Spain Fujitsu and Jerónimo Martins deploy pioneering Braille labelling solution

Fujitsu Services announced the launching, in partnership with the Jerónimo Martins Group, of a pioneering Braille labelling solution introduced last December. Through the implementation of this solution the Jerónimo Martins Group provides information to blind and partly sighted shoppers about products on sale at its shops, namely products’ descriptions and their “best by” (expiration) dates; this will contribute to promote accessibility and better integration of such consumers in daily life.

During the first stage of deployment more than 100 shops of the Group will receive the necessary equipment for the production of Braille labels. Simultaneously, the relevant shop teams will be trained so as to provide those shoppers with personalized and suitable services - in other words, a service of excellence.

The new application for the printing of Braille labels, developed by Fujitsu in partnership with UET (Unidade de Equipamentos Tiflotécnicos) allows blind and partially sighted people the access to information such as the description of the product, main characteristics and expiration data. The Fujitsu solution also allows the printing of the labels in a typical ink printer, so that shoppers unable to read Braille can understand the contents of the Braille labels.

The new solution follows the publication of Law 33/2008, in “Diário da República” of the 22nd July, 2008, which establishes measures to promote accessibility to information pertaining to certain products that may be bought by persons with visual deficiencies. According to the new legislation, retail areas must adopt Braille labelling solutions through the installation of equipments that will provide such shoppers with the necessary Braille information concerning the products on sale, namely the description of the article and their “best by” (expiration) date. Furthermore, to better serve and inform these costumers, retailers must also invest in the adequate training of their shops’ staff to guarantee a personalized help service that allows blind people the access to the products available.