Hi everyone,
After reading Jane's last comment, I thought I might share a tip with everyone on how I keep my sleepshades from getting so hot. I went to training in Louisiana and went back for grad school at Louisiana Tech. Now that I teach in Hawaii, where I am closer to the equator than anywhere on the mainland, I get to experience an even stronger sun.
Since the dark color of the sleepshades causes them to absorb heat, I paint my sleepshades white. It takes a few coats of spray paint to make them look good, but the temperature difference is amazing. I remember, when I first experimented with it, being told to just make sure that the end result looks professional. In case anyone wants to try it, I want to tell you how I do it. If anyone can improve on the process, I'd love to know how.
1. Remove the Velcro strap
2. Make a cut-out which is exactly the same size as the outer rim of the foam part (with any error in the direction of being smaller because foam can compress)
3. Place the sleepshades flush against the cut-out
4. Apply 3 to 4 coats of spray paint with normal technique. I usually ask a sighted person to tell me when the Mindfold logo is no longer visible.
I will note that I initially tried taping off the foam but generally found that it didn't work because foam is a lot more flexible than tape.
I hope that's useful to some folks. It sure keeps me cool.
Aloha,
Justin
Justin M. Salisbury, MA, NOMC, NCRTB, NCUEB
Legislative Committee Chair
Honolulu Chapter
National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii
Email: President at Alumni.ECU.edu