Designer Kyle Lechtenberg noticed that most debit/credit card readers in stores have digital touch screens these days. While these interfaces offer privacy for customers making purchases he saw a big problem. What if you can’t see the screen? Lechtenberg devised an elegant low tech solution to address usability in the form of a molded paper card containing braille that could could be placed over the screen allow for private entering of information. Called the Visual Assistance Card, the design is easy to produce, lightweight, and low cost. There is also very little adaptation that needs to be done to the more expensive touch screen unit. A fantastic example of the application of design thinking and problem solving to improve the lives of people with eyesight challenges.
[via yanko design]
Other solution would be that all the touch screen for public use have a trasparent film with the braille text on it. The products need to suit the users, not the user to the product.
August 29th, 2008 at 6:27 am