Last fall I met someone in class at Stanford University, a young mover-and-shaker who is likely to go very far in this world. But if he read this diary right now, he'd probably blush, because he's just that humble. You see, this is an individual who has come up against some pretty harsh circumstances: he is blind, and when I was taking Science, Technology, and Society classes with him he was receiving medical treatments. And yet, he is still attending one of the most competitive and prestigious universities in America, he's the first blind member on the Stanford Archery Team, and now I've learned that he's participating in a design startup that exemplifies his ideals of bringing usable, life-changing technologies to people in great need. May I introduce to you, 6dot Braille labeler: A sight for sore eyes!?
From the Kickstarter project page:
So, what's the matter? Just imagine reaching into your kitchen cupboard blindfolded and trying to grab the can of soup (no, not the can of dog food, silly!).
Enter 6dot. Elegant and easy-to-use (and some might even say sexy), the 6dot creates Braille labels at the simple touch of your fingertips. With the 6dot design, blind and sighted people of all ages and all experiences with Braille can easily create embossed sticky labels... in any language!
Range of Sight is a documentary about Matt Cooper, the first member of the Stanford Archery Team. It was the winner of Best Picture at the Stanford Film Festival 2011.
Range of Sight from Alex Simon on Vimeo.