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Want more educational apps that are accessible? Blindfold Games
There are over 70 accessible Blindfold games - here is how you can help support additional educational games!
Blindfold Games are auditory-based games specifically created for students and adults who are visually impaired or blind. Many of these games are accessible, auditory versions of popular mainstream board games, TV games and apps. There are currently 70+ Blindfold games and growing!
Did you know that a number of these games were designed to specifically to be used by TVIs for educational purposes? Several games were created specifically to address tech skills needed by students who are visually impaired in order to learn and practice specific tech skills required to be successful in the digital classroom and to be successful in taking online assessments. Marty, the developer of Blindfold games, creates games that are requested by blind users and requested by Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs).
Blindfold Games used for Educational Purposes
Below are Paths to Technology posts about using Blindfold Games for educational purposes. Some of these games are very basic games that can be used to introduce young children to technology while other games are created to teach specific tech skills and educational goals.
Blindfold Bop Game: Teach VoiceOver Gestures (now called Blindfold Bop Gesture Game)
Blindfold Tic Tac Toe: Digital Math Grid Game
Blindfold Sea Battle: Accessible Battleship Game that Reinforces Grid Concepts
Digital Transitions #2: Math Grid Activities (explains need for students to learn how to navigate digital grids & activities include several Blindfold games)
Blindfold Bowling: iOS Spatial Concepts App (also great for O&M!)
Blindfold Sound Search (sound matching game)
Blindfold Barnyard: an iOS App (cardinal directions – also great for O&M)
Blindfold Hopper (introduction to sonification – sounds and pitches have meaning!)
Blindfold Games: Braille Spin & Solve (teaches/supports learning braille contractions)
Blindfold Word Games: Word Ladder, Word Flick, Hangman and Unscramble
Blindfold Games start off as free games with additional levels, coins, etc. that can be purchased within the app for a nominal fee. As a TVI, I thoroughly appreciate that I am able to try the game myself and/or with a student before making a purchase. Previewing the game provides insights as to whether the game is appropriate for my student and/or whether the game can be used to teach a specific educational skill.
Blindfold Games User Survey Results
There were hundreds of responses to the recent Blindfold Games survey. Most people have downloaded 26 or more games and have purchased around 5 games. More than one-third of the survey takers have purchased at least 10 games.
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What type of game would you like to have more of?
- Answer: Most popular categories were board games, sports games and TV game shows
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Pick 5 games that you would like to see next?
- Answer: Game of Life Board Game, Restaurant Game, Mario Brothers, Puppy Care, Name that Song, Golf, Football, 100,000 Dollar Pyramid, and piloting an airplane
- Answer: The least requested games were Snooker, Mastermind peg game, Dabble Word game and Risk board game
- Answer: Request for games already built: Snakes and Ladders (called Blindfold Snakes and Ladders), baseball (called Blindfold Home Run Derby), Family Feud (called Blindfold Feud), Trivia games (Blindfold Jeopardy Match), Blackjack (called Blindfold Blackjack), Candy Crush (called Blindfold Color Crush), Concentration (called Blindfold Sound Search) Basketball (called Blindfold Basketball)
Additional Questions & Answers
Marty shared these tidbits:
- Most of the games do not require earphones. Only those that use spatial location, like Blindfold Racer or Blindfold Hopper need earphones.
- Many people asked for multiplayer games. Blindfold Games launched several a while ago and they were not popular. That’s why we teamed up with RS Games – they make great multiplayer games.
- I can build more braille and learning games, but I need a distribution partner to sell those games to schools and TVIs (Teachers of Visually Impaired). I have not found a distribution partner yet.
- Thanks to everyone for your ideas!
How can YOU support Blindfold Games?
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Are you using a Blindfold Game with your students? Consider purchasing the in-app additional features!
- Download additional Blindfold Game apps
- Spread the word about these educational apps
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It is rare to find individual developers who provide apps for free. The apps designed specifically for educational purposes are being used; however, few educators are purchasing these apps. Purchasing these apps will support the development of future educational apps!
- Note: Blindfold apps are fun for all students – not just students who are visually impaired! Spread the word to mainstream educators and families!
- Marty is looking for ways to partner with educators to spread the word!
- Have an educational game idea? Share it with Marty.
- Have a lesson plan/activity on how to use a Blindfold game for educational purposes? Share it with Paths to Technology!
By Diane Brauner
