Holistic accessibility consulting for travel and tourism
A tactile map is a map designed to be read by touch: spatial relationships translated into a form the fingertips can read. Raised lines, textures, shapes, and braille labels do the work that printed lines and colors do on a visual map.
Leave a CommentRecently I found that more and more flights have braille numbers above the seats. The first time I came across this in 2023 on an Air Canada flight. But I also read that United Airlines will outfit all their flights with braille seat numbers by the end of 2026.
Since then, I found these more often, last time a week ago when I was flying to Washington DC.
Leave a CommentIf you are blind, when you visit a restroom by default you will end up touching many more things than sighted people to find the same facilities. Wouldn’t it be great to minimize contact with things you wouldn’t need to touch in the first place?
This is why I invented the accessible tactile 3D printed restroom maps.
A tactile restroom map is a 3D-printed miniature replica of a restroom’s layout, mounted beside the ADA sign, that blind visitors can feel before entering.
When a blind person visits a restroom, before they enter they can quickly examine a map of the exact layout of the restroom so they can go exactly where they want to without having to explore and accidentally touch more than necessary.
In person-centered learning, communication, alongside access to information, is important for education, employment, and day-to-day life activities, especially for people with visual impairment. Accessibility has been improved over the years with the development of technology, with the biggest focus being placed on Braille and audio aids. But which one is better? The effectiveness of these aids is discussed and analyzed in regard to their benefits, limitations, and best use cases.
Leave a CommentDuring the time of technological advancements, one main concern remains at the forefront: enabling ease of communication for the disabled, especially those who are visually impaired. With the rise of AI-integrated devices, voice-operated machines, and accessibility software, visually impaired people can now move around the world with much more ease.
This article talks about how automated devices are changing the way blind people communicate, enabling them to achieve higher degrees of independence.
Leave a CommentMaking Accessibility Tangible: Our New
Braille Production Services announcement
Launch May 1, 2025
At Even Grounds, accessibility isn’t an add-on — it’s at the heart of what we do.
That’s why we are proud to announce the launch of our Braille Production Services, officially available starting May 1, 2025.
What differentiates us from other similar companies is that we are leveraging our 3D design and production services, offering 2D tactile design to create exactly what makes life most accessible to your
clients.
Creating accessible maps for individuals with visual impairments is a complex process. When designing tactile maps, we need to carefully consider how to best integrate braille to convey information effectively without sacrificing practicality and efficiency. This post explores the challenges and solutions involved in using braille on tactile maps, drawing from our design experience.
Leave a CommentI recently finished reading Crooked Paths Made Straight by Isabelle L.D. Grant, and it’s a book that has really stayed with me. It’s not just a travelogue; it’s a deeply personal account of a blind teacher’s journey around the world in 1959 and 1960, and it offers a unique window into a time that feels very distant from our own. What struck me from the beginning is that this book was completed more than sixty years ago, which gives the text a special historical context.
Leave a CommentDrive-through ATMs with Braille buttons have long perplexed many, giving rise to questions, jokes, and urban legends. After all, blind individuals don’t drive, so why would there be Braille on machines explicitly designed for drivers? As it turns out, the presence of Braille is based on a combination of practical, legal, and manufacturing reasons. This article delves into the explanations behind this seemingly contradictory design choice.
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.
Leave a Comment