In an increasingly inclusive business landscape, the question of whether to add braille to business cards has become relevant for many professionals. While a significant portion of the global population won’t directly benefit from braille business cards, their importance extends beyond the visually impaired community. As businesses strive to stand out, resonate more deeply with their audience, and showcase corporate responsibility, braille cards serve as a symbol of commitment to inclusivity. But for those who read braille, it is not just a useful tool, but a lasting impression on you and your company.
Most People Don’t Need It
When contemplating whether or not to get braille business cards, it’s essential to consider the demographics of your target audience. For most businesses, a significant portion of their clientele won’t necessarily benefit from braille on business cards. The one exception will be if you are targeting blind people specifically with your products and services.
Many Blind People Don’t Read Braille
While braille is a vital tool for many visually impaired individuals, it’s worth noting that not all blind people can read braille. Some studies indicate that due to advancements in technology, the number of blind individuals who read braille has decreased over the years. It is hard to estimate the numbers, but around the world, approximately 40 million people are completely blind. Probably more do have functional vision but reading braille maybe easier for them than large print. Also, I have only found information from the United States, but approximately 90 percent of people without functional vision do not read braille.
Standing Out from the Crowd
Before you think I am trying to convince you not to put braille on your business cards, consider that braille business cards remain a rarity in the professional world. This scarcity offers an advantage: a unique card will likely leave a more lasting impression. Handing out a braille business card can be a talking point and may make your brand more memorable than those with standard cards.
Inclusivity: More Than Just A Buzzword
Even if only a few people benefit from braille on your card, the gesture speaks volumes. It showcases your company’s commitment to inclusivity and ensures everyone, regardless of their abilities, can access some of your contact information, but more on this later.
The Value of Inclusivity in Branding and Corporate Responsibility
Modern consumers are more discerning. They seek out brands that align with their values. A commitment to inclusivity and accessibility can strengthen your brand’s reputation and showcase it as socially responsible. By adopting inclusive practices, like braille business cards, businesses can resonate more deeply with their audience. However, please note that this is just one aspect, and it only works if you are truly committed to accessibility and inclusion, and make all your physical and digital properties accessible.
Positive Reception from the Visually Impaired Community
Feedback from the visually impaired community suggests that such initiatives are not just welcomed but deeply appreciated. It sends a clear message: your business cares and values all its clients equally.
Limitations and Design Considerations
If you decide to go for a braille business card, remember the design constraints. Braille requires space, with cards usually accommodating about 13 characters per line across four lines. This limitation means prioritizing the most critical information, like your name, email and phone number.
This could be rather challenging when deciding what to put on a braille card. Most importantly, keep this in mind: the purpose is not to put all of your information on the card. Rather, to clearly identify who the card is from, and what is the easiest way to get in touch with you. Usually, when blind people would like to know more about what is on the card, they can use an optical character recognition system on their phone or computer to get the information, or ask someone to read it to them.
What sounds like 52 characters, it really isn’t, because you don’t want to cut your name or phone number in the middle. Generally it is best if your email address contains your full name, because just by providing it, the recipient has your name, your company’s name and your email address, and you only spent two lines if your name is short enough, for example:
First.last@
Company.com
Then you still have two more lines, where you can put your position and your phone number.
In practice, things don’t work out that well, if your email address contains an abbreviated version of your name, it will make sense to provide your name separately.
When you work with a provider, they will be happy to help you figure out what makes sense.
Alternatively, you can work with folding cards, where you will have twice as much space. In some instances, you can put braille on both sides of a business cards, but not all companies will have the technology to do it for you.
How to Get Braille Business Cards?
Acquiring braille business cards requires more planning than standard cards. Due to the specialized nature of braille embossing, it may take longer to produce, and there might not be a local facility that offers the service. Begin the process early, and consider seeking out specialized companies that cater to this niche.
When planning to braille your cards, also consider that some companies will put both print and braille on your cards, others will ask you to mail them the already printed cards.
My first recommendation would be:
GetBraille, where you can order adhesive braille overlays to put on top of a regular business card.
Another solution is the Braille Superstore, they can braille your existing cards or print them for you as well.
Conclusion
In the grand scheme of things, while not everyone will need or use a braille business card, its value extends beyond mere practicality. It’s a testament to your company’s commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and corporate responsibility. In a world where brands vie for attention, a braille business card can make yours stand out for all the right reasons.
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