Hi. This project sets the stage for my commitment to inclusive design. Inspired by personal experiences, it delves into the world of visually impaired children, emphasizing the importance of equal opportunities in play. This two-player sound-matching game bridges the gap between visually impaired and sighted children, fostering not just play but social interaction crucial for childhood development. The project encapsulates my dedication to addressing real-world, meaningful challenges through design.
The players take turns picking up two of the boxes on the playing field, shaking them, and finding out whether the sounds are the same. Additionally, there is a system of rows and columns, so that whenever a box is picked up by either player, the player has to say in which row and column the box is.
Play is a human right, vital for the overall development of every child. For visually impaired children, play holds an even more critical role in socio-psychological and relational skill development. In fact play, especially peer play, has an even more crucial role for the development of visually impaired children. Being deprived from play can result in distancing between the visually impaired and the sighted, leading to loneliness, depression, and further prolonging of the acquirement of essential skills and abilities. The project seeks to ensure equal opportunities for both visually impaired and sighted children in the realm of play, so that both have equal chances of strategizing and winning.
Designing for the visually impaired or blind comes with a set of considerations a designer needs to understand before engaging in the topic.
However, there is a fundamental concept to keep in mind – designing a game for the interaction of the visually impaired and the sighted will not be possible unless the game is attractive for both parties. This means not only thinking about the visually impaired, but considering the interests of non-visually impaired (sighted) children as well.
Guided by principles of equality, attractiveness, and producibility, I ideated a game seamlessly integrating visually impaired and sighted children. The concept involves a memory-matching game with an audio feedback system, bright colors, tactile elements, and a structured game board, ensuring equal chances for both sighted and visually-impaired children.
While I am satisfied with the project's outcome, I acknowledge the need for further testing, especially in terms of the physical properties. Interestingly, the project, designed for helping the integration of visually-impaired children, also holds potential for broader audiences, marking its inherent versatility.