This special project is very close to our hearts. It all began with a chance order from Ms. Wiesner, the head of early childhood education at the Aschaffenburg Institute for the Blind. This order inspired us to start a collaboration that specifically focuses on the needs of children with delayed or impaired visual development, as well as children without visual perception – and is also designed for all children. Our products are deliberately designed to be appealing and beneficial to every child, regardless of impairment. After several visits to the Institute for the Blind and intensive discussions with the dedicated on-site staff, we were able to develop a special product range. This collection is aimed at children who need special support in the areas of perception and development. From the very beginning, the collaboration was characterized by creativity and commitment, and something unique has emerged that benefits children, parents, and educators alike.
Our specially developed products playfully promote tactile perception, hearing, and motor development – skills that are particularly important for children with visual impairments, but are also valuable for every child. By incorporating feedback and ideas from local professionals, we have been able to ensure that our products meet the high standards of early childhood education and provide valuable support to educators in their daily work.
In conversation with Mrs. Wiesner
Background and motivation
How did you get in touch with Jolly Designs?
Colleagues from early childhood education, who themselves have young children, became aware of Jolly Design's products and recommended them for our children's development. What particularly appealed to us about the products was their great design, their feel, and the selected topics. Since we wanted to order a large number of the books right away, I contacted you and asked about a discount. We were pleased to receive immediate, positive feedback from you, offering us a collaboration, which we gladly accepted. This made it possible for us to advise you on the special needs of visually impaired or blind children and subsequently have new products to choose from.
Development process
What special needs and requirements of visually impaired and blind children were taken into account during product development?
- Good contrast
- Distance between the individual images or objects
- Solid color background
- Black and white elements
- Avoiding “overcrowded” pages and overlapping elements
- Expansion of the tactile elements
- Development of special books for blind children
Product features
What specific functions and features do the products have to help visually impaired and blind children?
This somewhat repeats the previous point. In addition, individual elements can be removed from the book but are attached to the page with a thread so they don't get lost. There are no sharp edges (like with some paper books) that a blind child could cut themselves on. Because of the felt and fabric design, the pages are not too close together, making them easier to turn the pages. Compared to paper or board books, fabric and felt allow for a new tactile experience. Many interactive experiences are possible with the books, as closures and pockets are incorporated. All in all, the Jolly books offer a wide variety of experiences.
Feedback and improvements
What feedback have you received from children and their parents about the products?
We receive consistently positive feedback. Thanks to the beautiful design, not only the children but also the parents enjoy the books. The detailed feedback often concerns the points I already mentioned in the product features. Incidentally, the parrot with the shimmering sequins is very popular with the children. Glittery objects are very visually appealing.
Impact and success
Do you have any examples of how the products have improved children's lives?
It is very difficult to attribute success directly to the Jolly books, as we use different materials in each lesson with the children and therefore cannot say what has particularly favored a development.
What measurable successes or positive changes have you observed since the launch of the products?
Ultimately, the success lies in the fact that children enjoy playing with the products, which therefore precisely meet their needs. A product that doesn't take visual impairment into account will quickly be discarded.
How did you get in touch with Jolly Designs?
Colleagues from early childhood education, who themselves have young children, became aware of Jolly Design's products and recommended them for our children's development. What particularly appealed to us about the products was their great design, their feel, and the selected topics. Since we wanted to order a large number of the books right away, I contacted you and asked about a discount. We were pleased to receive immediate, positive feedback from you, offering us a collaboration, which we gladly accepted. This made it possible for us to advise you on the special needs of visually impaired or blind children and subsequently have new products to choose from.
What special needs and requirements of visually impaired and blind children were taken into account during product development?
- Good contrast
- Distance between the individual images or objects
- Solid color background
- Black and white elements
- Avoiding “overcrowded” pages and overlapping elements
- Expansion of the tactile elements
- Development of special books for blind children
What specific functions and features do the products have to help visually impaired and blind children?
This somewhat repeats the previous point. In addition, individual elements can be removed from the book but are attached to the page with a thread so they don't get lost. There are no sharp edges (like with some paper books) that a blind child could cut themselves on. Because of the felt and fabric design, the pages are not too close together, making them easier to turn the pages. Compared to paper or board books, fabric and felt allow for a new tactile experience. Many interactive experiences are possible with the books, as closures and pockets are incorporated. All in all, the Jolly books offer a wide variety of experiences.
What feedback have you received from children and their parents about the products?
We receive consistently positive feedback. Thanks to the beautiful design, not only the children but also the parents enjoy the books. The detailed feedback often concerns the points I already mentioned in the product features. Incidentally, the parrot with the shimmering sequins is very popular with the children. Glittery objects are very visually appealing.
Do you have any examples of how the products have improved children's lives?
It is very difficult to attribute success directly to the Jolly books, as we use different materials in each lesson with the children and therefore cannot say what has particularly favored a development.
What measurable successes or positive changes have you observed since the launch of the products?
Ultimately, the success lies in the fact that children enjoy playing with the products, which therefore precisely meet their needs. A product that doesn't take visual impairment into account will quickly be discarded.
Achieve more together
For us at the Blindeninstitut in Aschaffenburg, this collaboration is truly beneficial. You have developed products for us that we couldn't otherwise find on the open market. We had previously designed and glued some of the products ourselves, which involved time-consuming handicraft work. The results weren't always attractive. Now we receive matching products combined with an appealing design and excellent workmanship. We are very pleased about this and hope to continue this creative collaboration with you.
For us at Jolly Designs, it's a great privilege to support this project with the Institute for the Blind. We're grateful to work with such a dedicated team who work every day to improve the lives of these children. It fills us with joy that our products not only provide new opportunities for the children and their families to develop, but also support the educators in their important work.