Any activity can be adapted and can offer valuable opportunities to overcome the obstacles associated with visual impairment. Maintaining an active life, stimulating your mind and strengthening your social relationships is important. This is why in this article we are going to present you with various activities, whether physical or rather mental, adapted to visually impaired people.
Large character board games
Board games are a great way to stimulate the mind and promote social interactions. Many popular games have been adapted to meet the specific needs of people with vision problems. For example, card games, Scrabble, Uno, and more are available in large print with high contrasts and easily manipulated pieces on the Agoralude site. These adaptations make the games accessible to people with moderate to severe visual disabilities, thus allowing participation.
active and pleasant.
Adapted books and magazines
Reading has a significant impact on well-being and personal culture. It stimulates the imagination, enriches knowledge and offers a means of relaxation and escape. For people with poor eyesight, the ability to continue reading through appropriate adaptations contributes to a better quality of life and greater autonomy.
Audiobooks and large print books or magazines allow for this. The former offer the possibility of enjoying literature by listening to stories. The latter offer accessible content for those who prefer to read. If you are looking for such readings, you can consult the site of the Librairie des Grands Caractères in Paris!
Artistic and creative activities
Artistic and creative activities offer unique and therapeutic ways of expression for people who are visually impaired. Tactile painting and sculpture are particularly suitable, allowing the use of touch to create and appreciate art. These activities engage other senses, offering a rich and inclusive artistic experience.
Organizations such as the Valentin Haüy Association offer adapted artistic programs (pottery, origami, knitting...), allowing the visually impaired to participate actively in creative activities. These workshops provide a safe and encouraging space where participants can explore their creativity without the usual barriers associated with visual impairment.
Adapted physical activities
The importance of physical activity goes beyond the physical benefits. It improves self-confidence, reduces stress, and promotes a sense of belonging to a community. By practicing adapted sports, people with visual disabilities can establish relationships of trust with their guides and partners, thus strengthening their social circle.
To name just a few, you have walking that allows people with poor eyesight to enjoy nature while improving their physical condition. Specialized guides or chaperones can join the walkers, ensuring their safety and offering descriptions of the surroundings to enrich the experience. There is also the tandem which is ideal for people who want to practice cycling. On a tandem, a sighted guide takes a seat at the front to steer the bike, while the visually impaired person pedals at the back. This activity allows you to feel the speed and adrenaline of cycling safely.
Again, you can turn to the Valentin Haüy Association, which offers a range of sports activities adapted for the visually impaired and the blind.
Pets and pet therapy
Pets offer many benefits to people with low vision, including companionship, emotional support, and motivation for physical activity. Guide dogs, in particular, play a critical role in helping with orientation and ensuring safe travel. They also provide a comforting presence that can reduce stress and anxiety. The company of animals stimulates socialization and engagement in daily activities, thus contributing to a better quality of life.
Accessible museums and shows
It is entirely possible to enjoy culture while being visually impaired thanks to numerous museums and shows that offer adapted services. For example, the Louvre Museum offers guided audio description tours for visually impaired visitors, allowing them to discover the works through detailed descriptions and adapted comments.
In addition to museums, many theaters and operas in France offer audiodescription shows. These services allow the visually impaired to follow the performances through verbal descriptions of actions, sets, and costumes, thus enriching their cultural experience.
The Accès Culture Association offers audio description solutions in numerous theaters and operas across France, making performances accessible to all. Accès Culture works in close collaboration with performance venues to set up adapted reception and support systems, thus guaranteeing an inclusive and enriching experience for visually impaired spectators.
A more inclusive future
Adapted activities for visually impaired people play an essential role in improving their quality of life and social integration. This article explored various areas, such as large-print board games, adapted books, and artistic and creative activities. The importance of adapted physical activity and the benefits of pets and animal therapy were also discussed.
These activities not only promote well-being and mental stimulation, but also socialization and independence. Discovering and trying out these activities allows people with low vision to have enriching and inclusive experiences.
And to take full advantage of your game nights or your reading, Magic Leap smart glasses and our Magic Sight software provide technological solutions adapted to the specific needs of people with visual acuity disorders.