Callipers are devices for measuring the internal or external measurements of objects such as the thickness of metal during construction tasks. For individuals who are vision impaired, reading measurements from traditional callipers can be time consuming and inaccurate. Digital read out units are available which plug into digital callipers (power of battery operated) which read out the measurements to the user with the push of a button and are generally volume adjustable. They have capacity for ear or head phone attachments to enable clear hearing of speech in a noisy workshop, with some models also allowing for printer attachment. These read out units can usually be transferred to other tools such as digital micrometers.
Workplace solutions and adjustments:
For individuals who are blind or vision impaired and working within a workshop requiring accurate measurement of materials, talking callipers may be of assistance in overcoming this barrier. Some options are also available with a printer if printed rather than audible measurements are more suitable. Other talking tools available include:
(Hawthorne 2007; Gabias 2003; Abledata 1999)