making the tags out of fabric, and ensuring there are multiple
ways for people to read them with their hands.
At first, Jakayla says, she only incorporated braille in her
own company’s
tags. Then her aunt
explained that she
doesn’t know braille
very well herself, and
Jakayla’s research
led to realization
that the majority of
people with visual
impairments don’t
know how to read
braille.
Now her company’s
tags use braille, raised
lettering and symbols
to provide its wearers
with more ways
to read what they’re wearing – or, as the company’s name
indicates, feel the color.
“My aunt gave me a lot of input on the tags, and I also
get to work with the staff at Lighthouse for the Blind, the
majority of whom are visually impaired themselves,” Jakayla
explained. “After I researched it, I learned that most metal
tags only incorporate braille, yet only 8 percent of those
who are visually impaired can read braille. That presented
an opening where I could create a product that could really
help someone’s qualify
of life.”
Now Jakayla spends
many of her days
balancing school
and her company
– or, to put it as the
entrepreneur pointed
out, “Most businesses
are open when I’m
in school.” To help
with all the necessary
tasks, Jakayla recruited
classmates to be part
of her business, and
Junior Achievement has
provided a lawyer to work with her to obtain a patent.
Currently, Feel the Color’s clothing tags can be sewn or
ironed on, but Jakayla is hoping to enter into partnership
with clothing companies so they are already on clothing
at stores.
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