BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – An initiative involving blocks from Japan to assist the visually impaired move around more safely in public is being introduced in Barbados by the country’s Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs.

The Braille blocks, or Tenji blocks, are used in Japan to help visually impaired individuals move around safely. They provide tactile paving or textured ground surfaces and can be found on sidewalks, at train stations, and in places with public transit in Japan.

The Japanese blocks are designed to be detected by foot or with a cane and offer directional cues and warnings for those with limited vision.

Bajan Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey was moved to implement the initiative after visiting Japan in 2023.

During a courtesy call to Humphrey on Friday, Miyasaka Yusuke, resident ambassador of Japan to Barbados, revealed that the procedures to bring samples of the blocks have already begun.

“These blocks are now widely implemented, including in outside areas. Just yesterday, I was informed that your ministry has begun handling import procedures for these samples,” he said. “I understand that installing Braille blocks indoors is relatively simple and that the wider use can provide tremendous support for the mobility and independence of individuals with visual impairments.”

First Secretary Miura Shitau, who also attended the meeting, said: “The minister himself, when he visited Japan, observed that in the Japanese society we install them in many places for supporting the visually impaired,” the first secretary said.

“The president of the Japan Blind Judo Federation arranged the sample Braille block supply with a particular company in Japan. Now we are at the final stage, just before sending them out from Japan.”

Humphrey said this project fits into the island’s legislative agenda and its efforts to move towards greater inclusion, as evident in the bill passed in the Parliament of Barbados on the rights of persons with disabilities.

He said the blocks will make a difference to the quality of life of Barbadians who are visually impaired.

“If you know how to read the blocks, it basically assists you in being able to navigate the streets and to navigate buildings.”

He said training will be provided to persons on how to use the blocks “so that they could learn to read the blocks [and] know where the elevators are, where the doors are, and so on and so forth.”

Humphrey said, “Of course, this work is a practical kind of manifestation because this is what we have been hoping to do in the ministry.”