Braille U.S. flag gives sight to the blind

Resolutions that didn't get passed during The American Legion's Fall Meetings in October did not go without recognition, as many departments still received appreciation for bringing important issues to the forefront. This includes the Department of Kansas for its resolution: "Support and Distribute the Braille U.S. Flag."

The Braille American Flag was created in 2005 by Randolph Cabral, founder of the Kansas Braille Transcription Institute, in honor of his late World War II veteran father who lost his sight. Since its creation, the Braille American Flag has received recognition from national organizations such as the White House Commission on Remembrance, the Blinded Veterans Association, the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, National Braille Press, the American Printing House for the Blind, the International Lions Sight Foundation, and the National Organization of Parents with Blind Children. And in 2008, following the unanimous vote of the 110th U.S. Congress, a bronze replica of the flag was placed within the Arlington National Cemetery as a tribute to blind veterans of all wars and other blind Americans.

The flag features the Pledge of Allegiance in Braille, as well as print, and is available in four styles - color, stone, bronze and poly resin. The color version of the flag is produced from a lightweight textile plastic that durably maintains the raised colors, stars, stripes and Braille dots in effort to give non-sighted individuals a sense and feel of the American flag's beauty. But for those not fully aware of the Braille color code, a "key" is located at the bottom of the flag indicating smooth stripes are red and raised textured stripes are white, while the white stars and blue field are characterized by raised graphics. Additionally, each style of flag has Braille dots located on the far right side of the stripes that features a lower case "r" indicating red stripes or "w" for white stripes.

To purchase a Braille American flag, there's a minimum donation of $5 and a portion of all proceeds goes to the Blinded Veterans Association. And to learn more about the Braille American flag or to order one, visit the Kansas Braille Transcription Institute's website at www.kbti.org or call (316) 265-9692.