Tactile Tile for Visually Impaired Users

Most of us who are blessed with fine vision, rarely give a thought to life without it.  I know that was the case with me personally, until recently.  Since becoming aware of detectable warnings several years ago, I find that I have become more sensitive to the needs of their intended users.  Occasionally, I have the opportunity to watch someone use a long cane to traverse a busy sidewalk and intersection.  It is amazing to me that people can have the determination to go about their daily lives, without the blessing of sight.  And speaking of sight (or actually insight), thank goodness that concerned citizens and legislators recognized the need for some sort of detectable warning device, since the removal of curbs at hazardous vehicular ways.  The removal of the curb barrier was a boon to wheelchair users, but became an obstacle to those visually impaired individuals who used it to sense their approach to a dangerous roadway.  The development of a truncated dome tactile tile for visually impaired people was a very good thing.

As the premier manufacturer of tactile devices, Armor-Tile (www.armor-tile.com) developed a system whereby the sound of the long cane is actually amplified as an additional warning for the visually impaired.  The Cast-in-Place tiles utilize sound plates underneath them, to create a void.  The void makes the tapping or sweeping of the cane produce a distinct audible warning.  Armor-Tiles also utilize state-of-the-art pigments to make them resistant to fading in ultraviolet light.  This is an important innovation as well, so that the tiles stay the intended, vivid color.  After all, not all visually disabled people are blind.  Many simply have limited vision or loss of color perception.  Armor-Tile tactile tile for visually impaired individuals makes a great deal of sense. 

By Mark Heimlich

Back to Articles