Braille plays an essential role in making healthcare information accessible to those with visual impairments. This tactile system, composed of raised dots, allows individuals who are blind or visually impaired to access information, maintain independence, and engage with essential documents and instructions in various contexts.
In this blog, we’ll explore how Braille adaptations benefit the life sciences, particularly for healthcare documents, patient information leaflets, and medication packaging.
What is Braille and Its Significance in Healthcare?
Braille is a tactile writing system that uses raised dots to represent letters and symbols. Its adaptability spans both printed materials and digital formats, with devices like refreshable Braille displays making digital content more accessible than ever. For patients with visual impairments, this access is crucial for understanding healthcare instructions, dosages, and more, empowering them to take control of their health with greater autonomy.
Braille Compliance in the Life Sciences Industry
Regulations such as the EU Directive 2001/83/EC require pharmaceutical companies to provide essential information in Braille on packaging, covering details like product name, strength, and intended age group (where applicable). This regulatory standard ensures that visually impaired patients can identify their medications safely, thereby supporting their independence and reducing the risk of medical errors.
In the U.S., Braille is not mandatory for pharmaceutical packaging, but including Braille on medical products aligns with growing calls for inclusivity in healthcare and is considered an industry best practice in accessibility.
How Braille Benefits Patients in Life Sciences
- Increased Patient Autonomy: Patients can independently verify medication information, dosage, and instructions, critical for their safety and confidence in self-care.
- Enhanced Compliance and Safety: Clear Braille labeling minimizes potential errors by enabling patients to cross-check essential medication details.
- Improved Quality of Life: By providing information in an accessible format, life sciences companies contribute to a more inclusive healthcare system, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for visually impaired patients.
Braille and Technology: Expanding Digital Accessibility
With innovations such as Braille e-readers and refreshable Braille displays, visually impaired individuals can access online health information. Morningside, a leader in language services for life sciences, assists companies in adapting healthcare documents into accessible Braille formats, ensuring inclusivity across both printed and digital channels.
The Role of Braille in Morningside’s Life Sciences Services
Morningside offers specialized Braille adaptation services, transforming essential healthcare documents into accessible formats. By incorporating Braille into patient information leaflets, packaging, and other healthcare documents, Morningside helps ensure that visually impaired patients have the information they need to safely navigate their healthcare journey.
Learn more about our Life Sciences Translation Services and how we support accessibility across the healthcare industry.
About Morningside
Morningside, a Questel company, is a global leader in language services, providing translation and localization solutions to life sciences, legal, and corporate sectors. Our commitment to quality, accuracy, and compliance ensures that clients receive reliable translations for their most critical needs, from regulatory submissions to patient communications. Visit Morningside’s website to explore our full range of services.
Incorporating Braille into life sciences documentation is a powerful step toward accessible healthcare. By prioritizing accessibility, companies demonstrate their commitment to patient safety, inclusivity, and compliance with industry standards. Contact us to learn how Morningside can assist with Braille adaptations and other accessibility solutions tailored to the life sciences.
Anna Eisenberg is an Associate Director of Life Science Business Development at Morningside, with 20+ years of experience in the localization industry and a focus on life sciences. She is responsible for Morningside's life science strategy and maintaining relationships with global leaders in the field. Anna expertly advises pharmaceutical and medical device companies on best translation practices and is an expert in implementing workflows that improve quality, reduce costs, and accelerate deadlines.