Pennsylvania Capitol Gets Braille American Flag
Governor Josh Shapiro signed a law installing a tactile Braille flag in the state Capitol's east wing.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Military
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Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a law on Oct. 22 to install a Braille American flag in the Pennsylvania State Capitol. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers of the legislature in fall 2026.
Why it matters
The flag is designed so people with visual disabilities can read and touch the stars, stripes and Pledge of Allegiance. Lawmakers chose the East Wing for its accessibility, and the flag honors veterans with visual impairments.
The bronze plaque features 50 raised stars and 13 raised stripes, with the Pledge of Allegiance written in Braille between the stripes. The final installation date has not been set.
The players
Josh Shapiro
Governor of Pennsylvania, who signed the Braille flag bill into law on Oct. 22.
Scott Martin
Pennsylvania state senator who proposed installing the Braille flag in the Capitol this year.
Department of General Services
Pennsylvania state agency that will work with Martin's staff to plan the flag's installation.
The details
State Sen. Scott Martin proposed the flag after a Manheim Township resident, John Moore, asked his office to pursue it. Martin's staff will meet with the state Department of General Services next week to begin planning the installation in the East Wing.
Timeline
Oct. 22, 2026: Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the Braille flag bill into law.
Next week: Martin's staff meets with the Department of General Services to plan installation.
2027: The Braille flag is expected to be installed in the Capitol's east wing.
Roadmap
Pennsylvania's Capitol will be the 24th place in the state to display a Braille flag, and it follows Arlington National Cemetery, which already has one on display. The state's first Braille flag was installed at a medical center in Altoona.
Visitors with visual disabilities will be able to feel the flag's stars, stripes and Pledge of Allegiance in the East Wing once it is installed. The installation gives veterans with visual impairments a tactile tribute at the state Capitol.
The takeaway
Accessible design in public buildings lets people with disabilities take part in civic and veteran tributes on equal terms. Readers interested in similar projects can look for tactile memorials at state capitols and national sites.
What happens next
Martin's staff will meet with the Department of General Services next week to begin planning, with installation expected in 2027.
Further reading
For more on veterans' programs and military recognition in the state, explore the Military section.
More information
Learn more about the tactile flag effort through the American Braille Flag Project.
Source note: This article includes information reported by LancasterOnline.
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Should Pennsylvania spend public money on symbolic veterans' accessibility projects like Braille flags?
