Louisiana Council of the Blind

10/31/2025

Braille Isn’t Obsolete

With all the amazing technology available today, from screen readers to voice assistants, some people assume braille is no longer necessary. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Braille is literacy for people who are blind or visually impaired. Just as print gives sighted people access to spelling, punctuation, and grammar, braille gives blind individuals direct access to written language. Listening isn’t the same as reading.

Here’s why braille still matters:
1. It builds strong reading and writing skills, especially for students who are blind.
2. It promotes independence allowing someone to read labels, signs, menus, and personal notes without relying on technology or others.
3. It provides privacy, confidence, and choice in how information is accessed.
4. Technology and braille work together with refreshable Braille displays, Braille eReaders, and embossers make reading and writing more accessible than ever.

Braille isn’t outdated it’s evolving. It remains one of the most powerful tools for independence, literacy, and empowerment in the blind community.

09/06/2025

09/01/2025

09/01/2025

Did you know there are different types of canes for people who are blind or visually impaired? Each one has its own purpose and benefits depending on the person’s needs and environment. Here’s a quick overview:

1. Standard Long Cane (White Cane) – The most common mobility cane used for navigation. It helps detect obstacles, changes in terrain, and provides constant environmental feedback.

2. Support Cane – Similar to a standard mobility cane but designed to also bear weight, offering balance and stability while incorporating the white cane’s visibility.

3. Symbol Cane – Shorter than a mobility cane, this signals to others that the user has a vision impairment, but it’s not intended for detecting obstacles.

4. Smart Canes – High-tech canes that include features like ultrasonic sensors, GPS, and vibration alerts to detect obstacles or provide navigation support.

5. Adaptive Mobility Devices (AMDs) – Broader mobility tools often used with children or individuals learning travel skills. They can be rectangular or square-shaped devices with wheels or gliders, giving a wider area of protection than a traditional cane.

How to Choose the Right Cane

Selecting the right cane or mobility device isn’t one-size-fits-all. An Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialist can assess a person’s vision, travel environment, balance, and personal goals to recommend the most appropriate cane. They also provide training to ensure safe and confident use—whether it’s learning basic cane techniques, adjusting to a smart cane, or transitioning to an adaptive device.

For many, the white cane is more than just a tool, it’s independence, confidence, and freedom.

Have you or someone you know used any of these types of canes or mobility devices? What difference has it made in daily life?

08/15/2025

Making Hotels Accessible for Guests Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

Accessibility isn’t just about ramps and elevators it’s about making every guest feel welcome and independent. For travelers who are blind or visually impaired, small changes can make a huge difference. Here are some ways hotels can be more accessible:

1. Clear Navigation – Provide tactile and high-contrast signage, braille room numbers, and consistent floor layouts to make orientation easier.

2. Accessible Room Features – Offer talking thermostats, braille or tactile labels on appliances, and easy-to-locate light switches and outlets.

3. Technology Integration – Ensure TVs, elevators, and room controls are accessible.

4. Staff Training – Train front desk and housekeeping staff on how to give clear, non-visual directions and offer assistance respectfully.

5. Safety First – Use tactile floor indicators near stairs, keep hallways clutter-free, and ensure emergency information is available in braille and audio formats.

6. Booking Accessibility – Make your website and app screen reader friendly so guests can book independently.

A truly inclusive hotel ensures every guest can navigate, enjoy, and feel at home.

What’s one accessibility feature you wish more hotels had?

07/27/2025

Myth: Vision Loss Is Always Obvious

One of the biggest misconceptions about blindness and vision loss is that it always looks a certain way like someone using a white cane, wearing dark glasses, or having no sight at all. But the reality is, vision loss exists on a spectrum, and it’s not always visible.

Many people with vision loss still have some usable vision. They might see shapes, colors, or light, but struggle with details, depth perception, or glare. Others may have central vision loss, tunnel vision, or fluctuating vision depending on lighting and health conditions.

Just because someone isn’t using a cane or dog guide doesn’t mean they’re not visually impaired. And just because someone is reading a phone screen or recognizing a face doesn’t mean they see everything clearly.

Let’s break the stereotype that blindness looks one specific way. Vision loss is diverse, and so are the people who live with it.

07/27/2025

Cooking Tip for the Blind: Use a Pot Minder to Prevent Boil-Overs

Ever walked away from a pot of pasta or rice—only to find it’s boiled over? For blind and visually impaired cooks, it’s not always easy to tell when water reaches a rolling boil. That’s where a Pot Minder comes in!

What is it?

A Pot Minder is a small ceramic disk you place in the bottom of your pot when boiling water.

How does it help?

As the water heats up, the disk starts to rattle or click just before it boils. The sound gets more frequent as it reaches a rolling boil giving an audible cue.

Tips for Use:

Drop it in the pot before you turn on the heat.
Works great for boiling pasta, potatoes, rice, and more.
Listen for the rattle it’s your signal to reduce heat or stir.

A simple tool for safer, more confident cooking