Abstract
A play environment, comprised of eight circular play courts arranged around a ninth court, was designed on the basis of the idea that play could be used to help blind children learn orientation skills that are essential for their development as individuals. Sensory stimulation, especially hearing and touch, and spatial perception are integral parts of the environment, as is the requirement that the child actively participate in order to enjoy the activities. Tactile maps and recorded instructions are also utilized. The design was presented to a panel of experts—orientation and mobility instructors, teachers, a psychologist, a recreation therapist, and a research designer—for evaluation. A majority judged the concept, the overall design, and the design of the individual elements to be “effective” or “very effective” in promoting the development of orientation skills in blind children.
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