Brail and Tactile Stamps for Visualy Impaired Pilgrims

[Deleted member 73892]

We've read recently of visualy impaired pilgrims on Camino. I've also met and been told of such pilgrims when I've been on Camino. Something I treasure greatly - and I know I'm not alone with this, are the stamps I collect on my credentials. I know that the albergues/cafés/restaurants are proud of their own stamps and pleased to be administering them. They are great reminders of many aspects to Camino.
It would be excellent if visualy impaired pilgrims could savour in this too - or are there already tactile, raised surface stamps-stickers available to them along the routes? I've never seen any nor heard of them, so perhaps it is time this was available!? Stamp providers could also include either brail or tactile names-locations with the stamps.
I'm sure there must be a national or at least regional associations for the VI in Spain. It could be funded in many ways and once set-up and running the costs would reduce. To say there are not enough VI Pilgrims on Camino every year is no reason to exclude a minority. Every VI person should be able to and have access to such a resource, which would last them for life and be a constant reminder of their experience and achievement. Credentials should also be available in brail - or are they already? I do hope so, and if not then a way should be found to include them as an essential part of any Camino. It could go further - brail-tactile tablets at significant locations and for the routes, for example, or even tactile pictures of the landscape views and buildings. But tactile stamps and names would be a significant start. Are VI people able to participate in this forum too?
Does anyone have the facility to check into this.?
Best wishes to all. Buen Camino.
Keith

 

[Kathar1na]

One could also explore how blind people visualise or read raised-line drawings (I know next to nothing about this), especially tiny drawings like sellos, and what tools there exist today that can turn a 2-dimensional drawing into a raised line drawing or to have text recognised and read out (I know next to nothing about this but seem to vaguely remember that such tools exist nowadays). Did you ever chat with the pilgrims you met on the camino about this?

 

[Tia Valeria]

A lovely idea. Sadly the raised type of stamp is very expensive to produce as it usually needs 2 rigid blocks and a lever unlike the simple rubber stamp. Also it has to fit near the edge of any paper as it usually has only a short arm/inset area. It is not easy to get one made either. (We wanted to renew an address embosser and had great difficulty and very expensive)
However more positively maybe the Pilgrims' Office could invest in one so that VI pilgrims could at least have their final sello in a raised form. Cathedrals and major albergues etc along the Way might also then follow and set an example, but I doubt if all the small businesses would do so.

 

[Deleted member 73892]

A lovely idea. Sadly the raised type of stamp is very expensive to produce as it usually needs 2 rigid blocks and a lever unlike the simple rubber stamp. Also it has to fit near the edge of any paper as it usually has only a short arm/inset area. It is not easy to get one made either. (We wanted to renew an address embosser and had great difficulty and very expensive)
However more positively maybe the Pilgrims' Office could invest in one so that VI pilgrims could at least have their final sello in a raised form. Cathedrals and major albergues etc along the Way might also then follow and set an example, but I doubt if all the small businesses would do so.

Its far easier to buy tactile stickers now, printing has become so high-tec and you can buy rolls of them, or just a few, depending upon who produces and sells them. A hand-held embosing stamp would be expensive and need care to handle - perhaps a special one just for the Pilgrims Office and tactile stickers along the Way ?
Keith

 

[Tia Valeria]

Great. I was thinking of the hand-held embosser and did not know that it is easy to get tactile stickers now. Much better too than a pressed stamp as both sides of the paper can still be used and no width/depth problem either.
Still a special hand-held embosser for the Pilgrim's Office might be good - with a specified desk allocated daily for the VI and any helper. Save passing the embosser around.......and only out if needed.

 

[BartM]

Here is an embossed stamp I got this year in Seixas on the Camino Portugués. Someone had set up a table in their garage and were offering a drink and cookies to passing pilgrims. The stamp seems worn out, or possibly just struggles with the thick card of the credencial.

 

[henrythedog]

We've read recently of visualy impaired pilgrims on Camino. I've also met and been told of such pilgrims when I've been on Camino. Something I treasure greatly - and I know I'm not alone with this, are the stamps I collect on my credentials. I know that the albergues/cafés/restaurants are proud of their own stamps and pleased to be administering them. They are great reminders of many aspects to Camino.
It would be excellent if visualy impaired pilgrims could savour in this too - or are there already tactile, raised surface stamps-stickers available to them along the routes? I've never seen any nor heard of them, so perhaps it is time this was available!? Stamp providers could also include either brail or tactile names-locations with the stamps.
I'm sure there must be a national or at least regional associations for the VI in Spain. It could be funded in many ways and once set-up and running the costs would reduce. To say there are not enough VI Pilgrims on Camino every year is no reason to exclude a minority. Every VI person should be able to and have access to such a resource, which would last them for life and be a constant reminder of their experience and achievement. Credentials should also be available in brail - or are they already? I do hope so, and if not then a way should be found to include them as an essential part of any Camino. It could go further - brail-tactile tablets at significant locations and for the routes, for example, or even tactile pictures of the landscape views and buildings. But tactile stamps and names would be a significant start. Are VI people able to participate in this forum too?
Does anyone have the facility to check into this.?
Best wishes to all. Buen Camino.
Keith

What a splendid idea.

I’ve come across embossed stamps in my professional life - many legal ‘seals’ are like that.

I have one Camino sello (actually a sealing-wax stamp with a seal imprinted in it) which is tactile.

I hope you get some supportive replies.

 

[Deleted member 73892]

What a splendid idea.

I’ve come across embossed stamps in my professional life - many legal ‘seals’ are like that.

I have one Camino sello (actually a sealing-wax stamp with a seal imprinted in it) which is tactile.

I hope you get some supportive replies.

Thanks for the support Henry. Every pilgrim should be included in the enjoyment of the credential stamps, the scenery and landscape. My credential stamps bring back fond memories, often ones I'd forgotten about. I am sure it is so for many pilgrims.
Best regards
keith

 

[Deleted member 73892]

Here is an embossed stamp I got this year in Seixas on the Camino Portugués. Someone had set up a table in their garage and were offering a drink and cookies to passing pilgrims. The stamp seems worn out, or possibly just struggles with the thick card of the credencial.
View attachment 64385

Thanks for posting this Bart. I wonder if there are any more out there, on other routes... ?