When I was cleaning out my dorm room a few years ago, I found four identical-looking bronze keys and had no idea what they unlocked. While I was able to figure out the purpose of one key, the purpose of the other three keys remains a mystery to this day. One of the ways I have kept situations like this from happening again is by adapting keys for vision loss so that I would be able to tell apart the various keys in my purse— here are my favorite tips and strategies for adapting keys for low vision and blind users that I have used in my own life and when sharing recommendations with others as an assistive technology specialist.
Use bright colors or tactile dots to tell keys apart
When my friends gave me a spare house key, they asked if I wanted to get any particular pattern or color so that it would be easier for me to find. I chose to get a key that was a different color than anything else I owned so that way it wouldn’t blend in on a surface, and I could easily spot it on a key ring. Another option is to paint the tops of keys with brightly colored nail polish (note that this may take several coats) or purchase silicon key covers that can be labeled or that have different colors/textures.
I don’t have specific colors to recommend that are universally considered the best colors for low vision, as colorblindness and contrast deficiencies can play a role in how someone perceives color, not to mention subjective preferences that people have for colors in general. I personally avoid white, brown, dark gray, and black colors and patterns as much as I can because these are the colors of common furniture and other surfaces I encounter.
Related links
- High Contrast and Low Vision
- How To Create High Resolution Images For Users With Low Vision
- How To Create Tactile Images With Everyday Objects
Use a key turning aid
I received a 3D printed key turning aid at an assistive technology conference a few years back and it makes it easier to open doors and locate keys with low vision. While this makes it difficult to fit a key in a small pants pocket, it’s a lot easier than trying to rotate a small key in a lock, especially for someone with unsteady hands. This would be especially helpful for unlocking a mailbox and ensuring that keys don’t accidentally get left behind.
Related links
- 3D Printable Key adapter for disabled by Luca Parmegiani (myminifactory.com)
- Attending The ATIA Conference With Low Vision
- College Mailrooms and Low Vision
Hang keys on an easy-to-identify keychain
One of the other strategies I recommend for organizing keys with vision loss is to hang keys on an easy-to-identify keychain. This can include keychains with a unique color, texture, or other helpful information that can help the user to find it in a bag or on a table. I recommend choosing a color or texture that will pop against a lot of surfaces— there are few things more frustrating than having a set of keys or a keychain that seems to blend into a table or other surfaces.
I’m linking a personalized braille keychain that I purchased on Etsy for less than $10 USD for a friend’s birthday that I have since re-purchased for many other friends since it incorporates saturated colors and tactile braille. In the case of the birthday gift, I chose a bright orange because it was the person’s favorite color, and because they would also frequently ask me to help them find their keys!
Related links
- Braille keychain from BlueTurtleCrafts on Etsy
- Free Braille Art and Tactile Image Libraries: World Braille Day 2024
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Covers and Cases
- Choosing A Backpack With Low Vision
Store keys in an easy-to-find location with a visual landmark
In my dorm room, I would store my key underneath a picture or other easy to see item so that way I could easily hang them back up and know where to find them. It is much easier for me to look for a larger picture or color that stands out compared to the rest of the wall, instead of trying to find a small key hook, so this solution worked well for me. Using brightly colored storage containers is another option as well.
Related links
- How I Decorate My Dorm Room With Low Vision
- Dorm Room Disability Hacks For Chronically Ill Students
- Tips For Keeping A Dorm Room Clean With Chronic Illness
- Organizing Hanging Storage With Vision Loss
- How I Set Up My College Desk With Low Vision
Keep access cards on a lanyard or similar item
I store my dorm room access card on a lanyard, though I don’t necessarily wear my lanyard constantly— sometimes I put it in my backpack or purse instead. Storing my dorm room access card in my lanyard allows me to quickly grab my key on the way out, which is especially helpful when the fire alarm is going off.
For access cards related to my job, I would store them in the back pockets of my lanyard, or use other tools such as retractable ID badge holders to keep my cards organized. I do not do anything to make my cards easier to distinguish, as it is against policy to modify access cards in any way, including adding labels or poking holes.
Related links
- What If I Lock Myself Out Of My Dorm?
- What’s In My Backpack: Commuting To Satellite Campus
- Dealing With Dorm Fire Alarms: College O&M
- Learning To Navigate My Internship Building: PM Intern With Low Vision
Add washi tape to the edge of keys
When I was living in a hotel as part of internship housing, I was proud that I never locked myself out of my room all summer. One strategy that really helped was adding a strip of washi tape to the edge of the card so that it would not blend in with a white surface, which also works for covering the tops of keys. Washi tape can also be used to outline locks, which is a useful strategy for those with CVI.
Washi tape is a type of thin paper masking tape with a light adhesive, which can be applied to many surfaces without leaving a sticky residue. Washi tape is available in several colors and patterns and usually has a matte surface, making it a fun and easy way to decorate items. I usually find it on the craft aisle at stores like Target or online.
Related links
- Hotel Familiarization and Low Vision
- Apple Pencil Customizations For Writing With Low Vision
- How I Decorate A Bedroom For CVI
If possible, add tactile dots to locks
One of my friends who has no usable vision was having trouble with using a sensor locking mechanism because it was flat against the door/drawer and not easy to distinguish by touch. After receiving permission, we decided to add a tactile dot so that they would be able to feel for the dot and know where the lock/sensor was. Since then, I have used the same system to help make it easier for people to know where to swipe a card or type in a number if there were no other tactile labels available. Tactile dots can also be a helpful tool for helping users find light switches and other everyday items.
Related links
- Lighting And Low Vision
- Dorm Room Disability Hacks For Chronically Ill Students
- Low Vision Assistive Technology For The Bathroom
- Assistive Technology and Dressing Aids For Low Vision
Other ideas for adapting keys for vision loss
- I used a key to open my locker in middle school and high school, which was different from the combination locks that other students had. Learn more in School Lockers and Low Vision
- Use a Bluetooth key chain to keep track of keys with a cell phone, such as an AirTag. I don’t personally own one of these, but a lot of my friends with low vision use them to keep track of easily misplaced objects.
- Another option for storing keys is a magnetic key organizer, which can be helpful for storing multiple keys. I still recommend having some way of distinguishing or labeling the keys with color and/or texture to help with identification.
Published April 18, 2020. Updated June 2025