For context, please see the LinkedIn post by Stuart Bernstein – from Solve for (x).
Image from there too.
Somewhat longer read, no AI.
For non blind people, being where this image was taken or seeing a digital representation of it (like the above) can bring the reminder/awareness for inclusion and contemplation of all that visual stimulation, that probable awe, how could it be experienced by someone who cannot see (and maybe not hear either)?
– the physical experience of the climb there, the gradual feeling of denser and colder air (even if sometimes a small difference), maybe a cooler gradual breeze. Maybe a gradually extended exposure, gradually less urban presence and a denser natural surrounding, the path may not be as straight anymore, the trees may be more present – and leaves more visible in their shape and colors – depending on the season they may not even be in the trees, leaving them bare as a reminder of the cycles of prosperity and resilience, or maybe they are in the air floating in the wind around you or rustling under your steps, someone pushing them in play with every step or some kids laughing as they throw then in the air at one-another. Depending where you are, you may start to notice details from outside of your usual from the couch or daily people-mover routine, an animal in the more and more exposed natural environment, a squirrel going back and forth to a tree and scouting the area, a bird plucking a feather for its nest, a kid playing with a weird shaped branch as if a hero’s super-powered accessory…
Some of this can be a hearing experience, some can be a tactile experience like the wind or the colder, denser air on the skin or the air you breathe, some of it may be the person(s) next to you that notice these kinds of details and points them out to you – maybe sharing their reaction/impression in a way that you didn’t consider at the time – which made you appreciate the moment exponentially more.
It seems to me that we tend to consider the experience of someone that can’t see from the moment that they are there already and now what. But in order for them to be there they need to be aware that they have an experience that is for them too, that they are included, and while some people that cannot see (maybe even most) may not need an incentive or assurance or a feeling or calling from outside in order to do/try this, I think having an environment that is aware, inclusive and actually inviting can make such a big difference.
Though sometimes this is not clearly reflected in the instagram post with a victory sign and a wink – that’s another story which I’d not be quick to judge; while in awe, people (that can see) can be in a more meditative state which would seem to be more attuned with the reaction: see/feel the rail with braille > wow, yes people that cannot see should have an extra stimuli that goes along with the murmur of the environment (be it nature or be it people) as you walk slowly by the rail (hence the so many positive responses to the LinkedIn post).
Someone said the there’s a standard size of the brail dots and that’s an expectation and an ease to have it that way – while I cannot verify this now (I am curios of reactions form actual people that cannot see). Also said: not only that, but only plus minus 10% of people that cannot see know to understand braille. In this context I applaud the effort and appreciate the result even more because I think:
– having ways in which seeing-people have the opportunity to consider and contemplate the blind people is a needed step towards normalizing it and bringing a culture of habit and inclusion.
– It can incentivize blind people that cannot read braille to do start learning and using it to add to the way they navigate and experience life – that sounds like a lot of people that could exponentially enhance their life experience and normalizing and facilitating this makes then even so much more sense if these are the numbers.
– Again, the reaction and perspective of actually someone that cannot see and is involved in advancing the accessibility of braille would be the most valuable in such context. Without being this, my perspective is that I’d like (if it isn’t already at least in some experimental segments) for such ways of making non audio information be communicable through words so much normalized like we take the flexibility of typography for granted (or even ruin it) by having smaller and bigger fonts for different contexts like one title word on a bigger banner or poster, or an italicized quote, or in this case just one sentence or verse that follows you along as you walk the vista by the rail.
This has been the reaction of someone that can see, and is probably taking it for granted too often, and has been too neglectful of how many people can be without the privilege of being able to appreciate so many things that so many of us too often take for granted – not just sight, hearing, or physical mobility, but also access to clean water, education and diversity of opinions, freedom of expression, climate control, mobility, technology and other life services and accessories.
