Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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QR Codes or Braille on Business Cards (self.Blind)
submitted by KingRichardN
I'm helping several companies with their digital accessibility problems, and we've recently been discussing non-digital issues. Business cards came up in a meeting today, and we were exploring different possibilities.
Printers aren't able to fit all of the info on the card as Braille due to the fixed size, and we don't think that a folded card with even more Braille is the best way to go.
One suggestion was to use Braille to direct VI clients to scan a QR code, and I know there are other applications QR codes for the VI community, but is this something you would prefer? Or is Braille the best option?
EDIT: More Information
The client I was in discussions with yesterday provides services to various charities that support the VI community. When interacting with new potential clients, they are giving out business cards and people in almost every meeting are VI.
Their domain name is 15 characters, and they are limited to 13 characters per line of Braille, and only 4 lines per card, unless they go with the folded card, then they would have 8 lines available. They are just looking to provide the most ease of use, and are concerned that their domain, and thereby email address, looping onto 2 lines might be confusing.
Printers aren't able to fit all of the info on the card as Braille due to the fixed size, and we don't think that a folded card with even more Braille is the best way to go.
One suggestion was to use Braille to direct VI clients to scan a QR code, and I know there are other applications QR codes for the VI community, but is this something you would prefer? Or is Braille the best option?
EDIT: More Information
The client I was in discussions with yesterday provides services to various charities that support the VI community. When interacting with new potential clients, they are giving out business cards and people in almost every meeting are VI.
Their domain name is 15 characters, and they are limited to 13 characters per line of Braille, and only 4 lines per card, unless they go with the folded card, then they would have 8 lines available. They are just looking to provide the most ease of use, and are concerned that their domain, and thereby email address, looping onto 2 lines might be confusing.
dmazzoni 6 points 4y ago
QR codes are pretty hard to scan if you're blind.
My business cards have only the most important stuff in Braille: name, title, email address.
My business cards have only the most important stuff in Braille: name, title, email address.
KingRichardN [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Yeah, I was wondering about that. I've been reading a couple articles about using QR codes to help the VI locate things, but it said nothing about how the heck to find the QR codes! I really appreciate your feedback.
TactileImages 3 points 4y ago
Did you take in consideration to go with entire pages, or half pages, not just cards? You have enough space to write more than just the bare minimum with strethed characters. Maybe a paragraph about the company, Motto, name of current project, awards, whatever.
Or fold the card differently so that you have 4 lines with double length for name, title, email, phone.
Or fold the card differently so that you have 4 lines with double length for name, title, email, phone.
retrolental_morose 3 points 4y ago
There's almost always enough room for name, website, and email/phone in braille on the card.
QR codes haven't reall taken off for the blind, but I use mbav lot. But then again, I use my phone's camera to read printed labels, letter addressees and all that sort of thing at least once a day, so perhaps I'm just more used to it.
QR codes haven't reall taken off for the blind, but I use mbav lot. But then again, I use my phone's camera to read printed labels, letter addressees and all that sort of thing at least once a day, so perhaps I'm just more used to it.
Quineg 2 points 4y ago
I'm not sure if QR codes are the best option on business cards. Adding braille name, title, email and phone number is a cool idea, but probably only if you know ahead of time that you are going to be handing them out to a high percentage of VI people. So braille makes sense for specific circumstances but I doubt it is very cost effective putting braille on all business cards all the time. It could be a nice touch, but it is definitely not something I expect to have when someone gives me their business card. It is easy enough to take a picture with my phone and OCR all the text so long as it is at least mildly legible.
KingRichardN [OP] 1 points 4y ago
I have updated my OP with more details. I really appreciate your feedback.
estj317 2 points 4y ago
Let me see if I can explain this.
I am wondering what these cards are for, and the pragmatic use of them. Will there be many blind people who will actually be receiving them or is the blind thing just a part of it, and you’re serving a larger community? If so maybe brailling every card is not a pragmatic thing to do. Brailling each and every business card can be expensive and so that is interesting. The qr codes is a better way to go but it’s harder to use. But would be less expensive. But how many blind people would you realy have grabbing the cards? Is your service geared to blind people, or are you just going to spend the funds on it anyway? I am a blind person and braille would be very nice, but I am also a very practical person as well.
I am wondering what these cards are for, and the pragmatic use of them. Will there be many blind people who will actually be receiving them or is the blind thing just a part of it, and you’re serving a larger community? If so maybe brailling every card is not a pragmatic thing to do. Brailling each and every business card can be expensive and so that is interesting. The qr codes is a better way to go but it’s harder to use. But would be less expensive. But how many blind people would you realy have grabbing the cards? Is your service geared to blind people, or are you just going to spend the funds on it anyway? I am a blind person and braille would be very nice, but I am also a very practical person as well.
KingRichardN [OP] 1 points 4y ago
I have updated my OP with more details. I really appreciate your feedback.
estj317 2 points 4y ago
Thanks for explaining. I guess the question here is what is the most relevant information you need to put on the card and how much of it do you really want in braille. Is everything necessary or is the bare minimum good enough?
I don’t know if anyone of us can decide for you. If you just want a simple unfolded card than you will really have to pick and choose your content. Qr codes may not be that good then.
I also think if a line loops on to the next it’s okay it just has to be done clearly and properly but that would effectively take up 4 lines though. So.
I don’t know if anyone of us can decide for you. If you just want a simple unfolded card than you will really have to pick and choose your content. Qr codes may not be that good then.
I also think if a line loops on to the next it’s okay it just has to be done clearly and properly but that would effectively take up 4 lines though. So.
HDMILex 2 points 4y ago
Braille.
[deleted] 1 points 4y ago
[removed]
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