July 13, 2021

Tactile paving at train stations; Braille and assistive technology

18 minutes

There have been some promising signs emerging from Network Rail over the last 12 months around the installation of tactile paving on the edge of their train station platforms.

But tonight, we're questioning whether action is being taken quickly enough to make train stations a safer place for blind and visually impaired rail users. Last year, a Freedom of Information report showed that 35% of the UK’s train platforms did not have tactile paving. But what is the situation a year on?

We revisit the discussion about braille’s future within the technological age. Since braille’s invention by Louise Braille almost 300 years ago, it is undeniable that braille has radically enhanced the lives of some blind people and, of course, has continued to do so ever since. But it is also true that it can be a complicated system to learn, it can take great sensitivity of touch, and is only mastered comfortably by a very small percentage of the population.

We hear your thoughts on this and those of Dave Williams, The Chair of the Braillists Foundation.

Presenter: Peter White

Producer: Beth Hemmings

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By BBC Radio 4

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