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DIY Braille Sign - Need Advice (self.Blind)
submitted by 1018
TLDR; Does anybody have any other ideas for a low-cost, low-resource, DIY mechanism for making braille signage? Is it naive to think that instead of having bumps, I could drill holes to create the necessary tactile sensation? (I'm hopelessly ignorant when it comes to braille.)
Hello,
For a regional Burning Man event, I'm making over a hundred random signs with a variety of nonsense on them. I put some examples of previous years over at $1.
Later edit: whoops, I just realized how embarrassing it is to have a link to a gallery with photos that don't have an alternate text, when the very question is pertaining to being visually impaired. Shame on me. Let me try to fix this, here are some example sign captions:
* Warning, children left unattended will be sold to circus.
* Notice, thank you for noticing this signs. Your noticing has been noticed and will reported to the authorities.
* This river mud has healing properties. If you're an idiot!
* Necrophilia, just say no! (not even once)
* If your car hits my kid; he's yours!
* Porta potty emptied, swimming pool filled -- same day service! Call 1-800-sam-etruck.
​
I'm sure you get it. Just your typical juvenile internet type humor -- just silly stuff. The signs have since grown to look slightly more professional, but all the same, these should convey the general gist of things.
This year, I've become more involved with some general accessibility issue at our event, the dominant one being wheelchair accessibility (quite the challenge, given the rough terrain, and the various hills on the site). Beyond that, I've made a push to bring about more awareness to a variety of other accessibility issues that prohibit people from attending, visual impairment being one of them.
As part of that, I would like to make a small number of signs available in a braille version.
Now, before I get to my question, let me stress that I don't expect a braille sign to generate pragmatic benefits to visually impaired people. For starters, the signs consist of silly-jokes and memes anyway, so even the ones for sighted people have no other intent besides eliciting a chuckle. Furthermore, visually impaired people often team up with a buddy, and they'd still need to have the fact that there's a braille sign in the first place pointed out to them.
My main objective with having some braille signs is to raise the awareness for all attendees that we live in a world where not everybody has the same abilities, and that if we want to be "Radically Inclusive" (a Burning Man principle) that we should work harder to make that happen.
All the same, I don't want my braille signs to be just a gimmick either. I want them to be real and properly useful, such that if there were actually a person capable of reading braille, that they would be able to parse and read the sign.
Which brings me to my question;
I usually make my signs using coroplast and a sharpie (it's cost-prohibitive to use official sign-printing when you're making a hundred individual signs, that only makes sense when you do large batch runs). I'm racking my brain to come up with a way to transfer braille onto that.
My current (and presumably very naive) thinking is that it's not within my resources to go with a raised/beveled/embossed braille system, and I was therefore wondering if doing an inverted (hole-based) braille system instead. Essentially, **I'd just transfer the braille font onto the sign, and then drill holes where normally the bumps would be.**
Would that provide enough tactile feedback for a blind person to read it? Or is my understanding of braille so far off that I'm hopelessly confused?
**Does anybody have any other ideas for a low-cost, low-resource, DIY mechanism for making braille signage?**
Note; I had a look at section 3.2 of $1, which stipulates recommended dimensions of braille characters and bumps (is that the official word?), but again; I'm very limited in the financial resources I can apply towards this, so I'm looking for a solution on the cheap.
Much appreciated!
Jaap Suter
Hello,
For a regional Burning Man event, I'm making over a hundred random signs with a variety of nonsense on them. I put some examples of previous years over at $1.
Later edit: whoops, I just realized how embarrassing it is to have a link to a gallery with photos that don't have an alternate text, when the very question is pertaining to being visually impaired. Shame on me. Let me try to fix this, here are some example sign captions:
* Warning, children left unattended will be sold to circus.
* Notice, thank you for noticing this signs. Your noticing has been noticed and will reported to the authorities.
* This river mud has healing properties. If you're an idiot!
* Necrophilia, just say no! (not even once)
* If your car hits my kid; he's yours!
* Porta potty emptied, swimming pool filled -- same day service! Call 1-800-sam-etruck.
​
I'm sure you get it. Just your typical juvenile internet type humor -- just silly stuff. The signs have since grown to look slightly more professional, but all the same, these should convey the general gist of things.
This year, I've become more involved with some general accessibility issue at our event, the dominant one being wheelchair accessibility (quite the challenge, given the rough terrain, and the various hills on the site). Beyond that, I've made a push to bring about more awareness to a variety of other accessibility issues that prohibit people from attending, visual impairment being one of them.
As part of that, I would like to make a small number of signs available in a braille version.
Now, before I get to my question, let me stress that I don't expect a braille sign to generate pragmatic benefits to visually impaired people. For starters, the signs consist of silly-jokes and memes anyway, so even the ones for sighted people have no other intent besides eliciting a chuckle. Furthermore, visually impaired people often team up with a buddy, and they'd still need to have the fact that there's a braille sign in the first place pointed out to them.
My main objective with having some braille signs is to raise the awareness for all attendees that we live in a world where not everybody has the same abilities, and that if we want to be "Radically Inclusive" (a Burning Man principle) that we should work harder to make that happen.
All the same, I don't want my braille signs to be just a gimmick either. I want them to be real and properly useful, such that if there were actually a person capable of reading braille, that they would be able to parse and read the sign.
Which brings me to my question;
I usually make my signs using coroplast and a sharpie (it's cost-prohibitive to use official sign-printing when you're making a hundred individual signs, that only makes sense when you do large batch runs). I'm racking my brain to come up with a way to transfer braille onto that.
My current (and presumably very naive) thinking is that it's not within my resources to go with a raised/beveled/embossed braille system, and I was therefore wondering if doing an inverted (hole-based) braille system instead. Essentially, **I'd just transfer the braille font onto the sign, and then drill holes where normally the bumps would be.**
Would that provide enough tactile feedback for a blind person to read it? Or is my understanding of braille so far off that I'm hopelessly confused?
**Does anybody have any other ideas for a low-cost, low-resource, DIY mechanism for making braille signage?**
Note; I had a look at section 3.2 of $1, which stipulates recommended dimensions of braille characters and bumps (is that the official word?), but again; I'm very limited in the financial resources I can apply towards this, so I'm looking for a solution on the cheap.
Much appreciated!
Jaap Suter
impablomations 10 points 4y ago
Instead of signs, you could maybe go an alternate route aimed at braille readers.
Try contacting your local blind org or charity and see if they have one of these:
https://shop.rnib.org.uk/braille-labeller.html
If you supply the tape they might let you borrow one, if you supply the tape or make a small donation.
My idea:
Print out the wording you would be putting on signs, but also stick them in unusual places where people are likely to put their hands. Handrails, underside of handles, tables next to food vendors, that kind of thing. Sort of like a braille easter egg hunt as their sighted friends could join in looking out for them but it would require the blind person to read it out.
Next to toilet paper in bathrooms - 'Made from 100% recycled organic sandpaper'
On a handrail - 'this way to naked bear mud wrestling pit'
Stuff like that.
You've had a great idea, hope you find some way of making it work.
Try contacting your local blind org or charity and see if they have one of these:
https://shop.rnib.org.uk/braille-labeller.html
If you supply the tape they might let you borrow one, if you supply the tape or make a small donation.
My idea:
Print out the wording you would be putting on signs, but also stick them in unusual places where people are likely to put their hands. Handrails, underside of handles, tables next to food vendors, that kind of thing. Sort of like a braille easter egg hunt as their sighted friends could join in looking out for them but it would require the blind person to read it out.
Next to toilet paper in bathrooms - 'Made from 100% recycled organic sandpaper'
On a handrail - 'this way to naked bear mud wrestling pit'
Stuff like that.
You've had a great idea, hope you find some way of making it work.
1018 [OP] 6 points 4y ago
Oh my god, your sign-ideas are the best! I'm totally going to use those with your permission. You've understood the general tone and intent of this project 110%, I love it! Easter eggs is a great way of describing them too!
And thank you so much for pointing me to the braille tape/labeler idea. See, I had never even heard of such a thing. So I'm very glad I asked here, this has been most helpful!
And thank you so much for pointing me to the braille tape/labeler idea. See, I had never even heard of such a thing. So I'm very glad I asked here, this has been most helpful!
phistomefel_smeik 3 points 4y ago
I'm totally stealing this idea and will place such tapes all over my city. Thanks!
CloudsOfMagellan 6 points 4y ago
If you end up being able to do this you really must make one saying "do not touch"
1018 [OP] 2 points 4y ago
Hahaha, thank you so much for that idea! I love it, and will definitely make that sign!
TeamRedwine 5 points 4y ago
Sorry to say, but nonstandard braille is nearly impossible to read.
You could get a braille label maker and some labeling tape. That would ruin you around $50.
https://www.amazon.com/Reizen-RL-350-Braille-Labeler/dp/B00II08XH6/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=braille+label+maker&qid=1561087946&s=gateway&sprefix=braille+labe&sr=8-3
I warn you that the phrases you are making will take up a lot of room on a sign.
It is cool that you want to include braille and thanks for asking people who actually use it.
The truth is that many blind people ate now using apps on smart phones to read things like this for them, so it may be unnecessary to copy the signs in braille, but it might br cool to make different, secret messages in braille for people to try to decipher.
If you want help locally, you might look around to see if the steer army groups of blind people who meet in your area. The National Federation of the blind and American Council for the blind are two large groups that may meet near you.
Good luck.
You could get a braille label maker and some labeling tape. That would ruin you around $50.
https://www.amazon.com/Reizen-RL-350-Braille-Labeler/dp/B00II08XH6/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=braille+label+maker&qid=1561087946&s=gateway&sprefix=braille+labe&sr=8-3
I warn you that the phrases you are making will take up a lot of room on a sign.
It is cool that you want to include braille and thanks for asking people who actually use it.
The truth is that many blind people ate now using apps on smart phones to read things like this for them, so it may be unnecessary to copy the signs in braille, but it might br cool to make different, secret messages in braille for people to try to decipher.
If you want help locally, you might look around to see if the steer army groups of blind people who meet in your area. The National Federation of the blind and American Council for the blind are two large groups that may meet near you.
Good luck.
1018 [OP] 2 points 4y ago
Yeah, I recognize that due to new technologies braille is used less and less. It's perhaps more of a symbolic gesture, aimed more at people who can in fact see totally fine -- as an awareness kind of thing. To be honest, our event is sufficiently hostile to visually impaired that I'm not even sure if there will be any blind people (I realize how sad this statement is). Your suggestion of secret messages is a great way to describe what I'm going for. I was intentionally not going to make the braille signs also have normal lettering on it, they'd \_only\_ be readable for people who can read braille. It's part Easter egg, part just me trying to stir a little trouble in our community of not-so-radically-inclusive-even-though-we-like-to-pretend-to-be people - in a tongue in cheek kind of way.
Thank you for your response, much appreciated!
Thank you for your response, much appreciated!
oncenightvaler 3 points 4y ago
Hey Jaap Suter
Your idea sounds excellent, I've always wanted to do a Burning Man / Tough Mudder type event, totally blind.
So when I was younger my family had a coat rack and everybody initial was drilled in Braille by my uncle, it was a very useful and fun way to do it. A braille sign might have to be longer than your conventional printed sign but I hope it works out.
I was once at a National Federation for the Blind convention and my dad and I found a top for women saying in Braille and in tiny print "If you can read this you are too close.".
My university has very limited braille signage, they decided to label the elevators and the door to the Accessibility office in library and literally nothing else. As much as the elevator labels are useful and the elevators talk to tell which floor I would appreciate it if my university put Braille signs in front of their campus buildings or in front of hallways or whichever, so glad you are raising awareness.
Your idea sounds excellent, I've always wanted to do a Burning Man / Tough Mudder type event, totally blind.
So when I was younger my family had a coat rack and everybody initial was drilled in Braille by my uncle, it was a very useful and fun way to do it. A braille sign might have to be longer than your conventional printed sign but I hope it works out.
I was once at a National Federation for the Blind convention and my dad and I found a top for women saying in Braille and in tiny print "If you can read this you are too close.".
My university has very limited braille signage, they decided to label the elevators and the door to the Accessibility office in library and literally nothing else. As much as the elevator labels are useful and the elevators talk to tell which floor I would appreciate it if my university put Braille signs in front of their campus buildings or in front of hallways or whichever, so glad you are raising awareness.
Anianna 2 points 4y ago
Have you contacted your school about this? Sometimes it takes somebody turning on the light for others to see what they missed, so to speak. If it doesn't affect them, they aren't going to notice it until somebody straight up points it out.
jrs12 3 points 4y ago
Cool idea! It seems like you are really thinking hard about your intent for this.
You are correct that dimensions matter in braille. Spacing also matters a lot. A dot that is in a slightly different position can mean something totally different, so precision matters.
The braille labeler everyone is talking about can offer that. If you go to a blind association and offer to pay for some phrases on plastic, they might be willing to do them for you.
If you were looking for more of an esthetic simulated braille that is still technically readable, you could do rounded pushpins or brads. They wouldn't be as easy to read, but they might be more eye catching.
If you are doing this Easter egg style, consider contracted braille. It will save space and offer a puzzle for people with vision.
You are correct that dimensions matter in braille. Spacing also matters a lot. A dot that is in a slightly different position can mean something totally different, so precision matters.
The braille labeler everyone is talking about can offer that. If you go to a blind association and offer to pay for some phrases on plastic, they might be willing to do them for you.
If you were looking for more of an esthetic simulated braille that is still technically readable, you could do rounded pushpins or brads. They wouldn't be as easy to read, but they might be more eye catching.
If you are doing this Easter egg style, consider contracted braille. It will save space and offer a puzzle for people with vision.
tasareinspace 2 points 4y ago
it may not be super readable (I use it for labeling some of my daughter's stuff that's not embossable, especially like, measuring cups and such) but printing out the braille in the right size and then using dimentional fabric paint (from a craft store, like $1 )
​
but like I said, not super readable. If you can find someone with an embosser or even a brailler that would be your best bet to borrow.
​
but like I said, not super readable. If you can find someone with an embosser or even a brailler that would be your best bet to borrow.
bradley22 2 points 4y ago
I’m not exactly sure how she did it but my friend made me a letter grid with braille and raised print letters and numbers.
I think she used round pin heads for the braille and it worked out grate.
I’d recommend something like that and to use very strong glue.
Remember, they may want to put the sign on a table to make it easier to read
I think she used round pin heads for the braille and it worked out grate.
I’d recommend something like that and to use very strong glue.
Remember, they may want to put the sign on a table to make it easier to read
-shacklebolt- 2 points 4y ago
I suspect there's no way someone will be able to read drilled-hole braille. I certainly could not.
The cheapest method I can think of would be to buy (dymo-style) embossing tape and a braille slate and stylus with a tape slot like https://www.amazon.com/The-Braille-Superstore-Standard-Slate/dp/B0093QR2KI/ this one has.
You would need to look at the braille alphabet or a computer translation of the text you want to write, and emboss backwards. It's pretty easy to pick up with a little practice and there's instructional videos out there, even if you don't know braille.
The cheapest method I can think of would be to buy (dymo-style) embossing tape and a braille slate and stylus with a tape slot like https://www.amazon.com/The-Braille-Superstore-Standard-Slate/dp/B0093QR2KI/ this one has.
You would need to look at the braille alphabet or a computer translation of the text you want to write, and emboss backwards. It's pretty easy to pick up with a little practice and there's instructional videos out there, even if you don't know braille.
1018 [OP] 3 points 4y ago
>I suspect there's no way someone will be able to read drilled-hole braille. I certainly could not.
​
Thank you! That's incredible useful to know. I'm glad I came here to ask. Thanks for the embossing tape suggestion, I had never heard of it. That's pretty awesome.
​
Thank you! That's incredible useful to know. I'm glad I came here to ask. Thanks for the embossing tape suggestion, I had never heard of it. That's pretty awesome.
BlueRock956 1 points 4y ago
Hi, I have no idea what kind of event you are helping with. Could you inform me what participants do? I think that incorporating Braille is an awesome idea, as I’m a Braille advocate.
1018 [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Hello,
The event is called Burn in the Forest. It's a regional Burning Man event. More information at https://burnintheforest.com
Hope that helps,
Jaap Suter
The event is called Burn in the Forest. It's a regional Burning Man event. More information at https://burnintheforest.com
Hope that helps,
Jaap Suter
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