Blind Army Veteran Receives Braille Flag! (American)
@Masihi (4413)
Canada
7 responses
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
14 Jan 11
What a wonderful article/story. This makes me proud to be in the world today as we are all equals regardless of origins and or handicaps, therefore as a blind person they should also have the opportunity to have that wonderful feeling of being part of something.
By this I mean, he can actually feel what it is like without someone reading something to him that perhaps he will never correlate as he has never seen anything similar to it. Great article. Thanks
2 people like this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
14 Jan 11
I was extremely proud and pleasantly surprised, I hope the Canadian military can follow in this path!
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
17 Jan 11
I wondered what would be put in Braille on the US flag. The Pledge of Allegiance? Does this man know that his beloved flag is a violation? In his attempt to honor the flag, he and those who created it actually desecrate it?
I understand wanting blind people to have access to Braille editions of the Pledge of Allegiance and all other government and patriotic texts, but why put Braille where no words belong?
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
17 Jan 11
How is this adding to the dignity of life to the blind?
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@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
17 Jan 11
I see it is endorsed by the American Legion, so I'm going to call them today to see what the point of putting letters (which is usually considered desecration) on the flag. I know many Americans are blind, and it would stand to reason to design a flag with raised stars and stripes so blind people could know it's a US flag... but again, why put Braille where no words belong?
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
17 Jan 11
Well, I just had a great conversation with Randy Cabral of The Kansas Braille Transcription Institute Inc. He gave me a good 20 minutes of his time and was really nice. He explained to me the process they went through to get these flags approved. He also answered the question about how these flags do add dignity to the life of the blind.
Not only did he make me a believer, but he was nice enough to offer me one of the Braille flags.
Thank you for posting this and helping a sighted person see more clearly.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169538)
• United States
15 Jan 11
You know people like to make jokes about braille signs or sign language as well, but these forms of communication are so essential to those who are visually impaired or hearing impaired. The framed flag looked great in the picture and I am proud that it was made very near to where I live. This is a touching gift to give this man, and he illustrates the value of service to our society. I read that he still volunteers. I think people should not forget that every human being can make a contribution.
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
16 Jan 11
I agree 100%, and I hope Canada follow in USA's footsteps in honouring our blind vets here as well. Nothing like an outstanding guesture that inspires confidence in those who are disabled.
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
16 Jan 11
Sometimes the most simplest of ideas can be the most profound of ideas.
@topffer (42155)
• France
14 Jan 11
Hello Masihi,
I was surprised by your post. It is possible to represent a color in a black and white plate in heraldry, but I don't know anything similar in braille. For many blinds naming a color means nothing.
The idea to put a braille text on an embossed flag is brilliant. I like when things like that are done for handicapped persons, and this veteran seems so happy...
The technique of embossing paintings to permit to blind persons to "see" them with their fingers is used by museums since years, but frankly I was not expecting that from the army. Nice.
1 person likes this
@topffer (42155)
• France
14 Jan 11
Some bus are accessible in my town but a majority of sidewalks are not accessible to wheelchairs. A large city like Bordeaux had well fitted sidewalks twenty years ago, and they are removing some facilities now 
.
You are really lucky to have some specialized teachers for your children 
. For 2 millions people visually or/and hearing impaired in my country, there is only 1500 teachers, and expensive private schools are often the only possibility. I realize that Canada has now better social laws than Europe.
.
You are really lucky to have some specialized teachers for your children . For 2 millions people visually or/and hearing impaired in my country, there is only 1500 teachers, and expensive private schools are often the only possibility. I realize that Canada has now better social laws than Europe.1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
14 Jan 11
Yes, we have wheelchair accessible buses. Also here in Halifax, we have Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority/Resource Centre for Deaf & Hard of Hearing/Blind & Visually Impaired. I was fortunate to have benefited from APSEA growing up (they have intinarent teachers and support programs for disabled children in school) from grades Primary to 12. My 2 kids who also are visually/hearing impaired now benefit from APSEA's services. Halifax also have wheelchair-accessible ramps and elevators complete with Braille buttons, even in some of our churches. And yes, we do have fitted sidewalks as well.
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
14 Jan 11
They did have an excellent idea, for sure! I hope they do it for our Canadian veterans who have lost their eyesight as well as countries around the world. This is a great inspiration.
