Braille Embosser Permits Blind To Feel Denomination Easy-To-Use Device Solves Problem Faced By Visually Impaired People

As Walter Klavans gradually lost his eyesight over a period of 40 years, he had to learn how to cope to stay independent.

Like most visually impaired people, Klavans folded his money different ways to keep track of the various bills.

Now, thanks to an invention by a nephew in Orlando, Klavans embosses his money with small, raised dots from the braille numerical system.

When he pulls a bill out of his wallet, Klavans can immediately feel whether it is a $1 bill, $5, $10 or $20.

The retiree no longer worries about his money coming unfolded or getting mixed up when he makes small purchases.

“This is a tremendous convenience,” said Klavans, president of the Citrus County chapter of the National Federation of the Blind.

The small, hand-held embosser is about the size of a large stapler. Bills are placed into the mechanical device and the handle is compressed like a stapler to imprint the denomination.

Metal die plates with the braille symbols are inserted and removed as needed to mark the different bills.

The inventor, Michael Lawrence, said he came up with the idea and patented the Braille Mark Money Marker last year after seeing his uncle’s uncertainty in handling money in a convenience store, restaurant or post office.

“Some people fold their money different ways to try to keep track, and some people put their money in different parts of the their wallet. I thought there must be a better way,” Lawrence said.

In his research, Lawrence found that there were a number of mechanical money scanners - bills are inserted and the denomination is “read” - but they are expensive, typically $300 or more. Most are used commercially, such as by visually impaired merchants.

After trial-and-error, Lawrence crafted his device and formed a limited partnership with a business associate in New York to help handle sales and marketing.

It costs $29.95 and can be ordered through a toll-free telemarketing service. Only a handful have been sold since they went on the market early this year. But Lawrence said he feels that, by demonstrating the device at conventions for the visually impaired, sales will increase despite the lack of a marketing budget.

Mark Maurer, president of the National Federation of the Blind, said the braille embosser may be helpful for some, but for others it might be too time consuming to use often.

“For some people it might be OK, but I don’t want to take the time. I have a bill identifier and I don’t even use that,” Maurer said.

Klavans said the embossing device is easy to use and requires only a few minutes to imprint a week’s worth of spending money.

A sighted person still is necessary to help identify the bills before they are embossed. “There’s no way to get around that,” Klavans said.

But Lawrence said he envisions a day when there are so many of his braille markers in use that embossed money will be circulating in large numbers. The raised dots should remain noticeable to braille readers for months or years.

“It’s something to give them just a little edge, a little more independence in their lives,” Lawrence said.

The Braille Mark Money Marker can be ordered by calling 1-800-345-6667.