During the 2023 World Braille Day we have been informed about tens of promotional activities and articles. All the braillists and the public are receiving more and more information about how important brail is. We’ve read a bit about the legislation concerning braille, but also about the need for people to get involved, and about the very ordinary but most effective willingness to make public spaces accessible to blind people.
A great example of such a “non-legislative” and non-directed solution is the initiative of the Slovak Blind and Partially Sighted Union and the Martin City Council in Slovakia, who have achieved a fantastic thing in cooperation with each other. Although any legislation in Slovakia is not focused on labellingthe recycling rubbish bins with braille or tactile graphics labels, this cooperation brought such labellings on recycle bins in this small city.
Opening the discussion was the first step, when the right people met, found a company able to produce such labels and labelled several rubbish bins in the town.
Obviously braille labels or tactile graphics labels can hel a blind person to recognize correct bin for putting the correct rubbish in for recycling. Slovak Blind and Partially sighted Union approached company Cestn̩ prvky, s. r. o., which manufactures such labels in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, and invited people from the company to a meeting. They came very willingly, explained everything to blind people and also presented the most commonly used types of labels Рfor paper, clear and coloured glass, plastics, tetra packaging and biological waste. Everyone on the meeting was able to try and feel the relevant pictogram and the Braille inscription underneath.
The message was clear for people from slovak blind union – if there is a label, it needs to fulfill its aim and serve blind citizens of the city. Once the project was approved by the city council, there were no other obstacles and braille and tactile labelswere installed on more than 50 rubbish bins in the city.
Of course, first of all, it is the braille labels for the rubbish bins, that can really help with orientation. But from the perspective of the Braille Authority of Slovakia, this is an important step and an example that with mutual open dialogue and the willingness of the parties involved, things can be set in motion and help end users.
More information can be found in an article on bin labelling, Magazine: Mosty inklúzie NO 04/2022, 27. 12. 2022 by Dušana Blašková (in Slovak language only)
How does the labelling work in your countries? Does your country supports braille labelling of rubbish bins in legislation or is it a standard feature? Perhaps some countries solve this problem one way, another the other … Let’s share the information and good practice. Please, put any of your experience or knowledge in the comment below this post.