The popular card game UNO can now be enjoyed by the blind. Toy company Mattel has created a braille edition of the game that can be played by both visually impaired and sighted users, reports the Independent.
So easy to use
Mattel says the new edition features braille markings on the corner of each card to indicate the colour, number or action. The packaging also features braille on the front and back of the cards.
Instructions for the game can be downloaded in braille readable files or players can ask Amazon Alexa or Google Home to read the instructions aloud.
“A historic moment for blind people”
Mattel joined forces with the National Federation of the Blind to create the new deck. The organisation has commended the toy company for making UNO more accessible, calling this a “truly historic moment for blind people”.
“UNO Braille is helping promote the importance and normalcy of braille by putting it in places people might not expect—like in the game aisle at Target—and integrating it into the play of blind children,” said Mark Riccobono, president of the American National Federation of the Blind.
“The fact that we are now able to play a classic game of Uno straight out of the box with both blind and sighted friends or family members is a truly historic moment for blind people.”
UNO announced the launch by sharing a short video on Twitter featuring individuals who are blind and low-vision enjoying the new version of the game.
“It’s a sighted world, so it’s important to have accessibility for the blind,” said Raveena Alli, a child featured in the clip. “But also to be able to pull out a deck of cards and say, ‘Hey, there’s braille and print on this, do you wanna play?’ And it will just be really fun.”
“The fact that we are now able to play a classic game of Uno straight out of the box with both blind and sighted friends or family members is a truly historic moment for blind people.”
Mark Riccobono, president of the American National Federation of the Blind.
Ray Adler, global head of games at Mattel, said that he hopes UNO Braille will make a real impact on “a community that has been underserved”.
Where to buy UNO Braille
Disability Connect contacted several large South African toy retailers to find out if they have plans to stock UNO Braille. Unfortunately, the answer was no. However, you can buy it on Amazon for $9.99.
Source: The Independent
