Mildred Frank, Innovator of Products to Help the Blind Live More Independently, Dies at 92

We at MaxiAids were saddened to hear of the death of Mildred Frank this past Friday, June 25. Mrs. Frank overcame vision challenges and learned skills that allowed her to live independently as a blind woman, then devoted herself to helping other blind and visually impaired individuals do the same.

“I spoke to Mildred regularly. She was always thinking about how to make things easier for the blind, and would propose new ideas and improvements on existing products.”
said Elliot Zaretsky, president and founder of MaxiAids Products for Independent Living, who produced and distributed numerous items conceived by Mrs. Frank. “I loved hearing from her. Whenever we spoke, something positive resulted.”

Mrs. Frank and MaxiAids teamed up to produce numerous items designed to help the blind and those with low vision live more independently. Her Vision Aide Manual, a blueprint for how family members and caregivers of blind individuals can help set up the optimal environment to promote independent living, became the textbook for a class for caregivers of the blind at Daytona State College in Florida.

She also authored low vision cookbooks, and developed the Audible and Tactile Marking System, a kit that includes Braille, tactile and low vision labels, a Braille labeler, Touch Dots, tactile marking pens, the Vision Aide Manual and countless other items, all in a handy toolbox. “This kit may be the most important product Mildred came up with,” said Mr. Zaretsky. “It’s a tremendous help to the vision impaired and a vital tool in helping set up an independent living environment.”

Another of Mrs. Frank’s ideas that MaxiAids ultimately developed and produced were the Pocket Braille Labelling Kit and the Jumbo Braille Labelling Kit. These compact portable kits provide visually impaired individual a Braille slate, stylus and all the items they need to mark belongings with Braille labels and tags.

“Mildred had a remarkable passion and determination to come up with new ideas that made a difference. I will greatly miss her both personally and professionally,” concluded Mr. Zaretsky. “And the low vision community has lost a great innovator and advocate.”