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  • a line of textured paving on the footpath.

  • Do you know what it means?

  • Thistles.

  • Ken.

  • He's making around the world trip, and he's seen this kind of paving in many countries, especially on sidewalks and train station platforms.

  • Ken's country doesn't have it, and he started wondering what it means.

  • Designed to help visually impaired pedestrians get around.

  • The paving is made of tactile tiles.

  • There are two types.

  • One is a directional guide, the other ones of possible danger.

  • Nearby, the tiles are easily identified with a cane or by how they feel under your feet.

  • Such a simple idea.

  • With such powerful benefits, Ken is impressed.

  • Who invented these titles?

  • It all started in Japan.

  • Seiichi Miyake, Ah, hotel owner in Okayama City, had a close friend who was visually impaired.

  • He developed these tiles to keep his friend safe on the streets.

  • Mhm, 1967 Miyake installed the world's first tactile tiles along a busy road near the Okayama School for the blind and visually impaired.

  • Miyake then donated his own funds to help other communities around Japan install the tiles.

  • The government recognized the value of his invention, and from 1973 began installing the blocks nationwide, and in 2001 they received Japanese industrial standard certification.

  • Ken is amazed and how one man achieved so much good.

  • But our story doesn't end there.

  • Miyake was inspired by Braille, which is called 10 GY in Japanese.

  • But Braille is difficult to learn, and each language has its own version.

  • Miyake's tiles, on the other hand, are a universal design that anyone can quickly understand.

  • Worldwide, there are around 300 million visually impaired people.

  • No wonder other countries quickly adopted.

  • This highly effective Japanese invention can remember seeing these tiles as he traveled through countries as varied as China, South Korea, Australia and the U.

  • S.

  • A.

  • Remember never to obstruct the tiles by standing on them or leaving obstacles there.

  • And if you ever see a visually impaired person headed toward danger, be sure to call out and warn them a system of simple symbols and standardized rules that's improved accessibility for people with visual disabilities worldwide.

a line of textured paving on the footpath.

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