We replaced the fixed, raised dots that make up the braille signage with very small ball-bearings that release hand sanitizer when a finger rolls over them. This simple, time-tested mechanical process is similar to the way a ball-point pen works to release ink. We plan on making “The Clean Braille” available as an open source project, so that anyone has the ability to produce the signs correctly, without the need to pay for intellectual property rights. The Clean Braille is a novel evolution of traditional braille signage.

We conceived of the idea in late 2016 and worked with a design firm to have the first units ready to pilot in the beginning of February 2017. We engaged the Perkins school for the Blind to replace some of their braille signage with The Clean Braille prototypes on February 13th and the pilot is currently still ongoing. On March 14th we engaged the school for the blind at the JSS International School in Dubai and the pilot is currently still ongoing. And finally we installed several Clean Braille signs in the Fundação Dorina Nowill para Cegos, A school for the blind in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This pilot is also currently still ongoing.

Once we have gathered enough data from our pilot program, we will activate the open source component of our website — www.thecleanbraille.com — giving everyone the information they need to accurately create Clean Braille signs.

Based on the initial response of our pilot program and conversations with parents, pediatric healthcare providers and professionals who design and implement programs for children who are visually impaired, we believe this technology has the potential to radically transform standard braille signage in public spaces and firmly establish Lifebuoy® as the brand that intends to make clean hands a ubiquitous and easy achieved part of daily life for everyone, regardless of physical impairments or challenges. We anticipate that the success generated through this grassroots initiative will produce powerful promotional assets that Lifebuoy® will be able to leverage as a unique emotional differentiator that truly separates it from the competition, despite functional similarities of instant hand-sanitizing products.

Working with the Global Unilever Lifebuoy Handwashing Behavior Change Programme, the aim is to provide clean braille signs to schools for the blind around the world.