Tenji Blocks
Have you ever seen these yellow squares on the sidewalk or pathways? In Japan they are called tenji blocks and are textured guides for the visually impaired. They were invented in Japan by Seiichi Miyake from Okayama Prefecture more than 50 years ago and are supposedly all over the world now. There are two kinds of tiles, raised bumps and long raised parallel strips. The raised bumps indicated a stopping point or a possible danger like a platform edge, stairs, or a traffic light. The parallel strips indicate the person can proceed safely. The tiles are typically found in front of public buildings, pedestrian crossings and at railway station platforms.
9 comments:
What a marvellous idea for visually impaired safety. I haven't heard of them in Au. There are many ingenious inventions from Japan.
I've never seen anything like that before. What a good idea.
They are spreading like wild mushrooms. A great lifesaving aid for the visual impaired, a bother and traffic hazard for the cyclist who has to ride along a pavement.
I have never seen them in Sweden. Have they spread to the US?
Braille blocks rely primarily on going out as a guide for visually impaired people. Braille blocks are primarily a guide for visually impaired people.
Sometimes I see bicycles or parked cars parked on the braille blocks. It is annoying to people who along the braille blocks. Everyone needs to be careful,with or without disabilities.
Is the braille blocks only for Japan?
We have them on our railway platforms for the visually impaired to know how far away from the edge.
We've had TGSI - tactile ground surface indicators - here for years, although I couldn't say how long ago they first appeared. One of the companies that make them say they have been in business since 1989, so maybe that's how long.
I've seen those at train stations, but didn't know they came from Japan. Fascinating!
Pamela: This is an amazing idea, there are so many aides for the visually impaired that we do not know about this is one of them.
Thank-you for sharing.
Catherine
I feel I have seen them somewhere but can not remember where!
Post a Comment