Katy Unveils First Outdoor Braille American Flag at Play Station All-Abilities Park
On Saturday, June 7, 2025, the City of Katy celebrated a milestone in accessibility and patriotism with the unveiling of the area’s first outdoor Braille American Flag, installed at the Play Station All-Abilities Park—affectionately known to locals as the “train park.” The new feature offers a fully tactile and educational experience for residents who are blind or visually impaired, making the symbol of American freedom more accessible to all.
This initiative was made possible through a powerful collaboration between the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Katy ISD educators, and the City of Katy Parks and Recreation Department. The unveiling ceremony, led by DAR members, underscored the city’s commitment to inclusive recreation and education.
“There was a young lady there, and when she reached out her hand and touched the flag that had the braille on it, just the look on her face was amazing, because she instantly recognized what that was,” shared Councilmember Chris Harris, capturing the emotional impact of the moment.
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Tactile Symbolism: How the Braille Flag Works
The bronze Flash Braille Flag installed at Katy City Park is more than a patriotic emblem—it’s a tool for tactile learning and a tribute to the visually impaired community. Designed by Randolph Cabral, President of the Kansas Braille Transcription Institute and son of a World War II blind veteran, the flag features a raised, touchable design that includes:
- Stars in the upper left corner arranged in nine alternating rows to represent the 50 states.
- Long smooth horizontal lines for red stripes, each ending with Braille dots (4, 5, 6 + "r").
- Textured raised lines in between, representing white stripes, marked with Braille (4, 5, 9, 6 + "w").
- The Pledge of Allegiance embossed in standard English literary Braille across the smooth red stripes.
This design not only aids visually impaired individuals in understanding the flag’s layout but also serves as an educational aid in teaching the sighted how those with vision loss experience national symbols.
National Origins, Local Impact
The tactile American flag has a prestigious history. In 2008, following a joint effort by the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), KBTI, and U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt, the U.S. Congress authorized a Braille Flag Monument at Arlington National Cemetery. Since then, thousands of these flags have been shared across the country—in schools, parks, veterans hospitals, and civic buildings.
Mayor Dusty Thiele joins community leaders at the unveiling of the Braille American Flag at Katy’s Play Station Now, with Katy’s installation, this meaningful legacy has been brought home to a local community that values inclusivity. The decision to install the tactile flag at the Play Station All-Abilities Park was especially fitting, as the park itself is a regional model of inclusive design for children and families of all physical and cognitive abilities.
Community Leaders Championing Accessibility
The project’s realization reflects months of effort and advocacy. Katy ISD teachers, who helped champion the idea and shepherd it through planning, joined forces with the local DAR chapter and city officials to bring it to life.
The Daughters of the American Revolution, a nonprofit women’s organization dedicated to patriotism, historic preservation, and education, has long supported initiatives that honor veterans and promote civic engagement. Their leadership in this installation highlights their continued role in shaping community consciousness and accessibility.
As Councilmember Chris Harris noted during the ceremony, the installation of the braille flag was about more than symbolic recognition: “It was a moment of pure connection, a reminder that accessibility is a bridge to dignity and pride for every resident.”
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Honoring All Abilities, Honoring All Americans
With more than 30 million Americans living with blindness or low vision, the installation in Katy is a powerful act of inclusion. The flag stands not only as a tribute to those who served but as a functional and respectful acknowledgment of every individual’s right to experience and understand national identity.
For families visiting the Play Station All-Abilities Park this summer, the new Braille American Flag is a must-see—and must-touch—feature, reminding everyone that freedom, visibility, and community belong to all.
Stay tuned with My Neighborhood News for more stories of progress and heart in your hometown.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
