Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Braille Users: Are braille tattoos offensive? (self.Blind)
submitted by wriray
I personally hate the look of text or script tattoos and I don't like the idea of people trying to read my arm or whatever. I was looking into morse code and braille tattoos and I was curious if braille tattoos were offensive or insensitive to the blind or visually impaired.
The only posts I could really find on it were sighted people saying that having a 2D braille tattoo would be unreadable and pointless.
That is what I find appealing about braille tattoos, because like other tattoos, I could keep the meaning mostly to myself.
I have terrible anxiety and sometimes my brain just turns off certain senses, I guess as a flight response, and I'll often lose my sight or hearing for a few seconds to a minute during panic attacks. So, to me, braille would feel more meaningful than morse code.
I'd really like the opinions of people who actually use braille or are visually impaired before seriously considering getting a tattoo in braille.
The only posts I could really find on it were sighted people saying that having a 2D braille tattoo would be unreadable and pointless.
That is what I find appealing about braille tattoos, because like other tattoos, I could keep the meaning mostly to myself.
I have terrible anxiety and sometimes my brain just turns off certain senses, I guess as a flight response, and I'll often lose my sight or hearing for a few seconds to a minute during panic attacks. So, to me, braille would feel more meaningful than morse code.
I'd really like the opinions of people who actually use braille or are visually impaired before seriously considering getting a tattoo in braille.
Nighthawk321 19 points 4y ago
No, braille tattoos are not offensive. Frankly, anyone who would get offended by that needs to chill. I have a braille tattoo.
wriray [OP] 4 points 4y ago
I didn't think it'd be considered offensive but I know a lot of people are bothered by people who get arabic or Asian characters tattooed on them, for example, when they cannot even speak the languages/aren't part of the respective cultures.
So I was curious if that sentiment translated to a sighted person getting a braille tattoo.
So I was curious if that sentiment translated to a sighted person getting a braille tattoo.
Viola_Buddy 6 points 4y ago
At least with Chinese, "bothered by" is usually for the cringe factor, rather than the offensiveness factor. It's almost always done poorly, either the handwriting or the grammar or the actual strokes of the characters or the meaning/implications. An English equivalent would be something like, "why did you just get a kid to write 'toilletries' on your arm with a crayon - as a tattoo?"
multi-instrumental 1 points 4y ago
Give it a few years/months.
Someone will be offended! lol
*Appropriation of blind culture!*
Someone will be offended! lol
*Appropriation of blind culture!*
Sydgage 18 points 4y ago
Not offensive, and even if it was, I can't see it anyway! [Laughing Emoji]
AllHarlowsEve 4 points 4y ago
It will almost definitely make more people ask about it, but there's nothing wrong with it. The only main issue is logistical, in keeping the cells aligned correctly across a body that isn't flat, and not taking up your whole body to write out whatever it is.
I have a casual plan if I ever come into money to get a Braille tattoo using small gemstones, you could do it with something other than black dots if you wanted a less obvious braille tattoo while still holding the meaning and general design.
I have a casual plan if I ever come into money to get a Braille tattoo using small gemstones, you could do it with something other than black dots if you wanted a less obvious braille tattoo while still holding the meaning and general design.
palezombies 4 points 4y ago
I think that's actuslly a pretty neat idea.
KillerLag 3 points 4y ago
I don't think it if offensive, but one question is whether Braille has a special connection to you. You said you don't like people reading your arm... you can have the tattoo done in a different language (or even an ancient language like hieroglyphics or runes). If you like codes, you can encode the tattoo so only you understand it.
Or if you are interested in something really special, you can get tattoos done with UV ink that only show up under UV light. ;)
Or if you are interested in something really special, you can get tattoos done with UV ink that only show up under UV light. ;)
kissitallgoodbye 3 points 4y ago
I (partially sighted) have braille song lyrics on my ribs that i use as my mantra for when my diagnosis starts to mess with my head, and my husband (fully sighted) wants to get a phrase on his forearm in brown to look like freckles for focus when he gets overwhelmed.
Its not offensive. But make sure you post pictures for those of us who can see a bit!
Its not offensive. But make sure you post pictures for those of us who can see a bit!
bleeblat 3 points 4y ago
Hey, if it gets people to encourage literacy, it might be worth the trouble. Can you feel the tattoos? I'd get one, but I have too low of a pain tolerance to sit there, while some person pokes me for a long period of time.
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I'm completely blind, and prefer to read braille rather than synthesized speech, and I find that a lot of people are trying to get rid of that, but maybe tattoo might help, I'm not sure.
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I'm completely blind, and prefer to read braille rather than synthesized speech, and I find that a lot of people are trying to get rid of that, but maybe tattoo might help, I'm not sure.
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wriray [OP] 2 points 4y ago
From what I've heard, it depends. Some people have raised skin where they have tattoos and some don't. Some people who want to get braille tattoos opt for inserting body mods or scarification to make sure there's a raised surface
bleeblat 2 points 4y ago
Interesting, I wasn't sure how that worked. But I wouldn't be offended, it could be a good tool, I think.
girlfromthebasement 3 points 4y ago
I would not consider this offensive, personally. This idea sounds pretty neat.
RosyShine 2 points 4y ago
No, not offensive at all. my dad, sighted, still wants one of my name.
brimstone_tea 2 points 4y ago
Not offensive at all. I think it's a pretty cool idea!
Braille is a dying language anyway, with digitalization it won't be needed anymore in a few years.
Braille is a dying language anyway, with digitalization it won't be needed anymore in a few years.
HDMILex 1 points 4y ago
No? Who cares? Why would it be offensive?
In fact, we appreciate the thought of you (a sighted person) wanting to express yourself in braille! I think it's pretty awesome anyway. :-)
In fact, we appreciate the thought of you (a sighted person) wanting to express yourself in braille! I think it's pretty awesome anyway. :-)
laconicflow 1 points 4y ago
Jesus! No, not at all. Who cares?
DertyD1ngo 1 points 4y ago
Sadly there is always 1
enzwificritic 1 points 4y ago
no not ophensive
[deleted] 1 points 4y ago
[deleted]
derrekjthompson 1 points 4y ago
Well we can’t see them so...
PungentMushrooms 1 points 4y ago
This isn't offencive imo
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