My final undergraduate degree project was to illustrate a story book for the visually impaired between the ages of 3-6 years in collaboration with Tulika Publishers, Chennai and Mathru Educational Trust for the Blind, Yelahanka.
Books hold countless treasures; stories that teach little ones about the world around them and their own unique place among the stars. Books for young children rely so much on pictures, colours and illustrations. They play a very important role in engaging a child’s interest and in developing a love for literature.
While all kinds of books are being produced in large numbers for sighted children, for children with Visual Impairment (VI), access to appropriate reading materials and literacy rich environments continues to be very limited.
Mohita , trying to feel the wind on her face as she runs by.
People have always believed in make believe, they’ve had imaginary friends and brought life to their dolls and toys. What needs to be done is to give children with visual impairment a new perspective of ‘make believe’ through a series of books of nonsensical rhymes, poems, a haiku or even a limerick. I want the child to be able to repeat and recall what is being read out to him with the help of body actions. Which brings us to the role of sound.
Sound is a very important aspect of our day-to-day lives. Word association to a particular sound or action plays an important role for a child with visual impairment as it helps them familiarise with their bodies and their surroundings. (eg. Swishy swashy-moving through long grass, ribbit ribbit-frog, squelch squerch- stepping through mud)
Here are a few initial experiments on what a book is or could be for a visually impaired child using different senses.
Here are a few initial experiments on what a book is or could be for a visually impaired child using different senses.
1)Experimentation with touch and smell through spices.
2-3) The mini project.
2-3) The mini project.
Mini project: 'The Adventures of a Slinky'
That's how they sleep!
Playing Simon Says with the little ones.
One of the main central points of the book is to get these children to associate words with sound and vice-versa. Second, visually impaired children aren't aware of their own bodies or surroundings. This book will help them get accustomed to their whereabouts and will also make them more confident.
My book is about little Toto, one cute but mischievous puppy. He is always up to no good. Either he is running around and jumping onto things or you will find him chewing on some little treasure he dug out from his backyard. “No! Toto, No!” Uh-oh! Jojo, his scruffy human, is upset with little Toto.
This book is for all those who’ve grown up without the joyous little puppies in their lives.
The book is accompanied with a DVD which shows the parent/caretaker how to read the book, what words to stress on and what actions to teach the child. The book will have sounds words written in braille and few elements of the character, Toto, with raised outlines.
From iterations to final characters.
Spread from the book.
Sample Video: Aaron Julius Punnen doing a reading of the book.
For more information on this project, you can contact me on aish02@gmail.com
