The Magic of Touchable Fireworks

Fireworks shows are enjoyed by people around the world as a primarily visual experience. It might sound crazy, but now you can actually FEEL fireworks. Feeling is believing. For the more than 10 million Americans who are blind or visually impaired, they can now feel what sighted individuals experience during a joyful fireworks celebration. “Feeling […]

Mental Blox Game

Looking for a fun game to practice critical thinking and problem-solving?  Look no further than the Mental Blox Game from Learning Resources.  Mental Blox is a “brain-boosting, block-building, make-you-think game.” This brain-boosting game for ages five and up includes 20 blocks in 4 different shapes with 3 different attributes.  There are also 20 double-sided cards […]

Ruff’s House Teaching Tactile Set

While some children learn best by watching (visual learners), others require a more hands-on approach.  These tactile learners need the stimulation of touch to learn.  The Ruff’s House Teaching Tactile Set allows children to learn many skills by feeling their way through Ruff’s textured bones. Children ages 3 and up will have fun helping Ruff […]

Squirrel Devices Tactile Caliper: Accessible Ruler for Users with Blindness

Pranay Jain and Anshul Singhal are two Ph.D. candidates from MIT.  They’re also the developers at Squirrel Devices.  Squirrel Devices’ mission is to “enable Math and Science accessibility for students with blindness.”  Their first commercial product is the Squirrel Devices Tactile Caliper, which is a “geometry instrument for persons with blindness to measure and draw with high […]

intact sketchpad

inTACT Tactile Graphics

Earlier this year, I wrote about a museum exhibit featuring tactile paintings for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.  Now, a company called E.A.S.Y. Tactile Graphics is painting a new canvas of possibilities for individuals with vision impairments. The company’s mission statement states: “We firmly believe that drawing is not reserved solely for the sighted, and […]

7 Games and Toys for the Visually Impaired

Play is an important part of each child’s development.  During play, children learn essential skills such as communication, cognition, motor skills, social interaction, and other developmental skills.  While play is important for each child’s development, it is especially vital for children who are blind or visually impaired because it’s how they learn to interact with their surroundings.  What are […]