November 21, 2014 - 9:35 AM
CALGARY - Garbage day is becoming a little bit easier for Calgary residents with vision loss.
The city is providing braille plaques so that people who read the raised dots can tell the difference between their garbage and recycling carts.
The plaques also carry a large raised letter G or R, in high contrast, to help the visually impaired.
City officials say there will be no charge for those who need the plaques installed on their bins.
Program co-ordinator Philippa Wagner says it's a way to ensure waste material gets into the proper blue or black bin.
She says it also allows visually impaired Calgarians to do one more task at home that they may not have been able to before.
"There are many vision problems to accommodate for and our new plaques aim to meet all those needs," Wagner said in a release Friday.
Kelly Nadeau is one of the first Calgarians to receive the plaques.
"Before I received my plaques, I would have to remember what the shape and lids of each of my carts looked like," Nadeau said.
"Now I can use the raised letter to check my garbage and recycling. It may seem like a small change, but it's all about giving people options to maintain their independence."
Citizens who would benefit from the plaques are asked to contact the city.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014