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Organizing Your Workshop Area

Good organization, as always, is the key! In many cases, good organization can also reduce the need for extensive labeling and marking of your workshop items. If you need tips for general household organization, see Household Organization and Home Modifications.

Use a system that is comfortable for you and easy to remember. Some suggestions for organizing your workshop materials include:

  • Separate your tools according to type and always store your tools in a designated location.
  • Organize your tools, such as screwdriver sets or wrenches, by mounting them on pegboards in order by size.
  • Use multi-drawer storage containers (color-coded if you have low vision), coffee cans, baby food jars, and plastic tubs to separate different-sized nails, screws, nuts, bolts, and other small items.
  • Use a carpenter’s apron or a tool belt to hold tools and parts needed to accomplish a specific job or task.
  • Use magnetic trays to hold screws and bolts in place while you’re working.
  • Keep a magnet in your toolbox to locate misplaced screws or metal items.

Making Labels from Everyday Materials

You can identify the contents of your stored items by marking them in any of the following ways:

  • Create tactual labels for bolts, nails, or screws in individual containers by gluing one of each item to the outside of the container or attaching the item to the container with a rubber band. For additional tips about working with glue, see Adaptations for Using Glue with Vision Loss.
  • Place a rubber band around a container of nails to differentiate it from a container of screws, or place a different number of rubber bands around each different container.
  • Tie different-textured ribbons around the neck or opening of each container.
  • Use a black wide-tip marker, a laundry marker, or a felt-tip pen to write in large, bold letters on plain white 3″ x 5″ index cards. Use these labels to differentiate supplies that are stored in similar containers. Attach each card to the appropriate container with a rubber band, as illustrated below:
  • Use brightly colored electrical or plastic tape, pipe cleaners, Velcro, fabric or craft paint, or velour pads/furniture protectors to place markers on containers.

Specialty Labeling Products

There are also many specialty labeling products for people who are blind or have low vision. You can learn more about obtaining the following products in Find Labeling Products.

a braille labeler, bump dots, tactile pen
  • Braille Labeler: Embosses braille on 3/8″ or 1/2″ labeling tape. The upper rim of the dial is in braille; the lower rim has the standard print alphabet.
  • Bump Dots: Black, orange, and clear raised plastic dots with adhesive backing.
  • Hi-Mark Tactile Pen: A three-dimensional plastic liquid that makes raised lines, dots and shapes. You can also use it to mark the handles of your frequently-used tools.
  • Spot ‘n Line Pen: A three-dimensional plastic liquid that makes raised lines, dots and shapes. You can also use it to mark the handles of your frequently-used tools.
  • Maxi-Marks: Black plastic dots and slashes with adhesive backing.
  • Touch Dots: Black, white, red, yellow, and orange raised foam dots with adhesive backing.
  • Touch-To-See Labels: Braille and tactile adhesive labels. Each reusable label contains a raised letter or number with corresponding braille.
  • VOXCOM III Voice Labeling System: Record audio talk labels and messages by depressing a button and inserting a card into the unit. The card attaches to containers and household items.

Additional Resources for Labeling