PyeongChang Paralympics Opens Friday: Tactile Medal Markers Up Close ♿

PyeongChang Paralympics open March 9. The medals follow the Hangeul-textured Olympic design but add Braille markers for rank — gold, silver, bronze each tactually distinct. Inclusive design as a feature, not afterthought.

Tactile Rank Markers Cost Nothing

Adding 1-3 raised dots to a medal die costs the factory nothing extra — the dots are etched into the master alongside the rest of the design. For any inclusive sport event (Special Olympics, school adaptive programs), specifying tactile rank markers from the start is free. The signal sent to recipients is enormous; the cost difference is zero.

Ribbon Texture Communicates Tier Too

Beyond the medal itself, paralympic ribbons carry tactile patterns — woven stripes, embossed edges, knotted accents — that communicate medal tier through touch alone. Standard satin works for sighted recipients; tactile-pattern ribbons work for everyone. Cost is comparable.