B-GAME: "Providing equal leisure and accessible learning opportunities for blind people through the aid of design that will not only help them engage in physical and mental exertion but will also connect them with sighted People

Abstract

Blind people have to face· issues like usability with many everyday items. The problems they face lie in the product itself because the available products are no different from the products used by regular consumers, which follow regular standards excluding the need of the visually impaired. Even if there are some products, they are rarely successful in providing appropriate or accessible learning media/activities/games specifically for people with vision problems. It is a stated fact that people with problems of vision/sight do not have motor/physical restrictions, but the barrier lies in the products themselves that are not designed according to the need of the user. Lack of awareness of blind user's experience, cost, and industry culture are some of the reasons that in Pakistan, blind students in primary or secondary schools have limited learning media. Even though technology has advanced, no improvements are seen in the products they use. The most common learning medium used by blind students in Pakistan is Braille books. Older methods of teaching are still being used to this date. In their free time, these students need an accessible game that will not only make learning interesting but also help them to reform skills that they can be utilized in everyday life. The Universal design approach is used in game design to make these games accessible for the people with and without vision. This research aims to provide primary and secondary school students with a new learning media, keeping up with the technology that will transform their learning experience in a completely new and interactive manner through games that specifically combine play, motivation, flow, and learning. Why just a game? So to create a rich learning environment that will allow interactive and exploratory learning. These inclusive games will also help blind children to connect with their non-visually impaired peers. Along with engaging in learning and developing skills, this will also shape their character and personality.