Watches are used to both monitor and be aware of the time and are either worn on the wrist, hung around the neck on a chain or clipped onto a garment of clothing. Most watches have a small watch face, and numbers that are either small, displayed as roman numerals or identified with a line at each quarter of the hour. For people who are unable to view a standard watch and are Braille users, a range of Braille watches are available in which the watch face is opened and the tactile markings felt to determine time. Braille watches are also available with an added vibration function to assist with determining time.
Wall, bedside or alarms clocks also allow monitoring and awareness of the time, and some include an alarm facility to alert of time for waking. A large range of clocks are available with similar features to a watch which may make them difficult to view. An alarm clock is available with tactile markings to assist in both telling the time and setting the alarm.
Timers are either digital or analogue units that can be set to specific times and alert when the time period set has run out. Analogue timers with tactile raised numbers are available to assist in setting the alarm, with an audible alert to advise when the set time has run out. Varying numbers of dots dictate different time intervals, for example 3 dots for 15 minute intervals, 2 dots for 5 minute intervals and one dot for 2 and a half minute intervals.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
For people who are blind and prefer to use Braille, traditional clocks, watches and timers are difficult to operate. Braille and talking models of these items can assist by ensuring; they wake punctually for work, manage time and task completion within the workplace, take appropriately timed rest or meal breaks and punctually catch public transport if required. Tactile timers can assist within the workplace if set timeframes are required for tasks.
References
Queensland Blind Association Inc. 2000, Braille timer – 60 minute, Queensland Blind Association Inc., Annerley, viewed 14 May 2011, http://www.qbastore.com/item.asp?itm=2146.
Vision Australia 2006-2008, Tactile clocks and watches, Vision Australia, Enfield, viewed 14 May 2011,https://secure.visionaustralia.org/visionaustralia/onlineshop/Product.aspx?CatID=32.
Vision Australia 2006-2008, Timers, Vision Australia, Enfield, viewed 14 May 2011, https://secure.visionaustralia.org/visionaustralia/onlineshop/Product.aspx?CatID=33.