Bridging Gaps and Building Inclusivity: The Braille Embossed Edition of Clemson World

“Our early copies of Clemson World arrived, and everyone is oohing and ahhing over how fantastic they are. Thank you for the support and partnership at every step of this process. We can’t wait for the summer issue to start arriving in mailboxes. We know our readers will be so impressed and engaged.”

At Royle Printing, we have always believed in the power of print to bridge gaps and connect communities. Our recent collaboration with Clemson (University) World magazine is a testament to this belief. We introduced braille embossing to ensure that their publication could be enjoyed by readers with visual impairments.

Behind the Project

Clemson University sought to highlight a compelling story about one of their alumni, Josh Loebner Ph.D. '22, who has overcome significant challenges related to his vision. Josh, who is fully blind in one eye and legally blind in the other, is a passionate disability advocate. His story, marked by resilience and advocacy, needed to be shared in a way that resonated with everyone, including those with visual impairments.

From Concept to Reality

Creating this special edition involved meticulous planning and coordination. The idea was to produce a magazine cover that not only featured visually compelling content but also included braille embossing to convey the same information to braille readers. This initiative required us to step out of our usual processes and explore new territories of printing technology.

Our customer service representative that works with Clemson University, played a pivotal role in bringing this project to fruition. She ensured that the entire process stayed on schedule, managing the various logistical challenges that arose. From coordinating the creation of sample dies to meet braille standards to liaising with braille readers for approvals, her dedication was instrumental.

Overcoming Challenges

The process was not without its hurdles. One of the main challenges was ensuring that the prints were made accurately to meet the stringent standards required for braille. This step was crucial to ensure that the braille could be read comfortably and correctly by those who rely on it.

The Finished Product

The final product was a magazine cover that included a blurred image to model the perspective of a person with low vision. Overlaid on this image was braille embossing, providing information about the magazine's contents. Inside the magazine, the cover story highlighted Josh Loebner, his journey, and his advocacy for disability rights.

As printed inside the magazine:

"It can be easy to take the ability to see a magazine cover for granted, but many are unable to access a visual publication. The blurred cover image is meant to model the perspective of a person with low vision, and overlaid embossing informs braille readers of the magazine's contents. The design demonstrates the need for assistive technologies like Braille as an ode to people like Josh Loebner Ph.D '22, pictured on the inside cover with his white cane. Although fully blind in one eye and legally blind in the other, his path as a disability advocate is clear."

Reflecting on the Journey

This project was more than just another printing job for us at Royle Printing. It was a reminder of the importance of accessibility and inclusivity. The positive feedback we received from Clemson University reinforced the impact of our work. We are proud to have played a part in sharing Josh’s story in a way that reaches everyone, regardless of their ability to see.

Through this project, we’ve learned that when we "cross the T's and dot the I's," we’re not just perfecting our craft; we’re making a meaningful difference. We look forward to more opportunities to innovate and create inclusive print solutions that bridge gaps and build connections.

Acknowledgments

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Clemson University for their vision and collaboration. A special thank you goes to our team that worked on this project and to our CSR for her exceptional coordination and dedication. This project would not have been possible without the collective efforts of our team and the supportive feedback from those who helped ensure the accuracy and readability of the embossed content.

At Royle Printing, we are committed to continuing our journey of creating print solutions that are not only high in quality but also accessible to all.

Translation of the Braille cover

"This is the Summer 2024 issue of Clemson World, our University magazine. In this issue, we highlight stories about disability and accessibility, including a feature story about Josh Loebner, who earned his Ph.D. from Clemson in 2022.  

As the global head of inclusive design for a prestigious brand agency, Loebner is making meaningful changes to mainstream advertisements, products and experiences. He is one of many alumni, students and faculty who give voice to their experiences, commitments and passions in this special issue."

Read more about this edition at https://clemson.world