How can contrast be used to improve literacy

development in visually impaired children?

StatementThe exploration of contrasting colours and textures in educational play toys to support a visually impaired child's literacy development and their ability to understand concepts.

PurposeThe purpose of this project is to undertake my own research which will act as an example to other designers and researchers contributing further to research in this field.

AudienceVisually impaired children aged 7-9 years suffering from cortical visual impairment (CVI), in Australia.

Definitions

ContrastContrast ranges from colour, scale, texture to temperature. It is defined as two opposing forms juxtaposed together.

Visually ImpairedReferred to as limited and/or impaired eyesight, which "cannot be corrected with conventional glasses or contact lenses."

Vision Australia, “Low Vision Services”, http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=583#whatis, (accessed: 26/04/2012)

Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, "Australian Childhood Vision Impairment Register; May 2011 Update", http://www.ridbc.org.au/renwick/research/projects/acvir/ACVIR-report-2011-05.pdf, (accessed: 29/05/2012), 4

Early Learning Centre, Early Learning Centre Catalogue, (NSW: Mothercare Australia, 2011), 85, 103

Konstantin Datz, Yanko Design, “Colour Rubik Cube For The Blind”, http://www.yankodesign.com/2010/03/17/color-rubik-cube-for-the-blind/, (accessed: 15/05/2011)

Early Learning Centre, Early Learning Centre Catalogue, (NSW: Mothercare Australia, 2011), 85, 103

Konstantin Datz, Yanko Design, “Colour Rubik Cube For The Blind”, http://www.yankodesign.com/2010/03/17/color-rubik-cube-for-the-blind/, (accessed: 15/05/2011)

Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, "Australian Childhood Vision Impairment Register; May 2011 Update", http://www.ridbc.org.au/renwick/research/projects/acvir/ACVIR-report-2011-05.pdf, (accessed: 29/05/2012), 4

Vision Australia, “Low Vision Services”, http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=583#whatis, (accessed: 26/04/2012)

References