Practical Tips for Making Travel and Public Spaces “More Accessible”

April 8, 2026

By Morrison

1. Describe, don’t point; Use Tactile Communication When Needed

Pointing, gesturing, or saying “over there” does not work for DeafBlind travelers. Clear, descriptive language does. It removes ambiguity, reduces stress, and supports everyone — not just people with disabilities.

Examples of effective description:

“The elevator is 20 feet ahead on your right.”
“The open train door is the third car.”
“The bus terminal is in the building past the garage, on your left.”

This is the same principle as replacing “as you can see” with meaningful description: you increase comprehension by giving information people can actually use.

But spoken or signed description isn’t always enough. When appropriate and with consent, use tactile communication to provide precise, accessible information -where you are meeting them where they are in this space.

Tactile Communication Options

(Always ASK for Consent!)

• Shoulder tap → hand connection → tactile map

Lightly tap the person’s shoulder to get their attention. Then move your hand down toward their hand and wait for them to take it. Never grab their hand(s). Once they take your hand, gently tap the back of the hand that is holding yours to ask them to bring up their other hand. Use their palm to create a tactile map:

Tap to show the starting point
Trace the direction of travel
Mark turns, doors, or landmarks with simple tactile cues This method gives spatial information clearly and respectfully.

• Offering human guide

Tap their upper arm lightly, then move down toward their hand. Wait for them to take your hand. Guide their hand to your elbow, the standard, safe position for human guide technique. Walk with them, not ahead of them. Your body becomes a stable, predictable reference point.

• Manual alphabet or print‑on‑palm

If you know the manual alphabet, tap their shoulder, then slide your hand under theirs so you can spell into their palm.

Or use print‑on‑palm: write letters/numbers slowly and clearly on their hand. This is useful for names, gate numbers, short words, or clarifying details.

2. Provide tactile information everywhere.

Tactile access is equitable access.
This includes:

Raised signage (signage that have tactile texts on them)
Braille labels & raised bold text-based labeld
Tactile floor indicators
Tactile pavers & markers
Tactile maps
Consistent placement of scanners and kiosks (accessible by touch!)

When tactile information is present, DeafBlind travelers can navigate autonomously instead of relying on inexperienced staff, strangers or guesswork.

3. Train staff in DeafBlind communication.

A little training prevents a lot of harm. And may benefit others who are not DeafBlind!

Staff should know:

Never grab a DeafBlind person
Never touch or grab their mobility cane (also known as the “white cane”)
How to offer assistance respectfully and with care
How to communicate clearly and concisely
Basics of tactile sign or Protactile principles
How to guide only with consent
How to use various assistive communication apps to communicate via text

This should be standard training in every transit system, airport, rideshare service, and public building.

4. Stop relying on audio-only or visual-only announcements.

Announcements must be delivered in redundant, multi‑modal formats, not just sound, not just sight.

They should include:

Tactile alerts (vibration, tactile indicators, vibration based signals)
Text-based access (apps, screens, tablets)
Clear, consistent physical indicators (tactile floor markers, raised-tactile based signage, tactile gate numbers, tactile wayfinders)

Audio and visual announcements alone exclude DeafBlind travelers entirely.
Redundant communication ensures that everyone receives the same information, safely and autonomously.

5. Ensure consistent, predictable layouts.

DeafBlind travelers rely on memory, tactile cues, and spatial orientation.
When stations, gates, or entrances change or is under construction without warning, it creates unnecessary risk.

Consistency is crucial.

6. Build environments that reduce guesswork.

This includes:

Clear tactile paths
Predictable door locations
Predictable platform and gate locations
Consistent placement of scanners and kiosks that are tactile based
Tactile markers at platform edges
A barricade along the platform that comes up and down
Tactile indicators for bus bays and gate numbers