[9/365] some curb-cut effects you might like to know about

[cosmolinguist]

Sighted people have a lot of problems that can potentially be fixed with things developed for visually impaired people, things like audio description* or tactile dots. When I point this out I usually don't know what people think of it or if they're likely to care.

But I just told an internet friend who was despairing at the problem of touch buttons existing outside of touchscreens (like modern TVs, etc.) can possibly fixed with tactile dots, and he said "you are changing my world, my life,," so I think that went well.

One of the first things mother_bones did when it was certain I'd be living here was buy some tactile dots to put on lots of stuff (like the oven settings I use all the time, or that I confuse with other settings...) but surprisingly many of the things are touch buttons where they have no business being. Like, I've never knowingly started the tumble dryer, I've always just inadvertently brushed my fingers near the space that apparently indicates the start button. My pal was despairing similarly about his TV, so I'm glad I could tell him about the tactile dots. They don't actually just have to be for blind people, anyone can Google them and buy them!

* The problems I keep hearing about and suggesting audio description for, by the way, are things like:

• "I want to knit/clean/do another thing that takes my eyes from the screen but still follow the show"
• "why is everything filmed so dark, I can't tell what's happening"
• "I can't keep track of which character is which" (because it names them! or otherwise describes them if they don't have names but you still get an idea of how important they are/if you've seen them before already/etc).

Comments

[alatefeline]

Thank you! This is very true and very helpful! I should remember to add some easier-to-feel things to my room’s fixtures, and declutter the space.

[cosmolinguist]

Yeah clutter is a lot of visual stress for me too, so the less of that there is the better. I know this is easier said than done though!

[steorra]

"I can't keep track of which character is which" - hmm ... on the relatively rare occasions when I watch movies, I tend to have that problem.

How do you access the audio description on media that have it?

[cosmolinguist]

It tends to be either with other audio-language options or other accessibility options. So, like DVD menus, what looks like closed-captioned symbols on streaming media...look in places like that.

[barakta]

I suspect that varies hugely by medium. I would probably approach it by googling the thing e.g. iPlayer + "audio description" and then seeing what comes back. Usually there's official howtos for that sort of thing.

The modern world where it's hard to work stuff out but sometimes easy to search.

Another trick I find is to ask about a specific thing on social media as people who know the answer may reply.

[cosmolinguist]

Thanks for mentioning googling it, which I'd meant to include but forgot. Yep, there's lots of good resources out there.

[barakta]

Tactile dots ftw!

[cosmolinguist]

Mine are all different bright colors too, so sometimes the contrast is enough. That's nice too.

[jesse_the_k]

I've been teaching myself how to use Voice Dream Reader by listening to fanfic in ePub while I'm crafting or stretching. Because it's fic I'm less stressed about capturing every word, or taking notes.

https://www.voicedream.com

[cosmolinguist]

Ooh, yes, getting things read to you is another thing I forget not everyone knows about. Because it's such a big part of my life. :)

[silveradept]

I am informed that tactile dots exist and can be used, thank you.

I am also glad to see more audio description being put into place and included in movie or other packaging. Good movies should be enjoyed by all.

[cosmolinguist]

Yeah I'm glad it's starting to be something I expect with new big movies or the stuff I watch on Netflix. It really quickly (space of a couple years) went from "I'll be surprised if it's there" to "I'll be surprised if it isn't."

[tarasacon]

I also was unaware that tactile dots exist, so add my thanks.

I am pondering places I might find them useful when my eyes are being cranky, and how they might help my significantly vision-impaired neighbor. (I don’t think anyone has worked with her in the last decade or two re: technology updates that might make her life easier.)

[worlds_of_smoke]

The curb cutter effect in action?