WRITING IMPLEMENTS

When Vision is diminished, writing implements must be chosen with regard to:

• Permanence of ink or lead
• Letter, word or writing size desired.
• Size of Point
• Shape of Point
• Durability of Point (felt tips)
• Color of ink

PERMANENCE:

Erasable Pencils

• Asset – Using an erasable, writing may be corrected. Pencils are numbered to designate softness of lead. They should be chosen by number for desired darkness.
• Liability: The darkest, widest pencil leads are unfortunately prone to smudging.

Erasable Ball Point:

• Asset: can be erased as mistakes are recognized (either by “feeling” it as the mistake happens, or by seeing the mistake) but erasures must be made when ball point ink is fresh, i.e. before it dries.
• Liability: documents should not be signed with this type of pen, as alterations can be made by others.

Water based ink

• Asset: It usually does not bleed through paper onto the next page or the table top and washes off easily if spilled.
• Liability: often gets on fingers, and it may not make as intense a line.

Permanent ink

• Asset: Intensity is a characteristic of permanent ink. Permanent magic markers are better for freezer items because they won’t run.
• Liability: Permanent Ink may bleed through the page, and stay on one’s hands.

SIZE OF LETTER, WORD OR WRITING DESIRED.

In order for writing of any sort to be legible, there must be ample white space between each letter, and each line in order for a word to be able to be discerned.

For Example,

• Tree
• TREE
• T R E E
• T  R  E  E

Tree requires a particular point width, and contrasting white space for clarity. If, due to one’s limited vision, one has to enlarge a word to the size of D. T R E E , the size of the word must therefore be enlarged to allow adequate white space between letters, words, and lines for clarity.

The Reverse is true for words written with a fine point, also too much white space lessens clarity. One primary consideration here is to decide if the writing must communicate information to the visually impaired person, or if it is to communicate a message to a person with normal sight. If the latter is the case, a smaller size point may be chosen in order to make use of lifelong writing habits and skills. If material must be monitored by both, then the larger size point (and resultant scale of work must be selected.

Size of Letter-Don’t underestimate computer letters can be read easily from 18 point up to 26 or more. Bold settings in Ariel are suggested although Time Roman is OK. Test low-vision clients to see what they read best. If no computer exists, a 20/20 pen works well on lined paper

POINT WIDTH IS THEREFORE DECIDED BY:

• The above considerations of size and scale required for pen width:
• Different writing guides may be better matched with certain writing guides
• The size of writing must sometimes match the task. For example, going back to our examples above, larger may not be the best choice for check writing.

Shape of Point

• Chisel shaped points, such as used in calligraphy, give a sharp, crisp defined line. But the pen must be held at a particular angle for desired results and may require visual monitoring.
• Beveled or angled edge points, shaped as the marks-a-lot may give a crisp (although wide line). They also gives tactual feedback as to proper writing angle as the writing edge drags on the page.
• Cone Shaped points may give a finer line when held upright and a wider line when held more horizontal to the page.

DURABILITY OF POINT (FELT TIPS)

Felt Tip Writers such as the Papermate, Sanford, Sharpie, and Sanford 20/20 have a felt tip which extends beyond the throat of the pen. In time and with pressure these points may get blunted or even bent, altering the size and definition (Crispness) of each line. Many of the pens which do not have a supportive “throat” around them have advantages which outweigh their shortened life span due to wear.

COLOR OF INK

Different Colors may be more or less visible to persons with certain visual conditions. Trial and Error should be used to determine not only which color is the most effective but after the color is chosen, which manufacturer makes the most effective size line.