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How to DIY for CVI accessibility: The playroom

How can you adapt playrooms, toys and games for children on the blindness spectrum with CVI? Check out these DIY projects and find gift ideas!

Let’s look at crafty adaptations and hacks that make playtime fun and accessible. We have ideas for room setup, game modifications, and adapted equipment. 

Room setup

“Toys instantly became more accessible to my boys,” Victoria says when she also added touches like:

A child kneels to play with a toy on a black table in a playroom. The room has many organized cubbies and shelves,, another back table with chairs, and back wallpaper with letters of the alphabet lining the walls.
Photo courtesy of Victoria L., CVI Now Parents Facebook Group
A playroom with a black down blanket on the floor, with a blue bouncy toy on top. Behind that is a large black table with a black backdrop, organized cubbies, and adapted play toys.
Weston, a child with CVI, plays with a colorful 5 layer ball tower at his adapted desk.
Photos courtesy of Patrick Mahady
Two small red and a green balls sit on an adapted desk covered in black mats.

Tummy time 

A baby in diaper lays on his tummy on a slanted pillow and plays with an adapted sensory toy with red beads that are hanging above him.

Puzzles

Games and toys

A before and after image. Before: a star plushie with a slight smile. After: a star plushie with an open mouth smile.
Photo courtesy of Lucinda H., CVI Now Facebook Group
Connect 4 stand spray painted black with red and yellow coins in the slots
Photo courtesy of Ann Y., CVI DIY Support Tools Facebook Group
Adapted fishing game with the addition of velcro in the fishes' mouth
Photo courtesy of Meredith L., CVI Now Parents Facebook Group
A toy has circle, heart, and triangle shaped glittery stickers on top of corresponding buttons
Photo courtesy of Emily M., CVI Now Parents Facebook Group
@tripletmama25

♬ Techno Underground Cyber News(1262394) – Yorm
Yellow stars on a lightbox.
Photo courtesy of Samantha Deschenes, CVI DIY Support Tools Facebook Group
Grace leans in close to arrange blocks that rest on a blue cushioned slant board.

Sensory play

Three pill bottles with pink textured tape wraped around them and dried pasta inside. Underneath are 3 square bowls filled with uncooked lentils, black rice, and quinoa.
Photo courtesy of Cindy Younan, CVI Journey

Take it outside

A girl wearing a helmet rides away on an adapted bike. In the distance another girl rides a scooter,
A hand holds a red and yellow ball. Text on ball: Jingles bell ball.

Looking for more DIY ideas?

We’ve got a house full of them!

Plus, see our CVI gift guide for more games and play ideas!

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