Innovating for the Deaf-Blind Community: My Journey to Designing a Braille Fingerspelling Tool

          Every project begins with an idea. For me, this one was born out of a meaningful conversation I had during a recent event. At the Texas School for the Deaf homecoming, a deaf-blind woman visited my booth with a companion. Our discussion opened my eyes to a gap in accessibility that I knew I wanted to address. This is how I was inspired to create a new design for fingerspelling with braille, aimed at helping the deaf-blind community.

        During  the homecoming event, I had the opportunity to interact with individuals from various walks of life. It was there that a particular encounter stood out: a deaf-blind woman and her friend stopped by, intrigued by our 3D-printed products. We discussed accessibility, and her companion brought up the challenges that the deaf-blind community faces, particularly in communicating with others. His insight resonated with me deeply. I realized there was an opportunity to combine my skills in design and 3D printing to create something truly beneficial for this community. I agreed with him that there was more that could be done, and this encounter sparked my research into tactile communication solutions.

      Once the idea took root, I began researching how I could integrate braille into fingerspelling in a way that would be practical and effective for deaf-blind individuals. My goal was to create a product that could help facilitate communication by using both braille and tactile symbols. I experimented with different designs, aiming for something that could easily be understood by touch alone. The process has been both challenging and rewarding, as I continue refining the concept.

            As much as I believe in the potential of this design, I know that the best way to improve it is through feedback from those who will benefit from it. This is why I’m reaching out to the deaf-blind community for expert insights. I’m currently looking for five individuals who are fluent in braille and tactile communication to test the design. Their feedback will be invaluable in shaping the final product and ensuring it meets the needs of its users.

          I’m excited about the possibilities that this project holds. My hope is that, with the feedback from the community, this fingerspelling braille design can evolve into a tool that empowers deaf-blind individuals to communicate more easily. If you're interested in testing the design or learning more, feel free to reach out to me at hello@triwavetech.com.

       Innovation often begins with a simple conversation, and this project is a testament to that. By listening to the needs of the deaf-blind community, I’ve been inspired to create something that could make a real difference. I look forward to sharing more updates as the project develops and hope that together, we can continue pushing the boundaries of accessibility.