Designing a Tactile Game for the Visually Impaired

I built a tactile game that can be played by both blind people as well as the general public. I designed this game using CAD software and manufactured it with a 3D printer.

While I created this project to primarily learn about CAD software, I also did this to learn methods in which all designers and engineers could aid those who are visually impaired.

This project was 100% completed using Autocad software. This drastically reduced the quantity of equipment necessary to create my game. The software I used was Autodesk Fusion 360. While the software I was using was not free (I had an educational license), you could use whatever software you would please.

The only other device I needed was a 3D printer. While normally expensive, I was able to use my school's 3D printer. There is a good chance that if you go to school or university, your institution will have one as well.

When I began this project, I set out to create a game that would be accessible to those who are visually impaired. Because of this, before I came up with a topic idea, I listed the attributes a game made for blind people would have. Some of them were:

• No written, nontactile labeling
• Pieces do not move very freely during the game
• No extremely complex positions

This made me think of the 15 puzzle. In this puzzle, the number labels could be substituted for bumps. Pieces only slide around. Also, it is only a 4 by 4 grid—something that could be kept track of relatively easily when coupled with tactile labels.

However, because I wanted to add some competition, I though the game could be a race between two players to complete the puzzle. I feel as though this would make it more action-packed.

Here, I formalized my thinking. I did this by creating a proposal/description for my project. This was not very detailed, it was only meant to collect some of my ideas from my brainstorming.

I also collected these ideas by creating a sketch. I simply drew and labeled all of the components of 1 puzzle set (one is necessary for each player, but they would be identical). One set consisted of 15 pieces, each labeled with a different number of bumps to denote numbers, a container for the numbers to slide around in, and a cover so that the pieces don't get lost when they are stored.

After this, I began designing the 3D models in Fusion Autodesk 30. I began with the container. I created this container in a 150 by 150 mm square because my 3D printer could only print 6 in x 6 in x 6 in objects (~152 mm). Then, by using the container, I made a fitting. I did this by imprinting the top of the container on the bottom of the cover Then, I created all 15 pieces. I did this by copying one piece and then modifying the copies, as creating them all from scratch would be tedious..

After this, I finally wrote the instructions for the game. These instructions are intended for the players to read so that they could play the game properly. My instructions consist both of a highly specific description as well as a set of directions. You can read them below.

Description

This is a competitive puzzle game. The goal of this game is to complete the puzzle first. 

The puzzle consists of 15 square pieces that need to be arranged into a certain order. These pieces sit in a space that they divide into a 4 by 4 grid. Because of this, there will be a space where one piece is missing. 

The pieces can only be rearranged by sliding them around. Each is labeled with a number, signified by the number of bumps. The goal is to take a shuffled arrangement of pieces and convert them to

1 2 3 4 

5 6 7 8 

9 10 11 12

13 14 15

by only sliding the tiles

Because of the nature of this game, a puzzle set will be required for every player. This game is played by 2 or more players, but the puzzle can also be played solo.

Directions:

1. Each player should put all of the puzzle pieces into the container. They should make sure that the bumpy side is up and that each piece lays flat on the bottom of the well.
2. Each player should shuffle the pieces in their set. They should do this by sliding them randomly around. This is to ensure that the puzzle isn’t already solved.
3. On the count of three, each player should begin their puzzle. They should slide the pieces only, not pick them up. When one player believes they are finished, they should alert the others.
4. If the other players check his set and realize that it is in order, that player wins. If else, that player automatically loses and the competition continues unless there is one other player left.

This is the final step. However, I do not personally know that much about the specifics of 3D printing a model. I give the files to my teacher and she will do it for me. Also, I have not printed out my game yet. Our class is going to print all our games out all at once. I will update this post in the future when I actually 3D print and play with my game.