Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Measuring stuff (self.Blind)
submitted by synthpopolis
Any reccommendations on blind-friendly measuring tools? I've tried using the measure app on iPhone and while it seems to have some VoiceOver support, I still can't figure out how to use it. If it is in fact accessible, I'd love an explanation of how to use it. Lower tech solutions are wecome too. Thanks!
howwedo420 3 points 1y ago
Amazon sells talking food scales. To keep things simple measure everything in grams. Google good for looking up conversions.
akrazyho 3 points 1y ago
The measure app is very powerful but it lacks any real accessibility. You have to tap on the screen the edge that you want to measure from and to so it’s not accessible in that manner.
You can use a tape measure for blind people but there are other options.
Just get a standard tape measure and use theSeeing A. I.
You can use a tape measure for blind people but there are other options.
Just get a standard tape measure and use theSeeing A. I.
mehgcap 3 points 1y ago
There are tape measures with tactile markings, but the ones I know of aren't the nice metal kind you're thinking of. Instead, they're a thin, flexible strip of plastic that has a staple every half inch. I don't like them.
The Click Rule is expensive, but works well. It clicks every sixteenth of an inch, and you can lock it in place when you've reached what you want to measure. This way, you can count the markings to find the length without moving the measurement. Again, though, it's quite expensive for what it is. As I understand it, each one is custom-made when ordered, which drives up the price.
There are also simple braille rulers, in metal or plastic. These are the usual foot-long rulers, but with braille and tactile markings. These are much cheaper than the Click Rule, but can't be extended past a foot like the Click Rule can and may be less accurate in some situations.
The Click Rule is expensive, but works well. It clicks every sixteenth of an inch, and you can lock it in place when you've reached what you want to measure. This way, you can count the markings to find the length without moving the measurement. Again, though, it's quite expensive for what it is. As I understand it, each one is custom-made when ordered, which drives up the price.
There are also simple braille rulers, in metal or plastic. These are the usual foot-long rulers, but with braille and tactile markings. These are much cheaper than the Click Rule, but can't be extended past a foot like the Click Rule can and may be less accurate in some situations.
synthpopolis [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Thank you for this really thorough reply! It sounds like there are a number of different options to explore but each of them has some drawbacks. It doesn’t sound like there’s a perfect solution, but definitely some things to consider. Thanks again!
thebrightworker 3 points 1y ago
what are you trying to measure
synthpopolis [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Uhh… I’m really not comfortable saying publicly. LOL kidding, kidding! You opened it up so I had to take it. :)
Looking to ship some things so need to measure items so I can find the right sized boxes for them.
Looking to ship some things so need to measure items so I can find the right sized boxes for them.
thebrightworker 3 points 1y ago
lol you're mischievous.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm... I actually don't know then.. I had heard that digital calipers have bluetooth capability so someone made an app for it to speak out loud the numbers. that doesn't seem to be the right solution here, unless whatever you're measing is no larger than 6 inches...
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm... I actually don't know then.. I had heard that digital calipers have bluetooth capability so someone made an app for it to speak out loud the numbers. that doesn't seem to be the right solution here, unless whatever you're measing is no larger than 6 inches...
synthpopolis [OP] 2 points 1y ago
OK that last line would just be too easy so I’m going to leave it there. Lol. Oh dear, this has completely gone off the rails and I think that’s exactly what I needed to ease my Sunday blues. 😂
If I can make a halfhearted attempt to bring us back to the subject, what about that iOS measuring app? Any luck with that thing? Are there braille or tactile tape measures that might be useful? Thanks
If I can make a halfhearted attempt to bring us back to the subject, what about that iOS measuring app? Any luck with that thing? Are there braille or tactile tape measures that might be useful? Thanks
TechnicalPragmatist 2 points 1y ago
Lots of them and my ex-boyfriend even has a talking tape measure but they are expensive and not easy to find. I have a tactile measuring tape though and I have owned a tactile ruler. They make all sorts of braille measuring stuff. I even have a braille protractor and compass. Different type of measuring. Braille measuring cups. Talking scales,
DHamlinMusic 2 points 1y ago
You could just go to a UPS store or the like, assuming you have one or can get there of course, otherwise you can get measuring tapes with marks at certain intervals.
ke7zum 2 points 1y ago
I use a click rule, or did a while back. Love that thing, shall I say, .oved that thing. It can't bend, but it does work well.
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