Australian designer, Rob Caslick has taken home an award in Milan for his 'Lights for the blind' concept - where LEDs are used in the writing of Braille. Did you know that 90% of people diagnosed as blind can see light? A blind person with light perception has the chance to read the Braille using their sight. The use of LEDs also allows a blind person with no light perception to read the tips of the LEDs as they would regular Braille.
While studying his Masters of Industrial Design in Milan, Rob came about the idea after spending time at the Blind Institute of Milan and realising the importance of light to blind people. The idea was developed with two other students and entered in the International LED Design Competition for the Community of Milan. The concept won and was chosen to exhibit alongside concepts from other designers such as Patricia Urquiola, Fabio Novembre and Paul Cocksedge.
The exhibition consists of 20 Panels of Quotes, Anecdotes and Songs about lights and blindness. The quotes are all written in Braille using LEDs and form a path between the Blind Institute of Milan and the Metro Station. Example Quote: 'Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light' by Helen Keller.
If only I could make it to Italy...The exhibition runs from December 6 until January 10 and is a part of the Milan Light Festival.
