VIDBE-Q 2025 Volume 70 Issue 3
There were regional differences in the toys and games identified by the
participants. In illustration, participants from Germany discussed board games such
as Shut the Box. This game is also known as "Klappenspiel" or "Klappbox." It is a
dice game for two or more players in which the goal is to flip down all the
numbered tiles on a game board. The aim is either to close all the tiles or, after a
certain number of rounds, to have the lowest score. In contrast, participants from
India mentioned board games such as Pallankuzhi and Snakes and Ladder.
Pallankuzhi is a traditional South Indian two-player strategy game played with a
wooden board and shells or seeds, requiring strategic thinking and focus. The goal
is to capture more shells than the opponent by moving them around the board
according to specific rules. Snakes and Ladders is a simplified version of the
Indian game "Paramapadham", symbolizing life's journey with ladders
representing virtues and snakes representing vices. Players take turns rolling dice
and moving tokens on a numbered board, aiming to reach the final square first. For
example, a participant in India shared, "I enjoyed playing board games like
Pallankuzhi because they allowed me to think ahead and plan my moves
carefully."
Only one participant mentioned toys and games specifically designed or
augmented for children with visual impairments. This participant spoke about
tactile and picture books. The other toys and games were accessible due to their
