Visually impaired board game enthusiasts can buy braille, tactile, and large-size versions of many popular board games, including Monopoly, Scrabble, checkers, chess, and cribbage, according to the American Foundation for the Blind. For the serious Scrabble player, The Official Scrabble Player’s Dictionary is available in Braille. Large print and Braille playing cards are also available.

Some old board games can also be adapted easily. For example, standard checker pieces can be distinguished by a textured surface glued to the center of either the red or black set. Tactile dice are available commercially, although many standard dice already have dots that can be identified by touch. The same is true of dominoes.

In a group, if no adapted version of a game is readily available, it works well for a sighted friend to team with a blind partner. The sighted person gathers the necessary information and both partners participate equally in strategic decision making.

For more information about games for the visually impaired, visit: http://www.afb.org/seniorsite.asp?SectionID=67&DocumentID=3284