Devices

Rules and Measures

The majority of rules for blind and partially sighted people incorporate tactual markings or provide audible readings. Few of the rules and measures are capable of precise measurement - they are often designed for educational purposes. The basic types are:

Fixed rules, usually about 300mm long
Folding rules as used by carpenters
Flexible metal rule
Tape measures as used by dressmakers

American Printing House for the Blind
1839 Frankfort Avenue, PO Box 6085, Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085, USA.
Tel: +1 502 895 2405
Fax: +1 502 899 2274
Email: info@aph.com
Web: www.aph.org/

1-Foot Braille Ruler
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This 1 foot braille ruler is 38mm wide and 6mm thick, tapering to 4mm at the reading edge. A metal caliper slide, which aids in accurate measurement, is included with each ruler. This ruler contains both metric and imperial markings, making it possible to compare the two systems. On the metric edge raised lines indicate centimeter and half-centimeter intervals. Braille numbers identify 2- centimeter increments. An imperial measurement scale appears on the opposite side of the ruler. This scale has raised lines every 1/4 inch and braille numbers at each inch marker.
Ref: 1-03100-00
Price: $8.00
Last updated: 24/08/2006

18 Inch Flexible Braille / Large Print Ruler
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This flexible plastic ruler allows tactual and visual measurement. It has raised lines in 5mm increments. It is white with raised black lines with numbers in braille and large print. It is sold in packages of 5.
Ref: 1-03050-00
Price: $10.00
Last updated: 07/02/2008

30-Centimetre Flexible Ruler
This flexible rulers allows tactual and visual measurement of both flat and curved surfaces. This unique ruler, made of a flexible white plastic, indicates centimeters with raised black lines. Even numbered marks are labeled in both braille and large print. It is sold in packages of 5.
Ref: 1-03031-00
Price: $9.00
Last updated: 07/02/2008

Braille / Print Protractor
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Bold large type numbers and braille dots mark the degrees along the half circle of this 180 degree protractor. Two braille dots mark 10 degree increments, while a single braille dot marks the 5 degree increments. An unusual feature of the protractor is the "wand." This is a long, flat piece which is pointed at one end and anchored on a pivot at the center of the protractor. When the pointed end of the wand is aligned with a certain degree measurement, the corresponding angle is created by the wand and the bottom edge of the protractor. Includes print and braille instructions.
Ref: 1-04115-00
Price: $11.00
Last updated: 07/02/2008

Large Print / Braille Toss-Away Ruler
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This ruler, with markings in both large print and braille, is designed to be used in the classroom or in testing and assessment situations where an inexpensive user-friendly measuring device is needed. These 7-inch rulers are marked with centimeters and inches and printed/embossed on heavy paper with high contrast numbers. They are packaged in sets of 24 and come in 3 assorted bright colors.
These rulers are also available in a version with large print only.
Ref: 1-03010-00 (Large Print / Braille Version)
Price: $16.00
Ref: 1-03011-00 (Large Print Only Version)
Price: $10.00
Last updated: 07/02/2008

Metrestick
This wooden 1-meter measuring aid identifies centimeter and decimeters with molded, tactile markings. Centimeters are displayed by thin raised lines, with every other increment identified in braille. Decimeters are marked in thick raised lines and in braille.
Ref: 1-03000-00
Price: $14.00
Last updated: 07/02/2008

Stick-On Tactile Ruler
Plastic rules, one foot long and ½ inch wide, (30.5 x 1.3cm) that you can bond to sewing machines, band saws, drawing boards, etc. Raised lines indicate divisions down to 1/8 inch (3mm). Recommended age is 8 years and older. Package of five.
Ref: 1-03081-01
Price: $6.00
Last updated: 07/02/2008

CareTec
Studenbastei 1, A-1010 Vienna, Austria.
Tel: +431 513 80 81 0
Fax: +431 513 80 81 9
Email: office@caretec.at
Web: www.caretec.at

ProLevel Acoustic Spirit Level
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This electronic level with integrated audio signal indicates a level by emitting a steady audible tone. Requires a 9v battery.
Price: €49.95
Last updated: 31/01/2008

Tactile Tape Measure
Designed to indicate measurements by feel. The tape is marked by tactile eyelets.
Length: 1500mm
Price: €19.95
Last updated: 31/01/2008

Vox-Tape
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Slim, handy and solidly finsihed talking tape measure. Its memory function can add new values up to a total of 37.3 miles. The push of a single button allows even measurements including the width of the case, thus facilitating measurements at places which are difficult to access. Can be used in either the metric or Anglo-American system. The tape end can be easily accessed, the measuring length of the tape is 5 meters (16 feet). The tape retracts automatically at the press of a button. Equipped with a a protective pouch and a clip so can be attached to a belt. Easy access battery compartment. Automatic switch-off function. Requires 1 AA battery.
Length: 95mm Width: 75mm Depth: 33mm
Weight: 0.23kg
Price: €99.00
Last updated: 31/01/2008

Cobolt Systems Ltd
The Old Mill House, Mill Road, Reedham, Norwich, Norfolk NR13 3TL, UK.
Tel: +44 1493 700172
Fax: +44 1493 701037
Email: cobolt@compuserve.com
Web: www.cobolt.co.uk

Talking Tape Measure
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A 16ft (5 metre) tape measure with a resolution of 1mm - 1/16" The measurement is spoken automatically in a clear English voice. A press of a button adds the width of the case if required Measurements can be added to memory to enable total measurements up to 999.99 metres. The memory is retained when the unit is switched off. The tape can be set to zero at any position. Readings can be taken in feet/inches, metres, centimetres, or millimetres and can be converted at the touch of a button. Powered by standard PP3 9V alkaline battery.
Price: £41.95 (with batteries)
Last updated: 31/01/2008

Howe Press of Perkins School for the Blind
175 North Beacon Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472, USA.
Tel: +1 617 924 3490
Fax: +1 617 926 2027
Email: Howepress@perkins.org
Web: www.perkins.org

9" Protractor
Metal protractor with cursor. Ruler embossed in inches. Displays angles from 1 to 190 degrees.
Price: $27.00
Last updated: 04/02/2008

23cm Protractor
Metal protractor with cursor. Ruler embossed in centimeters. Displays angles from 1 to 190 degrees.
Price: $27.00
Last updated: 04/02/2008

Ruler
Twelve inch (30.5cm) metal ruler with markings every ¼ inch (0.6cm).
Price: $7.00
Last updated: 04/02/2008

Independent Living Aids Inc
200 Robbins Lane, Jericho, New York 11753- 2341, USA.
Tel: +1 516 937 1848
Fax: +1 516 937 3906
Email: can-do@independentliving.com
Web: www.independentliving.com

25' Foot Tactile Tape Measure
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Holes mark every 6 inches on the tape measure and a 6 inch ruler is attached to the bottom of the tape measure. The attached ruler has raised lines at every 1/8 inch, and raised and Brailled numbers. To measure, the user pulls out the tape, determines the length on the tape measure by counting the number of holes and multiplying by 6 inches and adds the distance from the attached ruler.
Ref: #127530
Price: $29.95
Last updated: 04/02/2008

Low vision ruler
Black bold 11mm high numbers on a snow white background make this plastic ruler very easy to see.
Ref: #446189
Price: $1.95
Last updated: 04/02/2008

National Federation of the Blind
1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230, USA.
Tel: +1 410 659 9314
Fax: +1 410 685 5653
Email: nfb@nfb.org
Web: www.nfb.org

Braille Meterstick
A black plastic ruler with raised lines every centimeter with Braille every other centimeter and thick raised lines for decimeters.
Ref: AID57M
Price: $15.00
Last updated: 02/04/2008

Click Rule
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A 152mm tactile measuring device with three extensions (304mm each) with tactile markings every 12mm. Tighten screw for easy and accurate measurement.
Ref: AID01R
Price: $65.00
Last updated: 04/02/2008

Metal Folding Ruler
Imperial measurements. 12 inch aluminum ruler with tactile markings every 1/4 inch and 1 inch. Folds in half.
Ref: AID02R
Price: $6.00
Last updated: 04/02/2008

Metal Ruler
Imperial measurements. 12 inch aluminum ruler with tactile markings every 1/4 inch and 1 inch.
Ref: AID00R
Price: $6.00
Last updated: 04/02/2008

Rotomatic
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Imperial measurements. 6-inch device with three extensions (6, 12, and 18 inches) and a nut which moves on a threaded rod with threads that are 1/16 inch apart. 1/4 turn of the nut equals 1/64 inch measurement (also includes lock nut).
Ref: AID04R
Price: $50.00
Last updated: 04/02/2008

RNIB
105 Judd Street, London WC1H 9NE, UK.
UK Customer Services Tel: 0845 702 3153
UK Customer Services Email: cservices@rnib.org.uk
Overseas Customer Services Tel: +44 1733 37 5400
Overseas Customer Services Email: exports@rnib.org.uk
Online Shop: www.rnib.org.uk/shop

NB: Some of the RNIB products have two prices where they have been specifically designed or adapted for disabled people. The lower price excludes VAT and applies to blind and partially sighted people resident in the UK and exempt from paying VAT and to UK charities buying on their behalf. Where one price is displayed this applies to all customers and includes VAT of 17.5%.

There is a separate catalogue available for overseas customers. If you have any enquiries, please contact RNIB Exports Department on +44 1733 37 54 00.

Tactile Yellow Ruler
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20cm/30cm, yellow, shatter-proof plastic ruler with black markings. Measures accurately to within 0.5cm. Rulers have two different edges - straight and notched. Straight edge can be used for measuring and drawing. Notched edge designed to help place pins when creating charts and graphs or using a compass. Comes with non-slip pads on the back.
Length: 200mm Width: 32mm
Weight: 0.021kg
Ref: LT20 for 20cm rule
Price: £1.95; £2.29

Length: 300mm Width: 32mm
Weight: 0.034kg
Ref: LT21 for 30cm rule
Price: £1.95; £2.29
Last updated: 04/02/2008

Tactile Clear Ruler
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20cm/30cm, clear, shatter-proof plastic ruler with black markings. Measures accurately to within 0.5cm. Rulers have two different edges - straight and notched. Straight edge can be used for measuring and drawing. Notched edge designed to help place pins when creating charts and graphs or using a compass. Comes with non-slip pads on the back.
Length: 300mm
Ref: LC130
Price: £1.95; £2.29

Length: 200mm
Ref: LC131
Price: £1.95; £2.29
Last updated: 04/02/2008

Tactile Tape Measure (Imperial)
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Durable, 60" long. One eyelet marks every inch and half inch. Two eyelets mark every foot.
Ref: DH20
Price: £2.60; £3.05
Last updated: 04/02/2008

Tactile Tape Measure (Metric)
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Durable, 150cm long. One eyelet marks every centimetre. One large eyelet marks every 5 centimetres. Two eyelets mark every 10 centimetres.
Ref: DH19
Price: £2.60; £3.05
Last updated: 04/02/2008

Metre Stick
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Suitable for use by both blind and partially sighted people. Blue markings on a white background - complete with transparent tactile overlay. Markings every 10cm. Measurements can be made to within 1cm.
Length: 1000mm Width: 45mm
Weight: 0.229Kg
Ref: LT22
Price: £8.50; £9.99
Last updated: 04/02/2008