Yvette Legall,

Gita Deonaraine-Sahadeoand AyodeleMontes

INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES

FOR THE BLIND AND

VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Games and act iv i t ies for v isual ly impaired chi ldren need to be fun as wel l as be a learning experience. Var ious games and act iv i t ies can promote learning of l i fe sk i l ls . Some games also strengthen colors, numbers, textures , shapes, and concepts that can be fun and educat ional too.

Games can be modi f ied and adapted for the needs of v isual ly impaired chi ldren. Some of the adaptat ions are :

Div ide sect ions of board games with g lue and di f ferent textures .

Add Brai l le labels to each sect ion of the board.

Use Velcro in sect ions of the board.

Brai l le the instruct ions and game cards.

Record game instruct ions on tape.

Brai l le regular playing cards or other card games.

Use textures or g lue to mark di f ferences.

Add colored st ickers to game pieces.

Mark the dice with a Brai l le label .

Most of these adapt ion are a l ready made in games that are avai lable commercial ly for v isual ly impaired chi ldren.

INTRODUCTION

The following are interactive games and activities in the form of software programs as well as online websites that can be utilized in the classroom as part of the instructional strategies in teaching students with blindness or visual impairments.

INTERACTIVE GAMES/ACTIVITIES

1. Sonokids Games

This is a compilation of interactive games catering

for the visually impaired.

- Bajobuster

- Memory

These games are l inked with the JAWS software that is designed for the visually impaired. Sonokids is an international not -for-profit organisation.

Sonokids applies so-called ‘Ludic Design for All ’ to the creation of innovative online applications in order to offer all children a learning experience which is enhanced by an element of play. Sonokids develops web- and sound tools and applications compliant with the principles of Design for All that are fun and educational at the same time, compatible with magnification software, screenreader software and refreshable Brail le displays, and fully accessible to users who are blind or have low vision.

ONLINE INTERACTIVE GAMES/ACTIVITIES

2. Interactive Software has also been designed from the American Printing House for the Blind,Inc.

The website offers a variety of interactive games, activities, products, equipment that assists the visual impaired and blind. The site has incorporated the use of apps and digital technologies to enhance learning. It is also an online shopping medium of software and equipment for the visual impaired and the blind.

INTERACTIVE GAMES/ACTIVITIES

3. Bal ly land

Sonokids Bal lyland™ resource for PC and Mac computers is a game for a l l chi ldren, including chi ldren with special needs. The design speci f ical ly suppor ts playful learning by chi ldren who are bl ind or have low v is ion.

Bal ly land’s Any Key Goes enables chi ldren to explore the computer keyboard independently, wi th engaging sounds, images, stor ies and songs. F ive Key Games introduce one key at a t ime, wi th a l l other keys disabled. These Key Games can also be accessed with s ingle switch.

Features

Self -voic ing

Spoken feedback

Zoom

Easy recognisable sounds and images

Adjustable colour contrast

Adjustable response t ime

No l i teracy sk i l ls required

No assist ive technology required

INTERACTIVE GAMES/ACTIVITIES

Grail to the Thief

is an interactive audio adventure for the blind and visually impaired. he game has been designed with the needs of the blind and visually impaired in mind but can be enjoyed by everyone. Our goal is to deliver an exciting, immersive experience in which the player will always be fully aware of what is happening through the use of voice-overs, sound effects, ambient sound and music.

This game is more suitable for teenagers and adults.

INTERACTIVE GAMES/ACTIVITIES

For many of our students, both blind and low vision, tacti le learning is their “pathway to progress.” Visual impairment affects the whole process of information gathering. Far too often we expect blind or visually impaired children to base their knowledge of the world on verbal descriptions and very l imited “hands -on” experiences. Research suggests that when sensory input, including tacti le input, is imbedded within a purposeful activity, it is meaningful to the central nervous system and can promote learning .

The fol lowing website provides activit ies that can be incorporated within the classroom for bl ind and visual impaired students using tacti le learning.

http://www.tsbvi .edu/school/106- tx -senseabil i t ies/fal l -2011/3096-early -tacti le - learning

Other interactive activit ies that can be used within the classroom:

http://www.icevi -europe.org/topics/lv/ELT-Celesnik .doc

http://www.tsbvi .edu/brai l le -materials/138-2014-11-3-15-19-45-3/1086-computer -games-for -students-with-visual - impairments

INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES UTILIZING

TACTILE MEDIUM

http://www.brighthubeducation.com/special -ed-visual-impairments/62229-eight-games-for-students-with-visual-impairment

http://www.teachingvisuallyimpaired.com

http://www.sonokids.com/wwwsonokids/english/games.html

http://www.sonokids.org/

http://tech.aph.org/

http://www.ballyland.com/index-computers.php

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/foralltoplay/grail-to-the-thief-an-interactive-audio-adventure

VIDEO URL

https://d2pq0u4uni88oo.cloudfront.net/projects/933119/video-368287-h264_high.mp4

REFERENCES