Signature Guides: There are commercially available signature guides that are about the size of a credit card, made of plastic, and have a rectangular cutout in the middle.

Someone lines up the signature guide with the writing line and you sign your name in the space. These signature guides are often black so that they provide contrast with paper.

The one shown on this page has a handy keychain attached; it is available from MaxiAids.com.?[link opens in new window]Also look for other signature guides in the catelogs listed under Independent Living Products.

?Create a Writing Guide: There are many ways of creating your own writing guideline:

• Have someone make a crease on the writing space and then you will have a raised line to write your name on.
• Place one or more "Post-It" Notes along the writing line. Use more notes one on top of each other if you need them to feel the writing line. Write your name just above the "Post-Its" and remove them when you are done.
• Similarly, have someone place the upper edge of a credit card just below the writing line and write your name above the card. Hold the card so it doesn't move around.
• Have the index and middle fingers of your non-writing hand form a "V" and place this hand on the paper so that the index finger is along the writing line. Sign your name above your index finger.
• Have someone cut a rectangular opening in either an old credit card, one of the fake cards that are frequently sent with card offers or a piece of cardboard cut to the size of a credit card. The opening should be inch by about two inches. Use as you would a purchased signature guide.
• If you have partial vision, have someone use a marker pen and darken the writing line.

Rubber Stamp: A rubber stamp of your signature can be made for you at most office supply stores. But before you start to rely on a rubber stamp, try to maintain your own handwritten signature, and use a signature guide or bold lined paper to help you.