Accessible Card Presentation in Board Games: Developing an Application for Individuals with Visual Impairment

Abstract

Board games are a popular form of entertainment played in many cultures and countries in similar and different forms around the world. However, board games usually present barriers to people with visual impairments. One of these barriers is the card element in board games since these cards can be a hassle to read for individuals with visual impairment. This dissertation focuses on how cards in board games can be presented in a more accessible way through an application. Three interviews with individuals who either are visually impaired or have experience working with people with visual impairment were conducted to guide the development of the application. The application works by identifying a card with the camera of a phone or tablet. Then, the card is presented and stored in the application in a more accessible format, using higher contrasts, color-blindness-friendly colors, and a screen readercompatible format. Cards are identified through a combination of image recognition and text recognition. One challenge throughout the report was the broad range of visual impairments, where different solutions work for different individuals.