As visually challenged individuals, we look for braille in our environment to identify the correct bathroom, find entrances and exits and push a button for a signal for crossing a street. Even individuals with little knowledge of the braille alphabet have learned to recognize some letters and numbers.
Trailing our finger tips to find the number outside an office door gives us confidence that we are in the correct place.
Now we can use the same skill to read the numbers and suits on a braille deck of playing cards. An added skill, we can play cards in the dark.
It is a pleasure to know that if we want a cup of coffee or a hamburger, we can ask for a braille menu from Starbucks or McDonald’s restaurants.
Pharmacies are starting to put braille on the label to identifying the drugs and the daily dosage. You must ask if your pharmacy can offer this service.
Some home medical tests have a tactile component to indicate the result. Home pregnancy tests and insulin tests can be purchased with a tactile or auditory indicator. Sadly, the rapid home test for Covid does not have a tactile indicator.
Sadly, braille is not found everywhere we need it. But Braille is showing up in some interesting places.
According to a page on Perkins Facebook there are several unexpected places that we may find braille.
A cell of braille can decorate a cupcake with a dozen cupcakes having a short message. The idea of putting braille on lego blocks has expanded to other toy companies. Mattel has put braille on the Helen Keller doll and you can purchase a white cane for your American Girl doll.
Braille jewelry is becoming a hot seller for a unique gift. I have a brooch with the cells forming flowers. My brooch spells Mom.
The APH has initiated a program in the Kentucky prisons to teach braille to the inmates working on a transcription skill. Inmates that have gone through the program are placed in a job after leaving prison. Only 3% of those inmates return to prison compared to the average 76% of the inmate population.
Braille has been found on record albums in the form of the title and even as a short poem. Some CD’s are starting to identify the title in braille. Even young people who enjoy tattoos are putting words up to song lyrics on their bodies in braille cells. Some go so far to have small plastic beads inserted under the skin to mimic tactile braille.
Though I long for the day when package manufactures will braille the product name on the container, I continue to be surprised where I find braille. In my newly constructed local library, I chanced to feel the walls. On soft grey paper the distinctive feel of braille cells festooned some walls. Upon feeling across the line , I could read individual words on one wall and Author’s names on another. What a wonderful way to introduce braille into a library for all to enjoy.
So when you’re out, don’t complain because there is no braille. Look for braille making steady inroads into your world.
Let your Fingers Do The Walking
Before the Internet,
Alexa and Siri,,
We were told to,
“Let your fingers
do the walking
through the Yellow Pages.
Delivered to your door,
along with holiday catalogs.
now, I ask my smart device,
“Alexa, Search Amazon.”
plethora of choices.
No need for pictures.
Just click on details.
Shop by price.
lowest to highest
Click
It’s in your basket.
change your mind?
Empty basket.
Done?
Go to checkout.
Your information is in the program.
Order.
Buyer’s remorse?
Press cancel.
Make another selection.
It will be at your door.
Tomorrow.
Shopping was never easier.
Alexa announces a delivery.
It’s on the porch.
Surprise!
A Welder?
John’s fingers are walking again.
Virtually.
Carolaspot@aol.com
9-25-23
traveling up and down the blind highway 