William S. Ratchford, II Outdoor Learning Center

Leave Your Mark in Braille at the William S. Ratchford,II Outdoor Learning Center

Thank you for your generous support of the William S. Ratchford, II Outdoor Learning Center at The Maryland School for the Blind (MSB). Your gift has helped shape a space where students of all abilities connect with nature and experience learning through all senses—sight, sound, touch, and movement.

In recognition of your generous support MSB and The Ratchford family invite you to be a part of a special commemorative project: a tactile tile mural, permanently installed at the Ratchford Outdoor Learning Center. This mural will include braille-imprinted clay tiles, each one a tribute to a member of our generous community—you.

You are invited to personalize a tile by submitting your initials to be imprinted in braille. These tiles will become part of a lasting, accessible artwork our students can explore with their hands and hearts.

What the Tiles Look Like

Clear plastic cups contain bright blue Braille molds used for imprinting names and initials into clay.

Custom Braille molds are prepared for stamping into clay tiles.

A participant prepares to create a tile, positioning a mold and selecting a Braille stamp.

Participants prepare clay and Braille stamps for pressing into custom tiles.

A student gently explores a clay tile with Braille using their fingertips while an adult supports the tile from below.

Students explore freshly molded clay tiles imprinted with Braille.

A glazed blue tactile tile with raised Braille dots sits on display.

Completed glazed tile showcasing a two character braille imprint.

Submit Your Tile

To include your initials in Braille on one of these unique tiles, please complete the submission form by June 30, 2025:

Submit Your Braille Tile

If you have any questions or would like assistance with your submission, please contact Marlo Jacobson at 410-319-5728 or email marloj@mdschblind.org.

Thank you for being an enduring part of this inclusive, creative space. Your generosity is shaping something truly beautiful—both visually and tangibly—for students today and for generations to come.