Tactile Playgrounds addresses the difficulties that the visually impaired (VI) face — specifically VI children— in obtaining concepts related to spatial relationships. Drawing from the notions of accessibility and empathy in design, Ly’s project aims to eliminate barriers for such individuals through the use of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). As such, her research and findings have culminated in creating a tactical playground, hoping to improve VI childrens’ cognitive efforts in memorising surroundings and navigating their neighbourhoods. Moving away from existing tactile maps, these explorations could potentially create more opportunities for an alternative design approach—one that extends beyond the conventional areas of design and embraces tangible, interactive elements.

Could you walk us through how the tactile playground works? Is it modelled after an existing space?

These are supposed to be assistive navigational tools to help children memorise their spatial environments and facilitate safe navigation within their neighbourhood. To facilitate interactive exploration of the map, tangible objects will be incorporated to utilise sensory stimulation through a variety of modes, such as sound, vibration, textures, etc. Each of these objects would represent different elements like overhead bridges, pedestrian crossings, landmarks, bus stops, and intersections. The purpose of the objects is to enable and amplify the VI child to differentiate between them, as well as identify where certain objects are placed. Accompanying the map will be a supplementary tool used to give them information about distances and placements of objects on the map.

The tactile playgrounds are aimed to improve VI children’s spatial navigation skills through tactile sensing, interactive exploration and play. In my research, it is evident that these themes are necessary to help them achieve spatial memorisation because (1) VI individuals have a stronger sense of touch than vision, and (2) children learn through play-based learning and interacting with their environment.

Could you share about how children with VI are currently navigating spaces?

VI individuals can see to a certain extent, while blind individuals are those who are unable to see at all. So most visually impaired actually don’t use walking sticks/guide dogs. While they mostly get assistance from their parents or family members, the sole purpose with these tactile playgrounds is to help VI children navigate their neighbourhoods independently, safely and efficiently (as their normal sighted peers do).