StreetScape: Gamified Tactile Interactions for Collaborative Learning and Play (2503.21897v1)

Abstract: Spatial reasoning and collaboration are essential for childhood development, yet blind and visually impaired (BVI) children often lack access to tools that foster these skills. Tactile maps and assistive technologies primarily focus on individual navigation, overlooking the need for playful, inclusive, and collaborative interactions. We address this with StreetScape, a tactile street puzzle that enhances spatial skills and interdependence between BVI and sighted children. Featuring modular 3D-printed tiles, tactile roadways, and customizable decorative elements, StreetScape allows users to construct and explore cityscapes through gamified tactile interaction. Developed through an iterative design process, it integrates dynamic assembly and tactile markers for intuitive navigation, promoting spatial learning and fostering meaningful social connections. This work advances accessible design by demonstrating how tactile tools can effectively bridge educational and social gaps through collaborative play, redefining assistive technologies for children as a scalable platform that merges learning, creativity, and inclusivity.