Last week we looked at group activities and games specifically geared towards the visually impaired. For those that prefer smaller scale pastimes, that can be enjoyed with as few as two persons, this blog will look at those games created with the visually impaired person in mind.

Two Person Games for All Ages

This section will provide brief descriptions and links for games that can be played for persons of all ages. Marinoff Low Vision Playing Cards: Designed by the ophthalmologist, Dr. Gerald Marinoff, to enable individuals with vision problems to more easily see the numbers on playing cards. They come with 1.25-inch-high numbers. The outstanding feature is the black outline that surrounds the large numbers to make them 'stand out'. Tactile Connect Four: This tactile Connect Four has holes in one color of the pieces so that those who are Blind or visually impaired can play tactually. The challenge is to get four chips in a row while blocking your opponent from doing the same. Chess Set: All wood tactile Chess board made entirely of authentic, genuine teak. Complete with plastic tactile playing pieces, specially designed to be identified by touch, this set is a must-have for any Blind Chess player. This is a one-of-a-kind, all-new presentation of tactile Chess that can be played by Blind, visually impaired, and sighted Chess players. Oversized Wood Domino Set: Easy on the eyes, easy on the hands and fun to play. The 3.2" x 1.75" x .25" wood pieces are painted black with large white circles, making them easy to see and very graspable. Adults with arthritis or low vision will enjoy playing dominoes with this set. They are also a good set for young children learning the game or learning to count. 28 pieces in set.

Games Geared Towards Kids

This section will focus on brief descriptions and links for games specifically geared to children. SENSEsational Alphabet Flashcards: Learning the alphabet has never been more exciting and stimulating! This fun and engaging card set lets your child feel the different textures of animals, smell the distinctive aromas of things, and much more! Learn the entire alphabet and many beginning words in Sign Language and Braille. This set comes with a user manual and is designed with all young children in mind! Braille Math Blocks: Quality craftsmanship you can feel, with imaginative design and Braille lettering. The companion set to our Braille Sign Language set, these 16 blocks are embossed with numbers and basic math symbols, along with the corresponding Braille cell. Braille ABC Wooden Blocks: This 28-block set is made from sustainable Michigan basswood with Braille and embossed letters along with traditional letter forms on the block. The attractive European style font is easily traced by little fingers. These blocks are not only fun to stack and play with, but they also make an excellent learning tool.

Helpful Information and Resources to Consider

If you are looking for helpful advice or further game suggestions these links should help you start out on the right track. The American Foundation for the Blind provides a list of suggestions for a variety of games, such as computer or electronic games, are accessible with a screen reader or are self-voicing, and board games or card games are available in large print or with braille or tactile marks. Paths to Literacy is a website for students who are blind or visually Impaired. The linked article details advise and suggestions on how to adapt games for children with vision impairments written by a teacher with vision impairments herself. Specific games mentioned include Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, and Battleship. Sightless Fun is a website dedicated to recommending tips, tricks, and modifications to allow visually impaired persons the ability to play nearly any game they can imagine. One link from this page also provides information on Alexa (Amazon’s Virtual Assistant) based games.  It covers everything from picking out a game, setup/tearing down, how to keep the game flowing, ways to assist a visually impaired person, and concludes with the author’s final thoughts on the subject. VisionAware provides a section on types of already adapted games, as well as discusses ways in which you can adapt your own. ILA carries many of the recommended adaptative devices including a Braille Label Maker, a wide variety of bump dots, and textured paint. To see what’s currently on sale at ILA please sign up for our newsletter, view our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or visit our website.