Accessible Test

Portable Sound Source, Sport Edition

(Completed)
Purpose

To have a reliable sound source that is small enough and adaptable enough to use in physical fitness and leisure activities (i.e., basketball, rock climbing, hiking, etc.). The accompanying book will provide sound locator activities (revision of current APH book for the Portable Sound Source 2003).

Project Staff

Tristan Pierce, Project Leader

Robert Wall, Consultant

Rebecca Price, COMS, Consultant

Frank Hayden, Technical Research Division Manager

James Robinson, Manufacturing Specialist

Monica Vaught, Research/Project Assistant
Background

APH recognized the need for a smaller and more adaptable electronic sound source while conducting focus group sessions on the Sound Ball. Upon reviewing the Sound Localization Book that currently accompanies the APH Portable Sound Source 2003, the need for revision was identified. A product specific electronic survey was conducted to determine new needs for the Sound Localization Guidebook. Robert Wall designed the sound localization study, and APH staff conducted the sound localization testing. Nineteen young children participated in the study, which consisted of a pre test and a post test.

Work during FY 2009

The guidebook was printed and embossed. The product is available.

30 Love: Guidelines for Tennis Players with Visual

Impairment or Blindness

(Completed)
Purpose

To make available in the United States an adapted tennis game that is currently played in Japan, Korea, and the United Kingdom.

Project Staff

Tristan Pierce, Project Leader

Monica Vaught, Research Assistant

Darlene Donhoff, Manufacturing Specialist

Frank Hayden, Technical Research Division Manager
Background

Continuing work on the PE Web site led to the discovery of a website demonstrating tennis being played indoors by Japanese people who are blind. APH staff began working with the Japan Tennis Association for the Visually Handicapped to introduce the sport to the United States. A tennis clinic was held at the Kentucky School for the Blind in Louisville, KY. The guidelines were written and the product was field tested.

Work during FY 2009

The guidelines were printed and embossed; the kit was assembled. The product is available.

Games for People With Sensory Impairments

(New)
Purpose

To provide a guidebook for physical education teachers and activity leaders that offers appropriate, appealing games and activities for their students who have sensory impairments.

Project Staff

Tristan Pierce, Project Leader

Monica Vaught-Compton, Research Assistant

Lauren Lieberman, Consultant and Co-author

Jim Cowart, Co-author

Darlene Donhoff, Manufacturing Specialist

Frank Hayden, Technical Research Division Manager
Background

The first edition of this book was published by Human Kinetics, a leading publisher of physical fitness and health related materials. As visual impairment is a low incidence impairment, the authors sought a more appropriate publisher for the second edition. The original book was not accessible to braille or screen readers.

Work during FY 2009

The Project Leader obtained the original files and reviewed, updated, and edited them. Additional photos were taken and several new games added. Portions of the “teaching” section were rewritten. The manual was redesigned.

Work during FY 2010

The book will be sent out for professional review and published.

Recreation Section

Game of Squares

(Redesign)

(New)

Purpose

To redesign and reintroduce a game that has long been a product staple in APH’s catalog.

Project Staff

Karen J. Poppe, Tactile Graphics Project Leader

Katherine Corcoran, Pattern/Model Maker

Tom Poppe, Pattern/Model Maker

Background

In October 2008, a facility fire experienced by an outside vendor of many of APH’s urethane products destroyed the tooling for Game of Squares, specifically the grid board. This fire was the impetus for the redesign, update, and/or re-tooling of many of APH’s products.

The Game of Squares is an adaptation of the two-player pencil and paper game in which dots are connected to make squares. Two players alternate placing white plastic “sides” on the board to enclose a square. Completed squares are covered with the player’s marker. The markers differ in texture and color. The player who covers the most squares wins. The original game board has a 16-square, blue game grid and storage areas for game pieces.
Expecting that the game still had merit, but could benefit from an aesthetic and tactile “facelift,” the project leader conducted a survey to garner feedback from those using the original version. Feedback received from survey respondents indicated that although still valuable, the original version of the game could be improved in the following ways:

• 
  Improved overall visual look
  
• 
  Texture enhancement
  
• 
  More secure way of fastening “sides” of squares
  
• 
  Increase size of grid
  
• 
  More convenient storage method
  

One teacher noted that “the game develops strategy and problem solving skills. Because of the grid layout, it reinforces many spatial concepts (rows, columns, left, right, etc.). Like all interactive games, it encourages peer interaction and turn-taking.” With this reassurance that Game of Squares was still worthwhile with some updated design features, the project leader submitted a Product Submission Form in January 2009. In March 2009, the product was approved for development by the Product Advisory and Review Committee (PARC).
Work during FY 2009

In April 2009, with in-house approval to proceed with the update and reintroduction of the Game of Squares, the project leader conducted a “Brainstorming” PDC meeting to request additional ideas from staff representing various departments. The project leader came to the meeting with some preliminary ideas, including a mock-up of a new game layout involving a decorative border around a larger grid area. Masking overlays were suggested to minimize the playing area, if needed. Intention to utilize the same u-channel “side” pieces was proposed, allowing game players to snap them onto clear, vacuum-formed grid dividers. Visual/tactile game tokens of a more interesting style were suggested as well.

Product activities were a bit sluggish the remainder of the fiscal year due to the project staff’s involvement in higher priority, and closer-to-availability projects. However, by August, some actual construction of the game grid was underway.
Work planned for FY 2010

The project staff will continue to prepare the updated version of Game of Squares for field test purposes. Multiple prototypes will be built, game instructions expanded and enhanced, and field test sites located. Feedback from field reviewers will directly impact the end design. Final tooling efforts will be initiated and completed, and development of final product specifications will be completed. Re-introduction of the game as an APH product is expected in late 2010 or early 2011.