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Visual and Auditory Challenges

How to support with visual or auditory impairments in Spintopia

KT Leota avatar
Written by KT Leota
Updated this week

VISION

For residents with vision challenges, here are a few tools and workarounds that have helped other communities:

  • Printable Spintopia boards you can laminate or put in plastic sleeves so players can keep a copy in front of them.

  • Zoom in on the puzzle by pressing Shift + “+” (and Shift + “-” to zoom out), or using your browser’s zoom.

  • Cast or plug into a large TV for a bigger display.

  • Team “Letter Trackers”: Pairing with teammates who can help track letters on their board.

    • Assign a teammate to track the puzzle on a whiteboard or large flip chart for everyone to see.

  • High-Contrast Mode

    • Use a display setting with bold, high-contrast colors to make puzzles and letters easier to see.

    • You can adjust the monitor/TV settings or use your computer’s accessibility settings.

  • Portable Magnification Tools

    • Keep handheld magnifiers or digital magnifiers at the tables so residents can zoom in on laminated boards or smaller print.

  • Closer Seating / Smaller Groups

    • Arrange chairs closer to the TV or screen, or split into smaller game stations so players are closer to the action.

AUDITORY

For hearing difficulties, many communities find it works well to:

  • Buddy System

    • Have a hearing player sit next to a player with hearing loss to repeat letters directly to them at a comfortable volume.

    • The host can offer letter suggestions directly to that resident

  • Repetition and team support often make the game much more engaging

  • Printable Spintopia boards you can laminate or put in plastic sleeves so players can keep a copy in front of them.

  • Captions or Live Subtitles

    • If you’re narrating, use a free speech-to-text app on a tablet near the player so they can follow along with what’s being said.

  • Signal Cards for Responses

    • Give each player two cards — “Guess a Letter” and “Solve the Puzzle” — so they can hold them up to indicate their turn instead of relying on hearing their name called.

  • Use Microphones or Portable Voice Amplifiers

    • Especially in larger spaces, a simple portable voice amplifier can help everyone hear instructions clearly.

For Both Visual & Auditory Challenges

  • Pre-Game Team Huddles
    Review the puzzle category, rules, and letter board before starting, so everyone begins on the same page.

  • Consistent Hosts
    Familiar voices, pacing, and gestures help residents follow along more easily.

  • Slow the Pace Slightly
    A 10–15% slower rhythm gives everyone more processing time without dragging the game.


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