When I was living in a college dorm, I honestly didn’t put much thought into how I would organize or identify cords for charging technology, connecting peripheral devices to my computer, or arranging items that are connected to a surge protector- I sort of just plugged everything into wherever it fit and accepted that it would take me a while to locate cords. One of my friends noticed this when visiting one day, and announced they would not be leaving until I learned how to organize and identify cords for low vision and learn to locate my chargers and USB cables independently, and an hour later my cords and cables were much more organized than before.
I’ve continued to use these strategies they shared with me so many years ago with other visually impaired people that I work with as well as in my own space, and it’s made a huge difference with helping me avoid creating a giant pile of difficult-to-recognize cables. Here are my tips for how to organize and identify cords for low vision users, perfect for chargers, USB cables, and keeping track of technology.
First, make sure all cords are in working order
Before taking the time to label and organize cords, inspect all of the different cables and chargers to ensure they are still in working order. Get rid of “temperamental” cables that only work when they are plugged in at a certain angle, cables with frayed edges, headphones or devices that stopped working months ago, or store items that are rarely used. I found out when I went to inspect my computer that I had a random cable that didn’t connect to anything taking up space, and a USB mouse hub for a mouse that had broken the previous year, so I was happy to get rid of these things and reduce visual clutter! With these slots freed up, I was able to connect an additional webcam that I use for recordings and move my printer/scanner cable to a more convenient location.
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CHOOSE CORDS WITH UNIQUE TEXTURES AND/OR COLORS
One time when I was traveling, I thought I had packed a cable for my iPad and a cable for my phone, but discovered when I had arrived that I actually had grabbed two iPad cables and zero phone cables. Since they were the same color and I was rushing to pack things in my backpack, I hadn’t realized that I had grabbed the wrong cable. One strategy that helps prevent this from happening is having different textures and colors for my most-used electronics whenever possible. I purchased a new phone cable for the trip that had a gray weave texture, and used an iPad charger that was white and blue with a smoother texture, so I could identify them either by touch or by color. Vibrant-colored chargers can also “pop” against surfaces so they are easier to locate.
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TRY TO AVOID HAVING CORDS THAT BLEND INTO THE FLOOR OR WALL
Whenever possible, I try to avoid having solid black or solid white chargers or cables because they are more likely to blend into my dark colored backpack or floor, or my white colored nightstand/furniture. This can make them more difficult to locate or more likely to be accidentally broken if I don’t see them resting on something. If I do have to bring a charger or cable in my backpack, I try to bring a white or light colored one because it is easier to locate in the dark interior or when it is plugged in to the dark-colored floor or table outlets in hotels or computer labs.
Related links
- How I Decorate My Dorm Room With Low Vision
- Hotel Familiarization and Low Vision
- Computer Lab Accommodations For Low Vision Students
Place colored tape around cords
Since I can’t always choose my cable colors, placing different colored washi tape around the ends of cords and chargers makes it easier to locate the end of a cable and identify which devices they are connected to. I try to color-code these based on features of the devices- for example, the cord for my Amazon Echo Dot had bright teal tape on the end, while the cord for my keyboard had bright yellow tape since my keyboard had yellow keys.
Related links
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Smart Speakers
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Keyboards
Alternatively, label items with bread clips
Bread clips, bread tags or sandwich bag ties are flat, plastic clips that can fit around many types of cords and cables, with options for multiple colors. For people who use talking labeling or RFID labeling systems to identify items, a bread clip can also serve as a flat surface for placing smaller stickers that can be recognized with a labeling tool.
Related links
- Assistive Technology and Dressing Aids For Low Vision
- How To Create Tactile Images With Everyday Objects
Add tactile labels
I don’t like adding plastic tactile dots like Bump Dots to chargers because of the risk of them over-heating or melting. For one of my friends that wanted tactile labels, they purchased “Cable Labels” that are designed to wrap around a cable, and then someone used a Hi-Mark tactile pen to label them with designs or letters that my friend requested, such as P for phone or a drawing of a sun for the lamp.
Create a central charging space
I set up two surge protectors for my space, one with the chargers for my portable devices and one for computer-related items. I alternate the charging cable colors when possible to aid with identification and ensure that I can reach cables easily and independently wherever they are located. Extension cords were banned from my dorm and at my tech internship due to fire hazards, so having items in a central location was much easier than having them in multiple outlets around the room.
Keep cables from sliding with binder clips
This strategy was a game changer for desk cable management with low vision! Clipping a binder clip to my desk and threading a single charger or cable through the clip handle can help keep cords in place so they are less likely to slide around or get tangled. This is also helpful for TVs and computer monitors that have multiple cables connecting everything, as it helps to keep them separated from each other.
Take a picture or make a list of where things are plugged in
Before troubleshooting a computer or unplugging a bunch of things, it helps to take a photo of what everything looks like while it is plugged in to ensure everything gets reconnected correctly- I recommend taking a picture with a flash when possible because it can also show the reflection of empty ports. Another option is to draw a diagram or make a list of where items are plugged in, such as the order that items are connected on a surge protector. When labeling a surge protector diagram, I listed 0 as the on/off button, 1 as the port right next to it and what was plugged in, etc.
Related links
- How I Use My Phone As Assistive Technology In Class
- How To Create Accessible Diagrams For Low Vision
Use cord wraps or hair ties to prevent tangles
My mom purchased cable wraps in bright colors that can help tie up loose cords and make them easier to store, which has been really helpful. Hair ties are another colorful solution that can be used to store cords when not in use, and many have different textures as well. I would store cables that I wasn’t using wrapped with a cord wrap and use small dust bags to store individual cords.
Other tips for organizing cords with low vision
- Learn to identify cords by feeling the ends of different types, such as a USB 2.0, USB-C, microUSB, laptop charger, and chargers for assistive technology. This is another strategy that can help with identifying cords with low vision
- Consider purchasing a USB hub for peripheral devices such as headphones, microphones, webcams/video magnifiers, keyboard, or other wired devices. This is something I mention in my guides Questions To Ask When Choosing A Laptop For College and Questions To Ask When Choosing A Desktop Computer For College
- Need help choosing a new phone, tablet, or computer? Read Mainstream Technology Archives | Veronica With Four Eyes (veroniiiica.com)
Published November 26, 2019. Updated June 2024