KLANGPUNKT
Inclusive Learning System for Children with Visual Impairments
BACHELOR
'S
THESIS
COMMUNICATION DESIGN
HFG SCHWÄBISCH GMÜND
ANTONIA GÖTZ
PROF. DR. DAGMAR RINKER
COMMUNICATION DESIGN
HFG SCHWÄBISCH GMÜND
ANTONIA GÖTZ
PROF. DR. DAGMAR RINKER
„ Like HAMMERING it into your BRAIN ”
One of our blind interview partners described learning Braille as “hammering it into your brain.” In Braille, letters are encoded through specific dot combinations within a 6-dot grid. These combinations must be memorized by blind and visually impaired people in order to read — a process that is often exhausting and not very enjoyable.
Klangpunkt is a playful learning system that introduces children to letters and reading in an engaging way. It builds a bridge between conventional printed letters (black print) and Braille, focusing on their similarities while celebrating their differences.
The game is designed for families with blind children of reading age, their friends, and inclusive educational spaces such as kindergartens, schools, and special education centers.
The game is designed for families with blind children of reading age, their friends, and inclusive educational spaces such as kindergartens, schools, and special education centers.
Explore the Tactile Alphabet
The game includes 26 letter cards with tactile illustrations, designed in high-contrast colors to ensure readability for people with color blindness. Each card features printed letters alongside embossed Braille dots to highlight the connection between the two writing systems. On the back, standardized alliteration sentences are printed in both black print and Braille.
THE BRAILLE MODULE
The Braille module is a crescent-shaped wooden box with six holes representing Braille dots. Unlike standard Braille boards, it offers greater flexibility and interactivity. Each dot is linked to a piano note — this way, every letter produces a unique sound, and full names can be turned into melodies.
An Arduino microcontroller inside the module detects which buttons are pressed and plays the sounds through a speaker. Additional wooden plugs and tactile letters in printed script help children explore both Braille and the alphabet used by sighted people through touch.
An Arduino microcontroller inside the module detects which buttons are pressed and plays the sounds through a speaker. Additional wooden plugs and tactile letters in printed script help children explore both Braille and the alphabet used by sighted people through touch.
CONNECTING WRITING SYSTEMS
A typeface was developed that combines Braille and printed letters to bridge the gap between the two writing systems and promote communication. It helps children who lose their sight later to better understand Braille dot patterns and shows both sighted and blind children that multiple writing systems exist.
The Braille dots are color-coded and embossed in standard size, allowing children to get accustomed to the feel of the dots. This enables both blind and sighted readers to access the same document comfortably.
Guidance Materials for Parents and Teachers
The accompanying booklet provides parents and educators with instructions and ideas for using the learning materials at home and in educational settings. It includes sample exercises for using the modules, cards, and letters, as well as suggestions to encourage children to engage with their surroundings.
WEB
The website serves as an information portal for the project, showcasing the products and linking to a shop for game components. It offers open-source materials, an audio guide, and DIY instructions for cards and modules available for download.
SOCIAL MEDIA
The Instagram account shares photos, impressions, and behind-the-scenes insights from the "Klangpunkt" process. Its personal atmosphere helps build a community of parents and educators of blind children.
@2025 STAMATIA GALANIS
IMPRESSUM
IMPRESSUM