Playing is an universal and multicultural activity that has been part of a child's day since the beginning of humankind
This project was created in 2016 as a final/senior project of the Bachelor program of Product Design at Sao Paulo State University (UNESP - Brazil).
The purpose was to create an inclusive toy that could meet the visually impaired children's need, at the same time as be used equally by children with and without visual impairment in preschool age (3 to 6 years old).
A state-of-art research was conducted prior to the development as well as an interview with professionals from the Visual Rehabilitation Center at APAE - Bauru (Brazil). The information obtained was key to understand what kind of features may help in the motor coordination development of visually impaired children. In addition, an analysis of similar products available at the market was also performed. The analysis showed that most of the toys for visually impaired children available at the Brazilian market consist of adaptations of traditional toys, focusing on the practical function and not having an attractive aesthetics, making it unappealing for sighted children.
This project used Universal Design principles in the design process and took into consideration Toy Safety Rules and Regulations, types of materials used for children's toys and knowledge about the development of a child with visual impairment.
Made of pine wood (finished with bees' wax) with a mix of fabrics to stimulate the tactile sense. Inside the toy there are rattles to stimulate the auditory sense. The toy also stimulates fine motor skills through the nylon rope that children can pull and the geometric forms that can be placed in the toy through velcro.
If you want to know more about the project, check out the report (in Portuguese):
Photos: Amanda Marcolino
