.org.