Braille Labels: Making the World More Accessible

For people who are blind, learning to read braille is an essential life skill.  Learning to read braille allows for a better education, employment, quality of life, and is extremely important for indepence, health and safety.  Having braille signage on certain areas such as elevators or bathrooms is required by law, but there are many places where having easy to apply braille labels can help make life easier for those who depend on them. Let’s explore common uses for braille labels, according to our customers, in the home, office, and retail settings.

Home Uses For Braille Labels

1. Doors – label doors throughout your home so that anyone using a cane or white cane can find their way without assistance. This includes both interior and exterior doors.
2. Cabinets/drawers – place a label on each cabinet and drawer in your kitchen so that you can easily find what you need without having to search.
3. Appliances – make sure all of your appliances have labels so that you don’t accidentally turn the wrong knob or push the wrong button.
4. Light switches – placing a label over each light switch will help to quickly determine which switch controls which light in your home without assistance.
5. Thermostat – placing a braille label next to your thermostat will ensure that anyone living in the house can easily adjust the temperature as needed.
6. Refrigerator/freezer/pantry – add labels on, or near items so that everyone knows where things are located and what they are. 
7. Bedroom closets – place labels on, or near clothing items to help find where things are located, or what colors they are.
8. Garbage/recycling bins – add labels near garbage cans and recycling bins so that everyone knows which bin is which.
9. Prescriptions – placing braille labels on prescriptions ensures proper medicine being taken, as well as dosage.

Office Uses For Braille Labels

1. Offices & conference rooms – place braille labels on office doors and meeting spaces.
2. Desks & chairs – label desks and chairs throughout the office space with employee names so that everyone knows who sits where when it comes time for meetings.
3. File cabinets – label file cabinets with information so that employees can easily find what they need when accessing files.
4. Printer/copier/fax machines – place braille labels next to all printers/copiers/fax machines to help determine which to use, and on the buttons located on each. 
5. Elevators & stairwells – place labels on elevators indicating floor numbers (i.e., 1st floor), stairwells indicating direction, etc.  You may find that this braille signage must follow strict specifications required by law.
6. Restrooms – include signs next to restroom stalls indicating gender.
7. Supply room – place braille labels inside supply rooms indicating supplies available (i.e., pens, paperclips etc.).
8. Emergency exits – these are required by law in most countries. 

Retail Business Uses For Braille Labels

1. Shelving- label shelves throughout store displaying products being sold.
2. Clothing racks – include braille labels over clothing racks labeling sizes, styles and colors available.
3. Cash registers – place braille labels at the entry of the queue, then place labels next to cash registers or on self-checkout kiosks.
4. Price tags – adhere braille labels onto products being sold clearly listing prices.
5. Sizing tags – adhere labels onto size tags to help determine sizing of garments.

It’s clear why braille labels are important—they provide invaluable guidance for those who are blind, by helping them navigate their environment safely and independently.  Start thinking through how you can create an easy navigable space using braille today!