Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Question from a non blind person (self.Blind)
submitted by Realm-Protector
Hi there,
apologies if this is a common question.
Being not blind, i often see Braille in different spots. Like on elevator button, stop button in a bus, also on baby changing tray in restaurant bathroom or on an information point in a zoo.
It always makes me wonder: when you cannot see, how do you even know it is there? How do you find it?
And do you actually use it? Now that I think of it, I have never seen a blind person using it.
thanks!
apologies if this is a common question.
Being not blind, i often see Braille in different spots. Like on elevator button, stop button in a bus, also on baby changing tray in restaurant bathroom or on an information point in a zoo.
It always makes me wonder: when you cannot see, how do you even know it is there? How do you find it?
And do you actually use it? Now that I think of it, I have never seen a blind person using it.
thanks!
razzretina 5 points 11m ago
Usually it’s just context. I put my hand out and see if I could find the braille. It’s usually in the same spot in most places. And yes we use it.
KillerLag 4 points 11m ago
Another reason is that it **can** be cheaper. For example, if you ever go to a drive-through ATM machine, there is a pretty good chance there is Braille/tactile markers on that keypad as well.
It is cheaper for the companies to order hundreds of thousands of the same keypads, than fifty thousand of ones with Braille and fifty thousand of ones without. So they use the same ones that are compliant with ADA laws, even when they aren't necessary (although that isn't always true). Same thing for the baby changing tray (but not always true). It's easier to make a single mold that fits all necessary laws and make a ton of them.
For elevators, I rarely teach people to read the Braille because it can take too long. It is usually faster to landmark something (say, find the upper left button) and then count the columns, and then down the rows. It is still useful to know Braille to double check, but counting two across and then three down can be a lot faster.
It is cheaper for the companies to order hundreds of thousands of the same keypads, than fifty thousand of ones with Braille and fifty thousand of ones without. So they use the same ones that are compliant with ADA laws, even when they aren't necessary (although that isn't always true). Same thing for the baby changing tray (but not always true). It's easier to make a single mold that fits all necessary laws and make a ton of them.
For elevators, I rarely teach people to read the Braille because it can take too long. It is usually faster to landmark something (say, find the upper left button) and then count the columns, and then down the rows. It is still useful to know Braille to double check, but counting two across and then three down can be a lot faster.
VicBulbon 3 points 11m ago
Other than what others have said about context clues, ADA regulation sates that a braille sign has to be placed 48 to 60 inches above the floor. That help narrows it down a little bit.
lil-alfalfa-sprout 1 points 11m ago
Also supposed to be placed on the same side of the door handle. (Not all places follow this of course)
DrillInstructorJan 2 points 11m ago
I ask this question too and I'm about as blind as it's possible to be.
The answer is it's not useful unless you have enough sight to find the thing it's on, or if it's something like an elevator control panel which you're going to have to find anyway.
The flipside is that I don't know braille and a lot of people don't these days, it's sort of a dying art, so it doesn't help me anyway.
The answer is it's not useful unless you have enough sight to find the thing it's on, or if it's something like an elevator control panel which you're going to have to find anyway.
The flipside is that I don't know braille and a lot of people don't these days, it's sort of a dying art, so it doesn't help me anyway.
B91bull 1 points 11m ago
Reading this comment made me feel better. Thought I was the only blind person who didn’t know Braille thank you 😀
bradley22 1 points 11m ago
Yeah, this is a very American thing. It’s good that laws exist there like the ADA, but here in the UK braille on things isn’t really a thing.
[deleted] 1 points 11m ago
[removed]
thatawkwardcosplayer 1 points 11m ago
I just sorta smack my hand around till I find it. Its normally to the right of the doorway and I have 10% vision left so I can see the blobs of color.
OldManOnFire 1 points 11m ago
Never bothered learning Braille. Don't intend to. Smart phones have made Braille 99% obsolete.
Once or twice a year I find myself alone in an unfamiliar airport and I'm sure there are Braille signs next to the bathrooms to tell me which is the men's room, but it's easier just to ask someone where the men's room is than to feel along the walls for a Braille sign.
Once or twice a year I find myself alone in an unfamiliar airport and I'm sure there are Braille signs next to the bathrooms to tell me which is the men's room, but it's easier just to ask someone where the men's room is than to feel along the walls for a Braille sign.
Rethunker 1 points 11m ago
YouTuber Tommy Edison created a video about Braille in buildings:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fYLdlO96uaM
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fYLdlO96uaM
SiriuslyGranger 1 points 11m ago
I use it for sure. Sometimes it takes a little bit of searching for sure. Hahaha! Feel the walls. Hahaha! :D
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